2CV6

In 1934, a design study was lead by Pierre-Jules Boulanger (Michelin's architect) at the Citroen Factory at Levallois, to develop car which he described to his team as an 'umbrella on four wheels'.

Boulanger further explained to his chief engineer, Maurice Brogly, that the car, now designated TPV (for Trés Petite Voiture)  should be cheap, and appeal to France's rural community and to those many thousands of citizens that had never owned a car. He said that the car should be able to carry two peasants in their working clothes, together with 50Kg of potatoes and have a top speed of 37.5mph, and have a petrol consumption of 3 litres per 100 kilometres - which was over 90MPG!

It is also said that the reason the car had such a high roof-line, which is becoming common on many so called MPV's, is because Boulanger, who was a tall man, insisted on being able to enter the driving seat with ease, even wearing a hat!

Since 1948, when the 2CV finally reached the end of its 12 year gestation period and WWII, over Seven Million 2CV's have been built. They have been built all over the world, including Britain, in Citroén's old Slough Factory, (now  Mars Confectionary). 

Our 2CV, which is my wife Julie's car, is a 1985 Spécial, which was one of the last 2CV's to be built in France at Levallois, before production ceased in 1998, and moved to Mangualde, Portugal. 

The pictures left show our 2CV in various poses, one even semi-naked!

The first picture was taken not long after we purchased the vehicle, and shows the car in fine condition for its age.

The second, was taken at Leigh-On-Sea in Essex, at a Citroën Car Club meeting, and you can just see the metal 'salad plates' which now adorn the wheels to hide the ugly 3 stud wheel fixings.

The final 'nude' picture was taken by Julie in horror, as she saw me  performing an oil-filter change by what to her seemed like taking her pride and joy apart!

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