The Citroen LN and Talbot Samba were basically the same car, although neither was popular. The Citroen wasn't quirky as other Citroens of that era were, and Talbot never took off as a brand (although it was respected in the 1930s).
Basically a 3 door 104.
Not seen one in UK for many years but they're still around in France.
The 3 door 104, the LN and the Samba all looked alike but IIRC there were variations in floorpan length.
I had one of these, a 104ZS - ANB736T - orange with black 'go faster' stripes. The Z indicated a 3 door 'shortcut' version and S an upsized/uprated engine. In mine it was an 1124cc unit with a twin choke carb giving around 60bhp. Along with Renault 5TS it was one of the first 'warm' hatches. Unlike the 5 the gearbox was run Mini fashion in the oil sump.
When it was on song it was a lovely car to drive. Nippy, chuckable and near turbine smooth/quiet at speed, or at least it seemed that way after a Mini. Front seats were 'rally' style, supportive and extremely comfortable. Z versions were very cramped in back, not much more than a 2+2 in reality. Four doors were much better.
Achilles heel was the wet liner engine which required it's cooling system to perform to spec. Unfortunately a dodgy coolling fan earth meant that all to often it didn't. Citroen preferred to supply a clock instead of a temperature gauge. An orange light on the dash indicated that damage was occuring followed smartly by a red one that indicated head gasket and liners were fully cooked.
As the engine was a tight fit and canted seventy odd degrees to rear anything major was an engine out job. New CHG and liner re-seat was £3-400 back in 1983. About the same for a clutch.
Compared with other seventies-eighties models it was fairly resistant to rust but the rear suspension mounts were a weak spot.
You'd need to be skilled and committed to take one on as a restoration.
Edited by Bromptonaut on 22/11/2013 at 10:34
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