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1971 Cicostar

1970 saw a worldwide energy crisis looming, and the French responded with a typical no-nonsense down-to-earth philosophy which had enabled them to survive such crises in the past. Small regional companies would be encouraged to build light, simple energy-efficient vehicles under a new set of government regulations. Some thirty companies responded over the next decade to build an astonishing variety of minicars. Unorthodox and spartan both in nature and appearance, such vehicles could only have come from France.

Of course, they utilized modern materials, and took advantage of recent developments in small-engine technology.

All vehicles with a 49.9cc engine could now be driven without a driver's license and by anyone over 14 years of age at a top speed of 45 kph.

The manufacturer CICO took this opportunity to develop a comfortable vehicle that fitted these requirements, the Cicostar.

Touted as "la plus elegante des petites voitures", it seated two people, had rear-wheel drive, and a variable automatic transmission by GRIMECA. Vitues extolled in the literature were "paper-free" motoring, elegance, economy, ease of handling, and practicality.

Manufacturer: CICO, Limoges France

Model: Cicostar, LCS 79 Motor: Motobecane 2-stroke Body: Fibreglass
Years Built: 1971 - 1983 No. Cylinders: 1 Chassis: Steel Tube
No. Produced: Displacement: 49.9 cc Suspension Front: Strut
No. Surviving: Horsepower: 3.2 Suspension Rear: Strut
Length: 194 cm Gearbox: Variable-Speed-Transmission Steering: Rack & Pinion
Width: 120 cm Starter: Brakes: Hydraulic
Weight: Electrics:12 v 4 Wheels: 4.00 x 8"
Interior: Bench Ignition: coil Top Speed: 45 kph

© 2002