Citroen 2CV 6

Citroen 2CV 6

The Citroen 2CV (deux chevaux — 'two horses') is one of the most important cars in history. Conceived in 1936 by Pierre Boulanger with the brief to design 'an umbrella on four wheels' that could carry two farmers across a ploughed field without breaking eggs in a basket, the 2CV was delayed by World War II and finally launched at the 1948 Paris Salon. Its appearance — corrugated bodywork, roll-back canvas roof, protruding headlamps — was mocked by journalists, but the public loved it. Behind the eccentric styling lay some of the cleverest engineering ever applied to a cheap car: the interconnected suspension (front and rear springs linked) gave extraordinary ride comfort on rough roads, the air-cooled flat-twin engine was virtually indestructible, and the dashboard-mounted gear lever (connected by rods to the front-mounted gearbox) was unusual but effective. The 2CV could be serviced by any rural mechanic with basic tools. It became the backbone of French rural transport, and its production lasted an incredible 42 years — from 1948 to 1990 — during which over 5.1 million were built (including van derivatives). The 2CV inspired fierce loyalty: there are 2CV clubs in every country, and the annual Raid 2CV adventures cross deserts and mountains.