Citroen 2CV - today's auction tempter

By: Unique Cars magazine

Date: 25.02.2022

Citroen 2CV

Citroen 2CV

Citroen 2CV

Citroen 2CV

French icon

This Citroen 2CV is up for auction through Collecting Cars.

Some 74 years after its launch, the Citroen 2CV remains one of those motoring icons that has seen its role quietly shift from practical transport to fashion statement.

As we mentioned in a 2018 feature celebrating its 70th birthday: "When you consider the original design brief for the Citroen 2CV, you can't help wondering how the devil it managed such an extraordinarily long production life - all the way to 1990.

"The concept for the car came at a traumatic time in the brand's history. It was the 1930s and ownership was passing from Andre Citroen to the Michelin tyre company.

"CEO Pierre Borlanger came up with a very specific brief: the car had to be simple, roomy, able to carry a couple of farmers complete with clogs, and a good 50 kilos of their produce, be it spuds, grapes or even wine.

"Not only that, but it had to be nimble enough to cross a field without breaking an egg."

So much for humble beginnings. They have since been raced, rallied and have starred in countless films over time, while leaving an indelible impression on anyone fortunate enough to own and drive one.

Mechanicals are basic: Horizontally opposed air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, which started at 375cc and grew to 600, with manual transmission. See our backgrounder.

The example you see here is a 1983 2CV 6 with a 652cc powerplant and other upgrades. It's being auctioned via Collecting Cars with five days to go.

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