The Citroën 2CV ("two steam horse(power)s", meaning "two taxable horsepower") is an air-cooled front-engine, front-wheel-drive, economy family car, manufactured by Citroën for model years 1948–1990.
In 1951 the opinion appeared in Germany's recently launched Auto, Motor und Sport magazine that, despite its "ugliness and primitiveness", the 2CV was a "highly interesting" car. A 1953 technical review in Autocar described "the extraordinary ingenuity of this design, which is undoubtedly the most original since the Model T Ford". The Globe and Mail called it a "car like no other". The motoring writer L. J. K. Setright described the 2CV as "the most intelligent application of minimalism ever to succeed as a car", and a car of "remorseless rationality".
Citroën was flooded with customer orders at the Paris show in 1948. The car had a great impact on the lives of the low-income segment of the population in France. The 2CV was a commercial success: within months of it going on sale, there was a three-year waiting list, which soon increased to five years. At the time a second-hand 2CV was more expensive than a new one because the buyer did not have to wait.
In 1955 the 2CV side repeaters were added above and behind the rear doors. It was now also available with 425 ccm (AZ), 12.5 hp (9.3 kW) and a top speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).
Production date | 02.06.1955 |
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Body Type | Sedan |
Engine | 425 ccm, 12 PS, H2 |
transmission | Manual |
Steering | Left Hand Drive |
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Layout | Front Wheel Drive |
Color - exterior | Grey |
Color - interior | Blue / White |
Miles/Kilometers shown | N/A |
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Chassis / VIN | 174412 |
Location - Country | Spain |
Location - City | Barcelona |
4-door sedan body type; FWD (front-wheel drive), manual 4-speed gearbox; gasoline (petrol) engine with displacement: 425 cm3, advertised power: 9.3 kW / 12 hp / 12.5 PS (SAE), torque: 21.6 Nm; characteristic dimensions: outside length: 3780 mm, width: 1480 mm, wheelbase: 2400 mm; reference weights: base curb weight: 505 kg; top speed: 80 km/h (50 mph) (declared by factory)