Buyer’s guide: Citroën 2CV

By Malcolm McKay

| 30 Aug 2019

Classic & Sports Car – Buyer’s guide: Citroën 2CV

Why you’d want a Citroën 2CV

Innovative design in every detail characterised the 2CV – the brainchild of Pierre Boulanger – with the joint aims of economy and convenience.

Air-cooled with just two cylinders and no distributor, it was cheap both to build and to run. Yet it was one of the most comfortable cars ever built, using clever interlinked horizontal coil springs that act upon each other for all-independent suspension, with minimal unsprung weight thanks to low-mass wheels and inboard front brakes.

Rack-and-pinion steering, a four-speed gearbox, separately controlled fresh-air ventilation and warm air heating, radial tyres and hydraulic brakes were also well ahead of period rivals. Headlight beams adjustable from inside and even road-speed-related wipers (driven from the speedo cable) took Deux Chevaux innovation well into the future.

The 2CV was launched in 1948, but development began before the war. It was built for 41 years, but it was only sold in the UK from ’53-’61 (when built in Slough) and from ’74-onwards.

The tiny, unburstable flat-twin – designed by brilliant ex-Talbot man Walter Becchia – started square, at 375cc with 62mm bore and stroke, and gradually went oversquare to 602cc (74x70).

Unlike most other economy cars, the 2CV was roomy, with a rear seat that could easily be removed for vast luggage capacity – or picnics.

(l-r) 2CV wasn’t fazed by rugged terrain; Spot (Special Production Orange Ténéré) was first limited edition, in ’76

Lightweight components and simple construction make home restoration entirely viable. Most have had the platform chassis replaced: galvanised gives ultimate protection, but painted is fine if it’s well looked after. The body is likely to have needed significant welding, too. Check that it’s been done, not filled over rot.

Inspect for signs of water getting into the car, usually via a leaking ’screen rubber or the vent flap seal. It will rust through both floor and chassis over time and late models in particular could have rotten frames within 10 years.

Portuguese-built cars were not as well protected as late French ones. In extreme cases, the structure begins to bend, opening up the panel gap from the back of the front wing to the bonnet hinge, or closing it and causing the triangular panel to bulge out. Be prepared for significant expense if buying a car in this condition – and don’t drive it!

Owning a Deux Chevaux is a lifestyle statement and means joining a huge worldwide family of enthusiastic owners who will welcome you with open arms. You’ll never be short of help and advice to get the most out of ownership.

Images: Tony Baker

Citroën 2CV: what to look for

Bodywork

See above for trouble spots

Engine

2CVs don’t have much power, but they should have enough to make reasonable progress. Rattly, weak engines may have broken piston rings and/or maladjusted valves. Conrods can break but it will keep driving on one piston, although it won’t be smooth. Plug threads do get stripped, but can be repaired.

2CVs started with a single-choke Solex carb (£135 new, 1963-’70), enlarged in 1970 (£120 exchange) and replaced by a twin-choke unit (£235 new) in 1978.

Brakes

Inboard disc front brakes replaced drums in ’81, and are easier to service (£13-18 for pads), but the handbrake (£10 separate pads) is less effective.

Steering

Inspect for wear in kingpins, steering rack and trackrod ends. Kingpins should be greased every 1000 miles on early cars. Heavy steering indicates neglect.

Gearbox

The unconventional dogleg gearchange should be easy and crunch-free. Test synchromesh (especially third) and listen for noise from worn bearings.

Interior

The outside edge of the driver’s seat wears, and sunlight can destroy the tops. New rubbers and central canvas support will transform sagging chairs.

Roof

Upgraded soft-tops and even heated rear windows are available, along with sunshades and thermal liners. An OE-specification roof costs £165.

Citroën 2CV: on the road

Roof folds halfway or can be rolled right back; dash gearshift is initially a bit awkward but soon learnt

A well-cared-for 2CV should start instantly (if in regular use), run smoothly and be surprisingly quiet. Power is not a term that really applies, but it should be able to keep up when rowed along between second and third, and cruise happily at 60mph. If not, something is awry.

Look for service history and evidence that care has been lavished on the running gear and the structure. 2CVs came with a grille muff (as fitted to Spot on opening spread), to be fitted below 50°F and removed above 59°F. See that it’s still in the car.

The points are awkward to change – buried in a box behind the fan – so 123 electronic ignition is a popular mod. Numerous tuning options are offered; 9:1 barrels and pistons are effective or, as a cheaper option, skimming 0.3mm off the top of the barrels will enliven performance without penalty. Visa engine conversions are not a great idea, because the 652cc unit is not as durable.

If you really want more power, Sparrow offers a £700 kit to convert to a BMW R-series motorcycle flat-twin, with 70-125bhp – but you’ll need to spend a fair bit more on donor parts, stronger gearbox etc. You can even fit a 4x4 conversion.

Apart from brushes wearing, there’s not much to go wrong with the alternator and the rest of the electrical system is equally simple, though modern coils are not as good as the old ones.

