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Citroen 2 CV6 Special

Mileage: 2816 Top Speed: 71 Year: 1985 0 - 60: 32 MOT Expiry: Oct 13 BHP: 29 Tax Expiry: SORN Transmission: 4 Speed Manual Exterior Colour: White Engine Capacity: 602 Interior Colour: Grey Cloth Engine Configuration: Flat 2

Citroen 2 CV6 Special | £12,995

Mileage: 2816

Model History

The Citroën 2CV was an economy car produced between 1948 and 1990. In French this means "deux chevaux" literally the "two tax horsepower" in keeping with the current vehicle tax of the time. The 2CV was technologically advanced and innovative but with uncompromisingly unconventional looks and deceptively simple bodywork that disguised the sheer quality of its underlying engineering. It was designed to move the French peasantry on from horses and carts and is now considered one of Citroën's most iconic cars.

 

The design brief was: A low-priced, rugged "umbrella on four wheels" that would enable four peasants to drive 50 kg of farm goods to market at 50 km/h in clogs and across muddy unpaved roads if necessary. The car would use no more than 3L of gasoline to travel 100 km (78 mpg). Most famously, it would be able to drive across a ploughed field without breaking the eggs it was carrying.

 

In 1953 Autocar in a technical review of the car wrote of "the extraordinary ingenuity of this design, which is undoubtedly the most original since the Model T Ford". It was described by Car Magazine journalist and author L. J. K. Setright as "the most intelligent application of minimalism ever to succeed as a car". It was designed for low cost, simplicity of use and maintenance, versatility, reliability, low fuel consumption and off-road driving. For this it had a light, easily serviceable engine, extremely soft long travel suspension, high ground clearance and for oversized loads a car-wide canvas sunroof, which until 1955 also covered the boot.

 

During a production run of 42 years between 1948 and 1990, 3,872,583 2CVs were produced in various different forms and special editions with assembly in over 9 different countries. Mechanically, the earliest cars were introduced with a 375cc engine which was upgraded to a 425cc engine relatively quickly, then followed a 435cc engine and a finally a 602cc version surfaced in 1968 getting improved breathing apparatus as time went on.

 

This 1985 2CV6 Special features the most powerful 602cc engine with 29hp fed through a double choke carburettor. The '6' representing the engine size.

Equipment

Passenger and Interior mirror.

Exterior

This quirky 2CV6 is in quite unbelievable time warp condition. Kept warm and garaged for all of its life it has never had, needed or seen any welding repairs, this is evident from the immaculate floor pans, engine bay and underside. The paintwork is in perfect condition looking fresh, clean and displaying a deep white shine. The chrome work is immaculate with no pitting or fading. All of the original glass is still fitted and the canvas sunroof a brand new genuine Citroën item.

Interior

Finished in grey cloth the minimalist interior is as it was when it rolled out of the factory and still remains in new showroom condition. Swing open the light doors and hop into the sparse interior, perfectly simple there is not much in the way of driver controls, its original pristine steering wheel still retaining a deep texture and sits in front of a dashboard displaying only the speedo, odometer, fuel gauge and a diagram of how to use the dashboard gear stick. All of the switch works as it should with precise and positive actions mirroring the fabulous condition of the car.  Explore the interior further and its clear that the opportunity to sample such a truly original 2CV is very very rare.

Engine & Transmission

The 602cc flat 2 cylinder engine fires into life quickly with a keen desire to get going. While many 2CVs have been converted to electric ignition this car is still in keeping with the rest of the cars stunning originality on plugs and point and also retaining its double choke carburettor. The engine has been fully serviced and fitted with a brand new exhaust and as such it runs and drives perfectly. Release the column operated parking brake and the 4 speed gearbox slots through the gears neatly with only a little care needed going back into first due to the limited nature of the standard syncro.

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

Wrapped in 125x15 Michelin tyres the wheels are in glorious condition topped with some pristine chrome centre caps. The brakes work and have an easy life bringing such a light machine to a stop.

History File

First registered on the 1/2/1985 this 2CV6 has spent very little of its life on the road. Its first owner keeping it tucked away until 2003 covering a mere 1954 miles before it was sold to its current owner by the Tin Snail Company.

 

The original owners pack is still present with a selection of MOT certificates and recent bills for servicing and replacement parts.