ABOVE: The Citroen 2CV

2CV at 60 - Story Of An Icon

On the opening day of the 1948 Salon de Paris motor show, Citroën boss Pierre Boulanger whipped the covers off what was to become one of the most important cars of the century. It was the start of a remarkable production run that would last more than 40 years and would see the new car mutate from 1950s necessity to 1960s practicality to 1970s economy car to 1980s chic style statement.

The 2CV had been conceived in the pre-war years, aborted due to the outbreak of war, resuscitated in secret during the German occupation and, finally, rushed into production with the coming of peace. Despite having no engines – Citroën hadn’t finished designing them in time – the 2CV show models did their job, raising interest in the car to fever pitch. But it was to be another full year before production started for real and it was to be the 1949 Salon before prospective customers could see the engine and start making appointments for test drives. To the relief of Citroën, and much to the chagrin of Renault, whose boss had announced the year before, with the launch of their 4CV, that, “We shall be unbeatable for years”, the 2CV was immediately in demand.


Read the full article on pages 42-74 of this months issue.

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