| 15/03/08 Contents All car articles > Automobile > Two-wheeler  Eternal DS Born in 1955, the DS is today celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. Its aerodynamic design and innovative technology shattered the existing standards of the automotive world. |
The 2CV celebrates its 60th anniversary!By Emmanuel TresmontantThrough its simple, economic concept, allied to the latest technological developments of the time, the 2 CV revolutionised not only the automobile industry but also French society, opening the way for THE people’s car par excellence!  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11    The 2 CV is today a myth, a legend, a fetish object for collectors nostalgic for the sixties… Displayed for the first time on 7th October 1948 at the 35th Paris motor show (at the Grand Palais), the car that the Americans regarded as a “tin can” was produced in over 5 million units, up until 1990. © Citroën Of course, it caused a shockwave! On seeing it for the first time, American journalists guffawed “Does it come with a can opener?”… © Citroën Ideal for picnics with friends, the 2CV was environmentally friendly ahead of its time, since its twin-cylinder engine consumed only 4 to 5 litres per 100 km (62 miles)! © Citroën At first, the 2CV was mainly aimed at farmers, who had to be able to travel easily off-road and put their tools and a petrol can in the boot. © Citroën 1958: arrival of the “Sahara” 4x4 2CV equipped with two 425cc engines, one driving the front wheels, the other the rear! © Citroën 1966: adoption of a third side window above the rear wing – the 2CV becomes a limousine. © Citroën An AZL version of the 2CV is produced from 1976: the driver can now sample the delights of windscreen de-icing, a coloured hood and a large rear window. © Citroën Initially, the 2CV was produced only in plain dark grey. In 1959 blue appeared. My parents and I toured round Ireland in this yellow model, which came out in 1976 – I remember it well… © Citroën At the time, there weren’t yet any headrests! Beware of whiplash! © Citroën One of the reasons for its success: the simplicity of the dashboard! A model of restraint and functionality. © Citroën |
Motoring and Technology
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