A piece of motorsport history is set to go under the hammer as Broad Arrow Auctions prepares to auction a 1990 Citroën ZX Rally Raid at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on May 17. With an estimated price between €475,000 and €525,000, the rare competition prototype is expected to draw major attention from collectors and rally enthusiasts worldwide.
Chassis number VF7RT1GR094GR0015, also known as C05, is notable as one of only a handful of ZX Rally Raid cars built by Citroën Sport to dominate the world’s most grueling endurance races. This particular vehicle was driven by 1981 World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen during its competition debut at the 1990 Pharaohs Rally, where it finished an impressive fourth overall.
Equipped with a turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine producing 320 horsepower, the car features four-wheel drive, a seven-speed manual gearbox, and self-locking front and rear differentials. It competed in five major rallies from 1990 to 1993, including multiple Paris-Dakar campaigns, and helped lay the groundwork for Citroën’s eventual dominance in cross-country rallying.
Following its retirement, C05 remained under the care of Citroën Heritage until 2011, when it was acquired by a private collector. It was then fully restored by Team SMG Challenge, under the supervision of noted rally expert Philippe Gache, with meticulous attention to mechanical and cosmetic accuracy.
The car is now presented in its original 1990 Camel livery, painstakingly restored to match its debut appearance, and comes with extensive documentation including period photos, race data, pace notes, and even original Citroën Sport racing suits from the 1991 season.
Previously exhibited at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Salon Privé Concours, and other prestigious venues, this ZX Rally Raid stands as a testament to France’s rally heritage and Citroën’s engineering prowess.
With its unmatched provenance, race history, and condition, the car represents an unrepeatable opportunity for collectors seeking a turnkey icon from the golden era of off-road motorsport.
