2CV

The Citroën 2CV (French: “deux chevaux” i.e. “deux chevaux-vapeur [fiscaux]”, literally “two tax horsepower”) is an economy car produced by the French car manufacturer Citroën between 1948 and 1990. It combined technological innovation, utilitarian looks and simple bodywork.

In 1953 Autocar in a technical review of the car wrote of "the extraordinary ingenuity of this design, which is undoubtedly the most original since the Model T Ford". It was described by CAR magazine journalist and author LJK Setright as "the most intelligent application of minimalism ever to succeed as a car". It was designed for low cost, simplicity of use, versatility, reliability, and off-road driving. For this it had a light, easily serviceable engine, extremely soft long travel suspension (with height adjustment by lengthening/shortening of tie rods ) , high ground clearance, and for oversized loads a car-wide canvas sunroof (which until 1955) also covered the boot).

Over 42 years between 1948 and 1990, 3,872,583 2CVs were produced, along with 1,246,306 Fourgonnettes (small 2CV delivery vans) and mechanically similar variants including the Ami – 1,840,396; the Dyane – 1,444,583; the Acadiane – 253,393; and the Mehari – 144,953, a total of 8,756,688