Paul Bacon’s Dualatron: 1989 Citroën BX Transformed into a 1950s-Style Futuristic Lowrider

Shark Aesthetic - In an automotive world dominated by uniform designs and computer-generated perfection, there’s something deeply refreshing about a car born purely from imagination and human touch. One such machine came to life in a modest workshop in West Leicester, built not by a corporation, but by a craftsman with vision. His name is Paul Bacon, and his very first custom creation — a striking car known as the Dualatron — remains one of the most fascinating transformations ever to come out of Britain’s custom scene. 

The 1989 Citroën BX Custom ‘Dualatron’ by Paul Bacon shows off its dramatic rear fins and sculpted tail design, blending 1950s flair with modern craftsmanship. (Picture from: PostWarClassic)

What makes the Dualatron so special isn’t just how it looks, but what it started as. Beneath its flowing, futuristic body lies the heart of a very humble car: a 1989 Citroën BX 16 TRS. Once an ordinary family hatchback, the BX was known more for practicality and its clever hydropneumatic suspension than for glamour. When Bacon bought one for just £200, it was nothing more than a tired old commuter. Yet, where most people saw scrap metal, Bacon saw possibility — a blank canvas for something extraordinary. 

The 1989 Citroën BX Custom ‘Dualatron’ by Paul Bacon displays its fierce shark-like front fascia, complete with chrome “teeth” and smooth, flowing curves. (Picture from: PostWarClassic)

Drawing inspiration from the legendary Golden Sahara, an American custom car from the 1950s famous for its glowing panels and bold futuristic design, Bacon began shaping his own dream. Over the course of 18 months, between 2010 and 2011, he rebuilt the Citroën from the ground up. Using a steel framework as the skeleton, he sculpted a completely new fiberglass body over it — a body that looked more at home in a science fiction movie than on a British street. 

Over 18 months between 2010 and 2011, Bacon rebuilt the Citroën from the ground up, crafting a new fiberglass body over a steel framework that looked more like a prop from a science fiction film than a car meant for British roads. (Picture from: PostWarClassic)

The design featured smooth, flowing lines and a front fascia decorated with tooth-like ornaments, giving it a grin reminiscent of a shark. That’s how it earned its affectionate nickname among admirers: the “Land Shark.” 

The 1989 Citroën BX Custom ‘Dualatron’ by Paul Bacon reveals a surprisingly elegant white interior that contrasts beautifully with its bold black exterior. (Picture from: PostWarClassic)

Despite its radical appearance, the Dualatron still retained the Citroën’s original mechanical components and that signature suspension system that allowed it to glide gracefully over the road — almost like it was floating. Underneath the wild exterior, the soul of the BX 16 TRS quietly remained, grounding this dreamlike machine in reality. 

The 1989 Citroën BX Custom ‘Dualatron’ by Paul Bacon appears impossibly low-slung, emphasizing its sleek fiberglass form and futuristic proportions. (Picture from: Francuskie.pl)

Interestingly, the Dualatron was Paul Bacon’s very first custom car, a daring debut that immediately established his reputation as a designer unafraid to challenge convention. His ability to turn an inexpensive, everyday car into a rolling piece of art spoke volumes about his skill, creativity, and determination. The only real hint of its BX origins was found in the dashboard — a subtle nod to where it all began. 

The 1989 Citroën BX Custom ‘Dualatron’ by Paul Bacon sits confidently with its aerodynamic shape and wide stance, a perfect mix of art and engineering. (Picture from: PostWarClassic)

The Dualatron isn’t just a car; it’s a story of transformation — of how passion and vision can turn something ordinary into something unforgettable. Bacon didn’t build it to impress collectors or win awards; he built it because he loved the process of creation itself. That’s what gives the Dualatron its soul — it’s a piece of art born from genuine enthusiasm, not commercial ambition. | OWDlqWlMgiM | xCROXZX8HKQ |

Even today, decades after the BX first hit the roads, the Dualatron stands as proof that innovation doesn’t require deep pockets or factory backing. All it takes is imagination, persistence, and a belief that beauty can be built from the most unexpected places. What once was a £200 family car became a futuristic sculpture on wheels — and that’s the magic Paul Bacon gave the world through his first masterpiece. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FRANCUSKIE.PL | POSTWARCLASSIC | RODSNSODS | FORUM.AUTOMOTO.EE | OLDCARLOVRS IN FACEBOOK | THINGIES IN FACEBOOK | RANDYDA25687858 IN X ]

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