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Manufacturer: CITROEN
Page 48
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Model:
Whatever else you say about Citroen's Ready to Run range of off-the-shelf body conversions, there's no denying that the prices are competitive this 3.5-tonne Relay tipper will hit your cheque book to the tune of just E12.995. But then it is worth remembering the old jibes about knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Looking first at the chassis-cab end of the equation, we find a product that is still at a relatively early stage of its life cycle -in many ways it's a bunch of contradictions. The suspension is harsh, with even small road studs feeling like house bricks, but it compensates with excellent handling and steering.
The cab and dash layout are thoughtfully designed, providing excellent accommodation for the crew and the odds and ends of daily life. ' Although the plastics used are not comparable to the latest standards set by the Germans, they do the job in an honest workmanlike way, but things like the rattle from within the B-pillar and the creaky rear cab wall on this example pose questions about build quality.
Even visibility is a contradiction, with poor side vision through the small windows and thick pillars but truly excellent mirrors. Despite its relatively modest 100hp the Relay's performance was quite acceptable, giving away just four seconds on the timed hill climb to the Transit 140, helped by the slick dash-mounted gearshift.
The tipper part of the pre-packaged deal comes courtesy of Tipmaster, built around a steel floor and headboard unit with mesh in-filled ladder rack. Sides are one-piece aluminium extrusions with a simple double-action tailboard, all retained by recessed catches on zinc-plated corner posts.
The tipping process is controlled by the familiar Tipmaster wanderlead, allowing out-of-cab operation.