Walking the Amsterdam streets with the famous automotive writer Blake Z. Rong, this was the first car that merited a mid-sentence HOLY SHIT realization. A Citroën LNA of all things!
Complete with a few knocks and a totally matte paint, it looked like a very good runaround if you like your Citroëns tiny and shortened.
The LNA was based on the short-wheelbase version of the Peugeot 104, and was the first badge-engineered Citroën twin of a Peugeot. The first cars were called LN, and only had a two-cylinder 602cc engine. The LNA later gained the 1100cc engine from a Citroén Visa, and was somewhat more substantial – the A standing for “Athlétique“. Really.
The model names reflected the DS/ID idea of being pronounced in the way that there was an actual word or name there (déesse as in goddess, idée as in idea) – the LN was then called Hélène and the LNA Hélèna.
The Citroën looks like it’s purpose-built to squeeze into a tiny parking spot. The bumpers are made for bumping, and panel and cluster fit look like it doesn’t matter if they get a bit crooked.
Citroën built the LN/LNA from 1976 to 1986, and it was replaced by the more modern AX. The third sister car to be spawned by this bodyshell was the Talbot Samba, which was available from 1981 to 1987. The Peugeot 104 was built until 1988.
[Images: Copyright 2013 Hooniverse/Antti Kautonen]
![http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimages/342716/LNA_Canelle_profil.jpg"](http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimages/342716/LNA_Canelle_profil.jpg"){kind=link}
![http://ns7.freeheberg.com/~shadock1/auto/2011.10.29/IMGP8475.jpg"](http://ns7.freeheberg.com/~shadock1/auto/2011.10.29/IMGP8475.jpg"){kind=link}
![http://www.talbot-simca.net/ImagesBis/Samba_Sympa_profil.jpg"](http://www.talbot-simca.net/ImagesBis/Samba_Sympa_profil.jpg"){kind=link}
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