Toyo or Nankang 135x15 tyres at c£40 each (or even Maxxis at £32) are appealing alternatives to the Michelin X 125 at £95 – but the Xs last longer and look right. You can usually resolve noisy suspension by injecting vegetable oil into the cylinders and greasing the knife edges.

Citroën 2CV price guide

Mid-run

Show/rebuilt: £9500
Average: £4500
Restoration: £1250

Early or late model

Show/rebuilt: £15,000
Average: £6500
Restoration: £2500

Citroën 2CV history

1948 Oct 2CV Type A makes its debut at Paris Salon de l’Auto, 375cc, 9bhp, built to ’59

1951 Fourgonette AU van announced

1954 425cc AZ added, 12bhp, 47mph, centrifugal clutch to ’61, built to ’70 (21bhp)

1965 Extra side window, front-hinged front doors

1967 Angular-bodied Dyane hatchback added

1968 Méhari jeep launched, using strengthened Dyane chassis with ABS body

1970 12V electrics; revised 435cc & 602cc units

1974 Rectangular halogen headlamps; 2CV reintroduced to UK market, with 602cc engine

1975 New basic model Spécial, with round lamps

1980 Charleston special edition added

1981 Oct front disc brakes

1985 Dolly two-tones added, based on Spécial

1988 Feb Last French 2CV produced

1990 Jul Final 2CV built, at Mangualde, Portugal

The owner’s view

Owner Richard Forsyth’s 2CV is all original

Richard Forsyth bought this 1987 Deux Chevaux 10 years ago: “I’d always wanted a 2CV and saw this one at a show I was attending in my Ford Model A: I bought it on the spot. My wife has warmed to it, and we finally went to France in it last year. It attracted lots of attention, both from the French and other tourists.

“It’s all original and has done only 23,000 miles. I like the simplicity. It’s economical, has plenty of space and the suspension is fantastic – ideal for Britain’s deteriorating roads. It will just about keep up with modern traffic, cruising happily at 60mph until you come to a hill.

“You can get all the spares, no problem – though all that this one has needed in 10 years has been a new silencer and an ignition coil!”

Also consider

Fiat 126 (left) and Renault 4 are alternative buys

FIAT 126

Replacing the 500, the tiddly 126 was a huge success, growing from 600 to 650cc in 1977, then 700 and water cooling in ’87 with improving equipment levels. Rust was its biggest enemy.

Sold 1972-2000 • No. built 4,673,655 • Mpg 35-50 • 0-60mph 42.3-33 secs • Top speed 63-72mph • Price new £2315-2525 (1982) • Price now £1000-3500

RENAULT 4

Renault’s first front- drive car was a clear, measured response to the 2CV, rationalising the idea. It added a hatchback, two more cylinders, water cooling and torque. It rotted equally, too.

Sold 1961-’92 • No. built 8,135,424 • Mpg 35-55 • 0-60mph 40.5-25.7 secs • Top speed 60-72mph • Price new £3199-3424 (1982) • Price now £1000-4000

Citroën 2CV: the Classic & Sports Car verdict

Tin Snails are often personalised by their owners, such as the cream wheels and bumpers on this one to match its top

Idiosyncratic, brilliant and fun, the 2CV has succeeded where its French and Italian rivals have so far failed, capturing an enthusiast following so strong that prices have rocketed it out of its bargain basement origins.

But be wary: cheap to run doesn’t equate to cheap to restore and rotten cars disguised with underseal and shiny paint abound. Buy cautiously.

FOR

Cheap to run and maintain
Characterful and charming
All parts available, but prices are rising
Superb support from club and specialists

AGAINST

Can rot severely
Performance strictly limited
Tarted-up rot-boxes are not uncommon
Not the bargains they once were

Citroën 2CV specifications

Sold/number built 1948-’90/5,114,966
Construction rectangular-tube chassis with welded floor; bolt-on steel body
Engine air-cooled, all-alloy overhead-valve 375/425/435/602cc flat-twin, with Solex single- or twin-choke carburettor; 9bhp @ 3500rpm-29bhp @ 5750rpm; 14.5lb ft @ 2000rpm-29lb ft @ 3500rpm
Transmission four-speed, three-synchro manual, driving front wheels
Suspension: front leading arms, friction dampers (telescopic from ’74) rear trailing arms, telescopic dampers; horizontal interlinked coil springs
Steering rack and pinion, 2.3 turns lock-to-lock
Brakes drums all round, 7.9in front, 7.1in rear; 9.6in front discs from ’81
Length 12ft 5in-12ft 63/4in (3785-3830mm)
Width 4ft 101/4in (1480mm)
Height 5ft 3in (1600mm)
Wheelbase 7ft 91/4in-7ft 101/4in (2375-2400mm)
Weight 1120-1320lb (509-600kg)
0-60mph 27.3 secs (602cc)
Top speed 41-71mph
Mpg 36-60
Price new £2285-2745 (1982)