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	Spare parts groups

The classical references where the group number is the first digit in the number part

Old and new groups

Back in the days (in the 50's and 60's) when most spare parts numbers consisted of a model code and a number (possibly followed by something more), you could tell directly from the first digit in the spare part number, which section of the car, the part belonged to.

This type of spare parts numbers consists of a letter prefix denoting the model, a group number of normally 3 digits that is specific for each part of the vehicle (the first digit of which denotes the main spare parts group, the main subject of this article). This 3-digit number is also used in repair manuals and other places as a reference to a particular part of the car. Then follows yet another number of 1-3 digits for each particular spare part, and finally there might be a letter denoting versions/variants of the particular part, i.e. left/right or change in appearance/design. For example is AZ 313 01 a clutch disc for a 2CV, of the type used with a thrust bearing in graphite, whereas AY 313 01 is a clutch disc for use with a ball bearing. AZ 313 01 a is a disc with 10 splines used until April 1966, whereas AZ 313 01 c is a type with 18 splines, used after this date. If such suffix letters are used to denote the difference between left and right, the first letter in alphabetic sequence usually signifies left side.

The group prefix starts with a digit, corresponding to which main part of the car the spare part belongs to. In french, this is called the organ group (groupe d'organes). This group number is followed by a one- or two-letter code that denotes the model, the spare part was originally intended for. This model code is explained in another article here on the site.

Below, you find a summary of the spare parts groups. These have changed somewhat over time, so the precise division for each model and period must be seen in the particular spare parts catalogue. In general, however, the groups are mostly as in the table below.

When the change occurs from the old classification to the new is not a precise point in time, but the main rule is that the old group numbers kan be seen as the first digit in spare parts numbers of the type H 912 6 (where, for instance, the group number is 9), and as first digit in sheet numbers in spare parts catalogues and in numbers of operations in repair manuals. The new classification can be seen as the group numbers in prefixes to spare part numbers and as the section numbers in spare parts catalogues after around 1972.

Some examples: For a number of years in the first half of the 1990's, Citroën used this type of labels where there was a special "family" field, which sometimes contained the complete prefix (group+model) and sometimes just the group number - here "8", which shows that this is a part of the interior.

The model code is not missing because the parts fits several models - this part only fits a Visa. Gradually, during the 90's the prefix was transformed into the just the group number, as here, and further to the point where it completely vanished from the spare part labels.

Here, the spare parts group 7 is part of the prefix 7GX in front of the proper spare part number.

Here, there is no separate group number, but we don't need it since this part is named according to the classical scheme 1948-70, making it simple to see that this part belongs to a HY in group 2.

If you look closely, you see a small "4" between the asterisks in front of the spare part number. This shows that it is group 4 - hence a brake part - but no hint as to what model we are dealing with (CX, actually).

This screw fits on an LN (as you can see from the model code RB), and since there is a prefix (9RB) of the newer type after 1972, we have to use the newer classification where 9 means the this screw is a general type that can potentially belong in several places on the car.

A word of caution, though; On the newer parts, there is no group number on the label. This reverse light switch for an AX belongs to group 5 according to the catalogue, and the number "1" on the label refers instead to the quantity (quantité) in the package.

As always, you need to retain a sense of scepticism. There may be errors at play, even in the group number, as you see here, where the group number is "A". It should of course have been "4".

When this system of classification into groups started, Citroën actually used a couple of pages in the spare parts catalogues to explain it. This listing is taken from the first 2CV spare parts catalogue (1953):

An example of the newer classification - here from a 1987 price list.

"Code Magasin" - an esoteric episode 1971-74

This classification was called "Code Magasin" and it was based on where a part belonged in the warehouse, and therefore it is akin to the "Rayon" system described in another article.

In those years right after 1970, where the new numbers of the type 5 000 000 emerged and the new classification into 8 groups started as chapters in the spare parts catalogues, these numbers were preceded with a prefix consisting of one digit and one letter. The letter is clearly a model designation, but the number is not any of the known group numbers described above - neither according to the old nor the new system. The number may even be 0.

A example of this can be seen in the D-model catalogue 611 from 1972, where a complete motor is in group 8. This, of course, makes no sense according to the group classifications we are otherwise used to.

...and from the same catalogue, you see a bunch of clutch components belonging to group 1, whereas the clutch control unit is in group 9

Yet another example from this catalogue, where the air intake to the fuel injection system is in group 4, while the throttle axle is in group 1

From the Méhari catalogue 632 from 1974, where the washer pump is in group 2 (instrad of group 5, where it usually belongs)

This type of prefix was also used on the labels of the spare parts. This mirror, as an example, is normally in group 7 (or 5 according to the old system), but at this point in time it belonged to the group number 2.

I have observed group numbers according to "Code Magasin" from catalogue 601 (H) from 1971, up to and including catalogue 648 (D) from June 1974. In this D-model catalogue, you can see group numbers according to both the "Code Magasin" and "Code Groupe" (aka the "new") systems, side by side in complete disorder. It actually looks as though the new system has been gradually phased in, already from 1972, meaning that this system of "Code Magasin" numbering only was the order of the day for a year or two!

The next catalogue in cronological sequence, I have access to, is no. 659 (2CV) from April 1975. With only a few exceptions, this catalogue solely contains the new group numbers.

The explanation of the system can be found in the price lists 600-H from 1971-73 which contain this table:

Combining this table with the usage that can be derived from the catalogues, my fair summary of what the groups contained, is this:

This suggests a similarity with the "Rayon" system, which was used in the time leading up to this period. The "Rayon" system had been simplified into just three categories and it seemed like it was otherwise destined to disappear completely. But here, it is like the organization of the spare parts stock and handling is visible to us again - for a short while.

An example of the factory exchange parts, that had their own group 9, is this ID 19 steering relay lever and its red exchange label unfolded. In the small inset from the pricelist, it is seen that you had to pay a deposit of 18 FRF (including TVA) until the old part was returned.