When first launched in 1948, the Citroen 2CV was not considered the finest example of style and beauty. Perfection in design wasn't the initial inspiration for its constructors, though. Pierre Boulanger, the Vice President of Citroen at the time, introduced this model to help motorize the rural areas of France in 1930. As a reflection, the 2CV was an example of simple and utilitarian bodywork.
In its essence, the Citroen 2CV proved to be a low-cost vehicle with minimal fuel consumption and easy maintenance. You could drive it over unpaved roads overloaded with cargo and still enjoy a soft ride for hours.
However, is this all that makes the model worthy of a mention? Over 70 years after its first appearance on the automotive market, we still love the Citroen 2CV and adore seeing it on the street, here's why.
Jay Leno Talks Us Through The Hoffman Citroen 2CV
The History Behind The French Chic Design
Over the years, the Citroen 2CV had many nicknames, including "Deux Chateaux", "Tin Snail", and "an umbrella on the wheels". Truth to be told, all these originated from the deep affection drivers had towards this compact and useful vehicle. Although it might not be the first choice in design, people grew to love the 2CV for many reasons, starting with the price and simplicity.
In a time when owning a car was a luxury, Citroen created a model that became available for the masses. The 2CV turned out to be a mid-size car with quite innovative features. Equipped with an air-cooled two-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive, and soft suspension, the model was one of its kind for the price. Nothing speaks better about its success than the high number of initial orders placed by customers. From 1948 to 1990, when Citroen officially rolled out the 2CV, over 5 million of these vehicles were sold.
Interestingly enough, the 2CV was unveiled at the great Paris Salon in 1948, where it must have been compared to other much more modern and powerful vehicles. Nevertheless, this unique example of chic style won the hearts of many drivers, and Citroen continued to offer it until 1990, wrapping up with 42 years of production. More than 30 years later, we still want it.
Citroen 2CV Specs And Lovable Features
The first thing on our list of lovable features on the Citroen 2CV is the non-conformist, personable, and economical design. The vehicle may not be the most elegant and beautiful out there, but it's certainly uncommon and recognizable. Moreover, everyone could afford it initially, which made the 2CV a symbol of freedom and adventure in the very early days of production.
Now, it's worth mentioning that the small cubic capacity of the engine also ensured a favorable tax rate. Combine this with low fuel consumption and little maintenance, and you get a perfect compact vehicle for every occasion. There's no wonder why the 2CV was the favorite family vehicle back in the day.
Another thing that makes the 2CV special is the four-door steel body with a roll-up roof made of vinyl. Along with making the vehicle lighter, the removable roof also allowed the transportation of all kinds of objects. Plus, the model had a great center of gravity, so you could push it to maximum power without worrying about tipping over.
What Can You Expect From Driving The Citroen 2CV?
As far as we know, Citroen has no intention of producing a modern 2CV, which means a wide fan base is limited in options. If you desire to own and drive the famous umbrella on the wheels, you'll have to keep track of auctions and save quite some money for the occasion. The model is not as inexpensive as it used to be back after World War II. Because there are not many of the 2CV left, you may need a little bit of luck too.
If you do end up being a Citroen 2CV owner, you can expect a few things regarding the overall drive and experience. First off, the 2CV is plain in design compared to modern vehicles, but it still provides a comfortable ride even over bumpy roads. Secondly, you may need to pay more for maintenance, considering replacement parts could be more challenging to find these days. Nonetheless, this should be balanced with the impressively low fuel consumption.
Lastly, the two-cylinder engine is small and doesn't have much power, but it should serve you well for short-distance rides. Years after the 2CV production ceased, Citroen lovers still praise the model for its French charm, non-conformism, and adventurous spirit. There's no reason to be any different with your model.