First Series 1 V624v in the UK

[MTXM]

As some of you might remember, in a post earlier this year there were illustrations of a sadly neglected 'G' plate mandarin 24v, which languished on a driveway in Birmingham before being dismantled for parts by fellow XMer (Smoothcrusier/ Andy) and myself. The registration of the car in June 1990 pre-dated the UK official launch in August and the area code 'JB' for Reading/Berkshire suggested to me that the original owner was almost certainly Citroen UK.
Even more interestingly, I have just acquired three press photographs of two more mandarin 'G' registered 24vs through ebay (see below) and after some further research it appears there were originally at least SIX identical cars, as follows:
G785 BJB, G786 BJB, G787 BJB
G795 BJB, G796 BJB, G797 BJB
Of the six cars 785, 795 and 796 appear to still exist, whilst the two illustrated cars 786 and 797 and car we broke 787 sadly do not. Can anyone shed any more light on this discovery and where are those three other early cars now? I would also like to establish where those photos were taken, which from the scenery looks to me like possibly the Lake District?
Regards, Matthew T.

[xmexclusive]

Hi Matthew

Years ago my wife bought an AX to be shared by our two daughters.
The idea was that it would cause them to cooperate and stop quarrelling so much.
The AX was a Citroen UK block registered car that spent its early life in the Slough area.
The Reg was G819 BJB.

John

[MTXM]

Hi John,
I am sure you are right that the cars were 'block registered', which also seemed to have been done a great deal with early series XM. It would be interesting to know the reason for registering quite a large number of top-spec. models ahead of the launch. Perhaps the cars were allocated to MDs or the like or used for promotion?
With regards,
Matthew T.

[citroenxm]

The MD theroy is possibly quite true! I think the MD's always get the lastest flagship cars..

Our local citroen dealer had a C6 when it was new, but not for long.. so the MD thing could be very true.

Fancy finding G reg models! I was convinced they were all H plater or newer..

[citroenxm]

G785 has been unlicensed since 1995... Not necessarly gone, but not liable for the SORN scheme...

G786 cannot be found at all on DVLA web site.

G787 Is on SORN till 9/2013...

G795 has been unlicensed since 1998...

G796 has been unlicensed since 2002..

G797 also cannot be found...

so, the one car still as we know has been dismantled - so we should now assume they have all gone ....

[MTXM]

That is very helpful further info Paul, except 787 is the car we broke, so maybe none now survive!! Regards, Matthew T.

[citroenxm]

That is very helpful further info Paul, except 787 is the car we broke, so maybe none now survive!! Regards, Matthew T.

just edited my earlyer post to say this Mathew...

[Dieselman]

G785 has been unlicensed since 1995... Not necessarly gone, but not liable for the SORN scheme...

G786 cannot be found at all on DVLA web site.

G787 Is on SORN till 9/2013...

G795 has been unlicensed since 1998...

G796 has been unlicensed since 2002..

G797 also cannot be found...

so, the one car still as we know has been dismantled - so we should now assume they have all gone ....

Matthew, You murderer...

[MTXM]

Unfortunately 787 had been standing outside for around four-five years with the rear in a flower bed and the back ends of both sills gone, whilst there was virtually no lacquer left on the body. The car was almost complete and I removed the engine and gearbox, plus driveshafts, front wheel hubs and struts, catalysters and other 24v specific parts. In addition the leather interior was rescued and is now in another car. It was a great shame she could not be saved, especially given the credentials, but an awful lot of cash would need to have been spent to create something decent. With regards, Matthew T.

[citroenxm]

What did you do with the wood trim for the centre console if you did rescue it??

no rear cills .. that tiny bit of welding didn't warrent a waste of car.. my 24v of my own was in much worse order ... as recent posts.. but i sorted her..