Istorie
Conceived by Citroen Vice-President, Pierre Boulanger, to help motorize the large number of farmers still using horses and carts in 1930s France, the 2CV is noted for its minimalist combination of innovative engineering and utilitarian, straightforward metal bodywork. A bright yellow 2CV was driven by James Bond in the film For Your Eyes Only.
Full description
The Citroen 2 CV is a front-engine, front wheel drive, air-cooled economy car introduced at the 1948 Paris Mondial de l'Automobile and manufactured by Citroen for model years 1948-1990.
Conceived by Citroen Vice-President, Pierre Boulanger, to help motorize the large number of farmers still using horses and carts in 1930s France, the 2CV is noted for its minimalist combination of innovative engineering and utilitarian, straightforward metal bodywork.
The 2CV featured a low purchase cost; simplicity of overall maintenance; an easily serviced air-cooled engine (originally offering 9hp); low fuel consumption; and an extremely long travel suspension offering a soft ride, light off-road capability, high ground clearance and height adjustability via lengthening/shortening of tie rods. Often called "an umbrella on wheels," the bodywork featured a distinctive and prominent full-width, canvas, roll-back sunroof, which accommodated oversized loads and until 1955 reached almost to the car's rear bumper, covering its trunk.
A 1953 technical review in Autocar described "the extraordinary ingenuity of this design, which is undoubtedly the most original since the Model T Ford". In 2011, The Globe and Mail called it a "car like no other." Noted automotive author L. J. K. Setright described the 2CV as "the most intelligent application of minimalism ever to succeed as a car," calling it a car of "remorseless rationality." When asked about the 2CVs performance and acceleration, many owners said it went "from 0–100 in one day".
The highest annual production was in 1974. Sales of the 2CV were reinvigorated by the1974 oil crisis. The 2CV after this time became as much a youth lifestyle statement as a basic functional form of transport. This renewed popularity was encouraged by the Citroen "Raid" intercontinental endurance rallies of the 1970s where customers could participate by buying a new 2CV, fitted with a ruggedizing 'P.O.' kit to cope with thousands of miles of very poor or off-road routes. The special edition models began with the 1976 SPOT model and continued in the 1980. This model is a Charleston edition inspired by Art-Deco two color styles, 1920s Citroen model color schemes.
A bright yellow 2CV was driven by James Bond in the film For Your Eyes Only, including an elaborate set piece car chase through a Spanish olive farm, in which Bond uses the unique abilities of the modestly powered 2CV to escape his pursuers in Peugeot 504 sedans.
This car has covered 64,922 km.
