CITROEN 2CV Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

It was the longest production vehicle ever built by Citroen. Its lifespan was 51 years and it was the most beloved French car. A vehicle that helped rebuilt France after WWII: the 2CV

The 2CV name came from the car's fiscal power of just 2, which was a great deal in a reconstructing country. It was unveiled at the 1948 Paris Motor Show and its air-cooled front-engine and front-wheel drive system made it easy to drive. The simple, yet comfortable, suspension made it very good on unpaved or bad roads. It suffered many upgrades over time. And, while the first models were only available in gray color, one wiper, one headlight, and a canvas top, over time it was improved. The last 2CV rolled out from Citroen's factory in Portugal on July 27th, 1990. With all of its variations, the 2CV family was produced in over 9 million units.

The curved hood, flat panels on the sides, and the arched roofline were characteristic of the 2CV. In the beginning, it started with one round headlight, over the time it received a second lamp. When the trend asked for rectangular units, they just mounted them on the car. When the market shifted back to the round ones, they did it overnight.

The interior was very simple. Its minimalist cabin offered room for five and no comfort features. It didn't even feature a heater in the first years and it took quite a while, until 1954, to receive a light for the speedometer. It was a basic transportation device, an “umbrella on wheels”.

There was a lot of ingenuity behind the car and, due to its fuel-efficiency, it gathered more attention when the first oil crisis started in 1974. It was the peak production year with almost 90.000 units.