The Citroen 2CV was designed in the 1930s as a vehicle that would transform the lives of agricultural workers in France by providing a vehicle that would replace horses and carts.
Although the 2CV would be a relatively cheap car to purchase and maintain, typically half the cost of a Volkswagen Beetle, it incorporated advanced technology that remained largely hidden from public perception. Motoring journalists praised the car, "the extraordinary ingenuity of this design, which is undoubtedly the most original since the Model T Ford", "the most intelligent application of minimalism ever to succeed as a car" and "a car of remorseless rationality."
Citroen under the ownership of Michelin began a survey of the rural population in 1934 conducted by Jacques Duclos. The survey results defined a design brief, this included the capability to carry four people, 50kg of farm goods, fully loaded speed of 30mph across unmade roads with a fuel economy of 95 miles per gallon.
Pierre-Jules Boulanger as Vice-President of Citroen in 1936 created the TPV (Toute Petite Voiture - Very Small Car) project and incorporated many staff involved in the Traction Avant. Andre Lefebvre specialised in chassis design and road holding, Alphonse Forceau designed the suspension, Flaminio Bertoni sculpted the exterior shell and the engine created by Walter Becchia and Lucien Gerard.
Reliability and innovation went hand in hand with no coolant, distributor, radiator or thermostat thanks to its air cooled two stroke two cyclinder engine. Radial tyres married to a front wheel drive and rack and pinion steering. All wings could be bolted on and off with doors, bonnet and boot lid which could be installed or removed by sliding hinges. The full length fabric roof provided out size loading capability and weighed considerably less than steel. The chassis was inspired by aeronautics with a H frame platform featuring a tube framework. The suspension was of particular note, featuring two cyclinders mounted horizontally on each side of the platform chassis. Each cyclinder contained two springs for each wheel and these are connected to the front and rear trailing arms. The two cyclinders are interconnected with tie rods so that when the front wheels are deflected over uneven ground the suspension system maintains contact between the wheels and ground but also keeps the body level. The suspension system would assist with differing payloads and cornering by increasing the wheel base which provided excellent road holding and passenger comfort.
The Citroen 2CV was ready to be launched at the Paris Motor Show in October 1939 but the outbreak of the Second World War put paid to that. The War years presented both challenges and opportunities for Citroen in developing the 2CV. Citroen protected the design from the Germans by hiding, destroying or displacing the cars, tools and records. Wartime conditions forced up the value of aluminium which necessitated the use of steel for the 2CV instead. The engine was changed from a water cooled two cylinder to an air cooled unit with four speed gearbox but remained 375cc engine. Experiments were also done using the hydro-pneumatic suspension which would be later used on the iconic Citroen DS.
On the 7 October 1948, the Citroen 2CV was unveiled to the world at the Paris Salon but deliveries commenced a year later. The car became extremely popular with those on lower incomes and led to a five year waiting list. During the austerity of the 1950s, production rose to 21,000 and priority given to critical occupations such as country vets, doctors, midwives, priests and small farmers.
The 1960s and 1970s, saw the 2CV being given a minor amount of external design changes but would also encapuslate a youthful generations desire for adventure and approach to society. Citroen's Director of Public Relations, Jacques Wolgensinger organised rallies across North Africa and the Middle East known as 'Raids'. Advertising slogans such as 'More than just a car - a way of life'. Production peaked in 1974 with the oil crisis and high cost of petrol meant the car was equally applicable to cost conscious buyers and those making a life style statement.
The greatest mechanical change would involve the fitting of front disc brakes to cars from 1982 models onwards. By the end of the 1980s, production ended in both France and Portugal due to the high cost of production rather than a lack of interest. Including commercial versions and derivatives such as the 2CV van, Dyane, Mehari, FAF and Ami, total production came to 8,830,679 vehicles.
Below are videos and picture galleries showing the prototype Citroen 2CV, how it matured and the restoration of our own car. The restoration was carried out by 2CV City.
