BX bonnet.

[benifotrem1]

Hello to everybody.

I have a question that I'm sure is easy for you to answer but I would like to know why some bonnets fitted to the BX are metal? I was under the impression that they where all made from plastic. I have just acquired a BX 19GT and I was surprised to see that the bonnet is metal!
Please somebody help me with this as I can't sleep at night
All the best

[Mothman]

Basically bud, some were metal some were plastic. no real reason. I have models with both metal and plastic bonnets. Probably due to material costs at the time.
Its not unusual so dont worry about it.

Andy

[benifotrem1]

Thanks Andy

[Tinkley]

However I believe the trim and radiator deflector/grill is different for each. It certainly is on my two Athenas one plastic one metal bonnet and different trim in this area, otherwise identical. They were built two months apart max, at least based on registration - been to lazy to check Cit ID No between the two...

[BXImage]

On my Image and on a donor Image Estate (both 1992) bonnets are metal. On all other BX's of my friends bonnets are plastic - 16 RS, Pallas, 16 TRS, 14 TRE, 14 Calanque, 16 Velvet... For some reason, all Image (UK Athena/Meteor) BX's I saw had metal bonnets.

[rutter123]

Was it just the high end "performance" models such as gti's t/d's that had plastic bonnets?

[Mothman]

No bud, my 1990 BX16TGS Estate has got one, no performance motor.

Andy

[Defender110]

Was it just the high end "performance" models such as gti's t/d's that had plastic bonnets?

Nope the vast majority of BX's had plastic no mater what model,all my diesel BX's (6)have had plastic.

[Mothman]

All but one of mine have metal ones so i dont think there's rhyme nor reason to it.

Andy

[benifotrem1]

Blummin French do it to confuse us brits hahaha

[MULLEY]

My TZD Turbo & my old 8v Gti had/has plastic, the TXD was metal. Totally random i reckon.

[Way2go]

The change to metal from GRP is curious because new tooling would have been required and this is not cheap. If the change was not for structural concerns then it can only be assumed that it was a cost reduction exercise for the smaller end-of-life production quantities. Even with the substantial cost of new tooling the unit costs may have been cheaper from competitive quotes of the metal manufacturers than a previous single source GRP manufacturer?

[Mothman]

I dont think they ever changed, they just produced both. Dont think it matters, they both fit equally well.

Andy

[Way2go]

I dont think they ever changed, they just produced both.
Andy

If that was the case, why did Citroen's advertising place great store on the fact that many components including the bonnet and tailgate were manufactured out of plastic to give weight savings?

[benifotrem1]

I have a brochure for the bx dated 09/1985 and it quotes (The bx is the first mass production car to use the latest synthetic materials on large, non structural areas like the hatchback door, and on most models, the bonnet also)