Citroen 2CV 1948 - 1990 - Model history

Citroen 2CV

Citroen 2CV

Citroen The 2CV is definitely the most famous model of this brand and one of the most popular and likable models ever created in France.
During the second half of the last century It is a Citroen 2CV  became a symbol of this country, just like red wine, the Eiffel Tower or baguette bread. With its appearance, specificity and unique qualities, it was, and still is, a reality for millions of customers who, because of their incredible sympathy and charm, have remained forever in their hearts. The story of this legendary car begins before World War II when Citroen management entrusted Pierre Michelin (son of the founder of the famous tire factory) and his close colleague and namesake Pierre Boulanger to developing a project for a small, popular, simple and economical car. The code under which the project was run was TPV (toute petite voiture) and the goals were to create an American sedan comfort car, with good braking and road behavior. These requirements can best be illustrated by a legend that said the constructors were asked to make an "egg cart" that could be used on the worst terrain without breaking any eggs. They literally took it, so the future Citroen was left homeless, as was the basket.

Citroen 2CV

In any case, development began as early as 1936, and the first prototypes were created at the end of 1939. These first models had a magnesium suspension, plenty of aluminum in the construction, only one headlamp, wipers that were manually driven, a two-cylinder boxer engine that started only on the turbot. The cabin was done in a totally ascetic style and, apart from the steering wheel and gearbox, nothing else existed. However, after the cancellation of the Paris Motor Show in 1939 and the darkness that descended on Europe, development ceased. However, in the conditions of war and occupation, Pierre Boulanger and his associates managed to work on this project. After the end of the war, the need for cars in liberated France was enormous, but the purchasing power was extremely weak. To make the car even cheaper, experts at Citroen have unveiled a pre-production version that has a body and chassis made of steel rather than aluminum and magnesium, a headlamp and a pair of wipers and a four-speed gearbox. In the fall of 1948, exactly on October 7, ten years later, the Paris Motor Show reopened its gates and Pierre Boulanger proudly presents the Citroen 2CV to the world. The new model doesn't look like anything produced before and the reactions of the audience are varied, but the crowd at the Citroen booth is by far the largest. In a small brochure distributed to visitors, the price is new Citroen 2CV 185,000 francs, the cheapest car in the French market, with the first specimens to be shipped in 1949. These first models are known as the "A" series and are known for their only 375ccm engine, which had 9 hp and developed a top speed of 69 km / h. The drive was on the front axle which at that time was an advanced solution.

Citroen 2CV

Citroen 2CV

The very name "2CV" meant - deux chevaux vapeur - or - 2 horses, which is the name of the tax group into which this car fell. The market responded well to Citroen 2CV. Although it was the cheapest, it was still expensive for most of the potential drivers of post-war France, but it gave many hope that one would get behind the wheel of their own car. Those who managed to raise the money got it Citroen 2CV in only one color - gray. Since 1955, the engine has received a larger volume of 425ccm and a power of 12 hp. These versions are known as "AZ". The car's features, in addition to those already mentioned, were the absence of a boot lid that was covered with a cloth as well as the roof, and after numerous user complaints, Citroen 2CV  is supplied with a metal cover. Changes to the body other than this were minimal, and in 1958 two new models were introduced. The first is the Commercionale or cargo version which was immediately well received and the 2CV Sahara 4 × 4, a very interesting model. It is a car with two engines, one of which is mounted front, and the other rear, and all-wheel drive. This variant was created to solve the problems that the standard model has in difficult terrain. Both engines had a displacement of 2425cc, so much larger units, and the behavior on the ground was beyond expectations. However, this very specific car was made in only 694 copies, until 1971.

Citroen 2CV

Citroen 2CV

In the sixties, Citroen 2CV enters as an already established model with a wide range of customers across Europe. As economic power grew, this model was no longer bought as a base vehicle but as a life-style car that was especially close to the hippie generation. In this decade, his cult status is established, and even proven in competitions on difficult off-road tracks where lightness of construction and excellent suspension make for victories. Just these years, Citroen 2CV he gets the nickname "spaček" under which he was not only known to us. In addition, over the decade, body changes have been more pronounced, though they are still aesthetically pleasing and the interior is getting a little richer. In 1968, the Dyane model was introduced, representing only the most modern in design Citroen 2CV. The engines remained the same but the power increased to 18 hp. As early as 1970, a more powerful 602ccm and 33hp engine appeared, which was installed in both the Spacecraft and the Dyane. The oil crisis of the 100s kept the production of this model at a high level so that although there were no major changes, spacecraft was still in the peak of popularity. Due to its low volume engine and modest power, fuel consumption was low and was five liters of fuel per XNUMX kilometers.

Citroen 2CV

Citroen 2CV

In the XNUMXs, special versions such as Citroen 2CV Sport, but the difference from standard models is just aesthetic. In the early 2s, all 1981CV models received a larger tank and, finally, disc brakes. In 1985, the popular "Charlston" version was introduced, which had a distinctive two-color body color (burgundy - black) and was very driven in our country. By 3, the changes consisted of a modified carburetor and new seat belts. That year, another special version, called France 1990 or Beachcomber, appeared on the market, in fact it was a plain white spacecraft with blue lines on the body. However adaptable the car was, the end was still visible in June XNUMX, the last copy of the legendary one Citroen 2CV  has left the factory in Portugal after five and a half million units produced.

Citroen 2CV

Although fragile and weak, goblets are actually very durable vehicles. Probably because everything is so simplistic that it can't be broken. Joke aside, it has always been the rule that only a mechanically educated owner can maintain his vehicle completely. In any case, with its many qualities, Citroen 2CV  has earned a large number of fans around the world and even in markets where it has not even been present. It was popular with us and very popular, and today, as in other European countries, it is possible to see them on the streets, in all variants. In addition to its durability and undeniable charm, its stability is especially legendary, and sometimes it really knows how to surprise. It's a long time Citroen 2CV was known as a car that was impossible to overturn. It is because of such stability and durability, Citroen 2CV  was common on marathon relays of that time, and heavily modified versions took part in even the first Paris - Dakar relays. Simply, Spachak was not afraid of the great desert, nor of the snow and ice.

Citroen 2CV

In any case, if you are one of the many fans of this model, you do not need a lot of money to start socializing, on the contrary. There are many clubs around the world that bring together owners, and the stock market of parts and vehicles is large. For that effort and money invested, you get one of the nicest cars in history and a faithful friend, and knowing how the fairer sex reacts to this model, probably a friend…

Author: 426 Hemi
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