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Photo of a Citroën 2CV

Citroën 2CV

The brief: get a basket of eggs across a plowed field with every shell intact.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 36 sources

Also called

  • Deux ChevauxFrench for 'two horses,' referring to two taxable horsepower.2
  • Tin SnailA European nickname poking fun at its leisurely pace.3
  • DeucheUsed in France alongside 'deux-pattes,' translated as 'double paw.'4
  • EnteIts German nickname means 'duck.'4

At a glance

0100200
9–32.8 hpPower
0100200
65–115 km/hTop speed
0150300
19.6–42 N·mTorque
05001,000
495–600 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.24713

Engine
375/425/435/602 cc air-cooled flat-twins; Sahara: two 425 cc units127
Layout
Front-engine FWD; Sahara: twin-engine selectable 4WD212
Gearbox
4-speed manual; Sahara: separate gearboxes operated together212
Built at
Levallois, France; Mangualde, Portugal; also Forest, Belgium, and Slough, UK2
Units built
3,867,932 standard saloons7

The story

Created as affordable transport for rural France, the brief included hauling potatoes over bad roads. Unveiled in Paris in 1948, it paired long-travel, interconnected coil springs with mass dampers to cushion the ride.1256

1948: Paris debut, then a 9 hp Type A19481970: 2CV4 and 2CV6 split the range19701975: 6.2 L/100 km in Autocar's test19751980: Charleston: 8,000, then a catalog model19801981: Inboard discs replace front drums19811988: Levallois closes; Portugal carries on19881990: The last car is a gray Charleston1990 Citroën Type C 5HP (C): 1922–1926CTPV prototypes (TPV): 1935–1948TPVCitroën 2CV: 1948–1990Citroën 2CVCitroën Dyane: 1967–1984Citroën Dyane 1930194019501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones2511212324
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1922–1926Citroën Type C 5HP (C)
1935–1948TPV prototypes (TPV)
1948–1990Citroën 2CV
1967–1984Citroën Dyane
1948Paris debut, then a 9 hp Type A
19702CV4 and 2CV6 split the range
19756.2 L/100 km in Autocar's test
1980Charleston: 8,000, then a catalog model
1981Inboard discs replace front drums
1988Levallois closes; Portugal carries on
1990The last car is a gray Charleston
  1. 1948

    Paris debut, then a 9 hp Type A

    Unveiled on October 7 in Paris, the 375 cc Type A reaches buyers in 1949 with 9 hp and a 65 km/h maximum.2

  2. 1970

    2CV4 and 2CV6 split the range

    The 2CV4 arrives with 435 cc, the 2CV6 with 602 cc; six-volt electrics give way to a 12-volt system.78

  3. 1975

    6.2 L/100 km in Autocar's test

    The UK 2CV6 records 0–60 mph in 32.7 seconds; its overall fuel economy beats the Renault 4L, Mini 850 and Fiat 126L.9

  4. 1980

    Charleston: 8,000, then a catalog model

    The red-and-black Charleston begins as an 8,000-car edition in October; it joins the regular lineup in July 1981.10

  5. 1981

    Inboard discs replace front drums

    Front brakes switch from inboard drums to inboard discs; the Spécial E brings a centrifugal clutch in June.11

  6. 1988

    Levallois closes; Portugal carries on

    The Levallois plant closes on February 29, moving the 2CV's remaining production to Mangualde, Portugal.11

  7. 1990

    The last car is a gray Charleston

    On July 27, the final 2CV leaves Mangualde, Portugal: a two-tone gray 2CV6 Charleston.411

Every generation

  • Citroën Type C 5HP
    C1922–1926
  • TPV prototypes
    TPV1935–1948
  • Citroën 2CV
    Citroën 2CV1948–1990
  • Citroën Dyane
    Citroën Dyane1967–1984

Power over the years

From 9 hp to 29 hp in 30 years.

