Gaff, the only cars that I know having hand braked fronts are Alfa's and SAAB's

Citroen BX and Xantia did too. I'd guess it might well have made it onto the C5/C6 too as they have the same suspension system.

So what happens to the fronts? The gap gets wider as they wear, so you have to press the pedal further, or does the fluid sort this out.

The caliper pistons take up the slack

No more pedal pressure reqiured as VRslen says.