Citroën Axel (Y-2). 1981–94 (prod. n/a). 3-door saloon. F/F, 652 cm³ (I2 OHC), 1129, 1299 cm³ (4 cyl. OHC). The Axel was the result of a joint venture between Citroën of France and Automobile Craiova in Romania, and ended up being built in the Eastern Bloc country as the Oltcit (1981–94). The three-door supermini looked like a Visa but was actually derived from the aborted Projet Y, and was powered by the air-cooled GSA engine. When exported to western Europe, the Axel was sold at a bargain price, but still failed to find favour thanks to poor quality and unreliability. Reasonably plentiful in eastern Europe, but a rare oddity closer to home.

Manufacturing location: Craiova, Dolj, Romania

Marque: Citroën | Successor: Citroën AX

q.v. Oltcit (1981–94), Citroën Visa