0102030 1950195519601965197019751980 hp 1949 · 9 hp · Type A 375 cc (SAE)1954 · 12 hp · AZ 425 cc1963 · 18 hp · AZA (18 SAE; 16.5 DIN hp)1970 · 26 hp · 2CV4 435 cc1979 · 29 hp · 2CV6, 1979–90 29 hp 2CV6, 1979–90 9 hp Type A 375 cc (SAE)
2781314
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
19499Type A 375 cc (SAE)
195412AZ 425 cc
196318AZA (18 SAE; 16.5 DIN hp)
1970262CV4 435 cc
1979292CV6, 1979–90

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • 2CV A / AZ / AZL / AZLP

    Standard

    2CV A / AZ / AZL / AZLP

  • 2CV AZA / AZAM / Export

    Standard

    2CV AZA / AZAM / Export

  • 2CV4 / 2CV6 / Spécial / Club / Spécial E

    Standard

    2CV4 / 2CV6 / Spécial / Club / Spécial E

  • Special

    ENAC Mixte / Commerciale

  • Special

    2CV6 Charleston

    1980–1990

  • 2CV Dolly

    Limited

    2CV Dolly

    1985–1986

    6,600 built

  • 2CV France 3 / Transat / Beachcomber

    Limited

    2CV France 3 / Transat / Beachcomber

    1983–1984

  • Bamboo / Perrier / Marcatelo / Ente Grün / Sauss-Ente

    Special

    Bamboo / Perrier / Marcatelo / Ente Grün / Sauss-Ente

  • 2CV Cocorico

    Limited

    2CV Cocorico

    1986

    1,000 built

  • 2CV 4×4 Sahara

    Special

    2CV 4×4 Sahara

    694 built

  • 2CV 007

    Limited

    2CV 007

    1981

    500 built

  • 2CV Spot / Basket

    Limited

    2CV Spot / Basket

    1976

How to spot one

Look for

  • Narrow, tall body with four small doors and a fabric roof that rolls back.19
  • Split side windows: the lower half swings upward and clips to the top of the frame.20
  • Small, flat windshield with a fresh-air vent directly underneath.9

Year by year

  1. 1953

    The grille chevrons lose their oval surround, and the wheels turn ivory.13

  2. 1957

    AZL gains a larger rear window and aluminum trim; September's AZLP adds a separate metal trunk lid.1213

  3. 1960–1961

    Most cars swap fine hood ripples for five broad corrugations, separate side panels and a detachable grille.21421

  4. 1965

    Front doors gain hinges at the front and handles at the rear, replacing the earlier rear-hinged arrangement.14

  5. 1966

    A three-bar grille puts the chevrons above it; rear quarter windows appear on most cars, with basic AZL and Sahara exceptions.14

  6. 1974–1975

    Rectangular headlights arrive in 1974; the stripped Spécial launches in 1975 with round lamps and no rear quarter windows.810

Don’t confuse it with

  • Dyane

    A larger, angular hatchback body; a standard 2CV has a separate trunk lid.2122

  • Photo of a Citroën 2CV
    2CV
    Photo of a IES Super América
    IES Super América

    IES Super América

    An enlarged windshield without the vent, a Dyane-style hood and square headlights distinguish this Argentine relative.17

Against its rivals

  • Hillman Imp de luxe

    2CV vs Hillman Imp de luxe

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    2CV32.7 s
    Hillman Imp de luxe21.1 s
    9
  • Renault 4L

    2CV vs Renault 4L

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    2CV32.7 s
    Renault 4L32.1 s
    9
  • Mini 850

    2CV vs Mini 850

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    2CV32.7 s
    Mini 85027.5 s
    9

  • 2CV vs Fiat 126L

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    2CV32.7 s
    Fiat 126L62.2 s
    9

Prices

Value today $6.5K–$18.2K616

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$100$1K$10K$100K 19501960197019801990200020102020 Value today: $6,500–$18,200 1949 · $651 · France base; approximate USD1962 · $1,990 · France Sahara; approximate USD1975 · $2,386 · Britain 2CV6; approximate USD1976 · $2,850 · France Spot; approximate USD1990 · $6,495 · 2CV6 Special, market unstated 1949 · 228,000F · France base, 1949; approximate USD conversion 2024 · $23,250 · 1978 2CV6 Special, 33k km shown, TMU, BaT2025 · $20,240 · 1960 AZ; restamp, likely later parts; USD approx., Paris2025 · $20,000 · 1985 2CV6 Dolly, 66k km shown, TMU, BaT2025 · $20,755 · 1988 2CV6 Charleston, 79k km shown, BaT2025 · $21,500 · 1967 2CV, 16k km shown, BaT2025 · $14,250 · 1958 2CV, 133 miles shown, TMU, BaT2026 · $14,500 · 1959 Type AZ (1960 title), 10k miles shown, BaT $23.3K BaT, 2024
910132030313233343536
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1949Launch price$651France base, 1949; approximate USD conversion
1949Price when new$651France base; approximate USD
1962Price when new$1,990France Sahara; approximate USD
1975Price when new$2,386Britain 2CV6; approximate USD
1976Price when new$2,850France Spot; approximate USD
1990Price when new$6,4952CV6 Special, market unstated
2024Auction sale$23,2501978 2CV6 Special, 33k km shown, TMU, BaT
2025Auction sale$20,2401960 AZ; restamp, likely later parts; USD approx., Paris
2025Auction sale$20,0001985 2CV6 Dolly, 66k km shown, TMU, BaT
2025Auction sale$20,7551988 2CV6 Charleston, 79k km shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$21,5001967 2CV, 16k km shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$14,2501958 2CV, 133 miles shown, TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$14,5001959 Type AZ (1960 title), 10k miles shown, BaT
2026Value today$6,500–$18,200

