Ok so after some intense Leboncoin action last night.... I'm confused

Why does this http://www.leboncoin.fr/vi/73284294.htm?ca=4_s 1976 van have large ripples, and this http://www.leboncoin.fr/vi/64679260.htm?ca=4_s 1975 van have small ripples?

...and this one from '73 has large ripples too http://www.leboncoin.fr/vi/65176918.htm?ca=4_s

... just curious

It depends on the size of the pebble. The smaller the pebble the small the ripples

huh?

Probably because somebody's stuck AK350 panels onto a later aks400.

Ripples changed from small to large around 1970 - at about the same time as 350s had the roof raised to become 400s.

There may be some late 350s which had large ripples from the factory.
There may be some early 400s which had small ripples from the factory.
These become more likely if you consider vans made outside France.
It's Citroen. All bets are off...

BUT - I'd lay odds that a French-market '75 400 would have been big ripple from new.

AKS400!!

Bugger. My money was on Jono. He must be busy.

Sorry Adria, I can't always be counted on!

As certain as it's possible to be, it's a surgery job...

As far as production outside France goes, I can only say that the lovely Spanish-built early '73 AKS 400 which used to belong to Roger Griffiths had delights such as an M4 engine, and curly door handles, not to mention the ornate s/s badge on the back, but nevertheless was with large ripples. I say had, because all those retro features disappeared when it was 'restored' - in an urban environment, as you might have guessed... It also gained an identity from 1953 at the same time, which made it by far the earliest pre-production prototype 400!

'nuff said.

was it For Sale at Bicton, Pete?

It was certainly there - can't remember whether it was for sale, though. It subsequently had some 'interesting' times, but that's a whole other story...