THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
- Production period
- 1930
- Body style
- Coupé de Ville
- Type
- One-off
- Production
- 1
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR
Coachbuilding, design & conversions
PRICE & SALES RECORD
Vehicle value
- Original price
- Not documented
- Latest recorded sale
- Not documented
01 / THE STORY
History & context
The Citroën C6 Lictoria Sex is a unique and historically significant vehicle, distinguished by its Touring landaulet bodywork. This special car was donated by Citroën Italia to Pope Pius XI in 1930, marking the Jubilee of his Priesthood and commemorating the signing of the Lateran Pacts the year prior. The vehicle was designed to reflect both the grandeur of the papacy and the elegance of Citroën’s engineering. The term “Lictoria Sex” refers to the car’s connection to the papacy and its symbolic role in representing the Vatican’s status. The landaulet body style, with its open roof and enclosed rear compartment, was chosen to provide the Pope with both a sense of security and visibility during public appearances. The luxurious design was befitting of its prestigious recipient and served as a mobile icon of papal authority during the period. Today, the Citroën C6 Lictoria Sex is part of the Vatican Museums’ impressive collection, where it remains an intriguing artifact of automotive and religious history. As one of the most notable examples of Citroën’s craftsmanship and bespoke vehicle construction, it also serves as a reminder of the cultural and political climate of the early 20th century, particularly in relation to the Vatican’s role in Italian society. This car’s rarity, historical context, and connection to the Vatican make it a true automotive treasure, linking the world of luxury automobiles with the deep-rooted traditions of the Catholic Church.
02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY
Specifications & construction
Production & construction
- Production
- 1
- Production type
- One-off
Design & manufacture
- Body Builder · Documented
- Touring
- Manufacturer · Documented
- Citroën
06 / EVENTS & AWARDS
Events & awards
No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 4 photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source type |
|---|---|
| Citroën Origins — C6 and Lictoria Sex archive www.citroenorigins.co.uk | Manufacturer official archive |
| Giman Collection — Citroën C6 Lictoria Sex 1930 www.giman-collection.it | Documented collection history |
| NewsAuto — Citroën C6 Lictoria Sex restoration history www.newsauto.it | Independent historical feature |







THE CONVERSATION
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