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “A quarry race became a French championship”
    • “24 hours, with engine swaps under 10 minutes”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 36 sources
  1. Buyer's Guide to the Citroën 2CV - Sports Car Market sportscarmarket.com
  2. Citroën 2CV - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. The irrational appeal of the astonishingly slow car roadandtrack.com
  4. DPMA | The 2CV dpma.de
  5. TPV and 2CV prototypes - 1935 to 1948 handbook.2cvgb.co.uk
  6. Citroën 2CV buying guide, history and model review - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  7. Production data of the Citroën 2CV - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  8. Citroën 2CV Buying Guide - Petrolicious petrolicious.com
  9. Autocar Auto Test Citro�n 2CV6 8th March 1975 citroenet.org.uk
  10. Modèles et séries limitées de la 2 CV — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  11. Disc Brake 2CVs - 1981 Onwards handbook.2cvgb.co.uk
  12. Citroën 2CV Sahara: First Drive of the World’s First Dual-Engine 4x4 Vehicle motortrend.com
  13. 2CV "Ripple Bonnets" - 1949 to 1960 handbook.2cvgb.co.uk
  14. 2CVs in the Sixties - 1961 to 1969 handbook.2cvgb.co.uk
  15. The English Citro�n 2 CV citroenet.org.uk
  16. 1983 Citroën 2CV | The Willy Michiels Collection | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  17. The Argentinian 2 CV, 3CV and IES page 1 citroenet.org.uk
  18. Citroën 2CV (1949-1990). Les séries spéciales et éditions limitées de la Deudeuche en images - L'argus largus.fr
  19. Citroën 2CV | Bond Lifestyle jamesbondlifestyle.com
  20. 1948-1990 Citroën 2CV Collectible Classic %%sep%% %%sitename%% motortrend.com
  21. Used Citroen 2CV (1948-1990) buyer’s guide: bonkers, but guaranteed to make you smile | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  22. Citroën 2CV Deux Chevaux buying guide - "An umbrella on wheels" classic-trader.com
  23. Citroën Type C 5HP - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. Citro�n 2CV prototypes 1 citroenet.org.uk
  25. 50 ans du raid Paris-Persépolis en 2 CV - L'Aventure laventure-association.com
  26. L'histoire 2cvcross.fr
  27. BRSCC | CLASSIC 2CV RACING CLUB brscc.co.uk
  28. 24H 2CV : L’incontournable rendez-vous… depuis 35 ans déjà ! spa-francorchamps.be
  29. Melina’s Citroën 2CV | The Ian Fleming Foundation ianflemingfoundation.org
  30. 1960 Citroën 2CV | Paris 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  31. No Reserve: 1959 Citroen 2CV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,500 on July 7, 2026 (Lot #251,301) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 1958 Citroen 2CV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,250 on June 3, 2025 (Lot #194,402) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. No Reserve: 1978 Citroen 2CV6 Special for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $23,250 on March 23, 2024 (Lot #140,676) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 1985 Citroen 2CV6 Dolly for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $18,250 on November 4, 2025 (Lot #218,182) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 1988 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $20,755 on October 28, 2025 (Lot #216,941) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 27-Years-Owned 1967 Citroen 2CV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $21,500 on July 14, 2025 (Lot #200,310) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • sportscarmarket.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • roadandtrack.com
  • dpma.de
  • handbook.2cvgb.co.uk
  • octane-magazine.com
  • petrolicious.com
  • citroenet.org.uk
  • fr.wikipedia.org
  • motortrend.com
  • rmsothebys.com
  • largus.fr
  • jamesbondlifestyle.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk

Photo credits

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