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75° CITROEN 2cv

Milano: CITROEN celebrates 75 years of the 2 CV

WHERE:

Coin, La Maison Citroen - Piazza Cinque Giornate - Milano

WHEN:

From 05/10/2023 to 17/10/2023 - from 10.00 to 20.00

PRICE:

Free

It was celebrated in Paris and around the world (including Milano) the historic Citroen 2 CV, the most iconic model ever, which turns 75 years old.

Designed at the French automaker's style office, in rue du Théâtre in Paris, it is one of the masterpieces of Italian designer Flaminio Bertoni.

It was he who studied that singular silhouette that guaranteed him sympathy and a seductive capacity such as to conquer many people.

The design of the engine, on the other hand, was entrusted to the Piedmontese engineer Walter Becchia.

To celebrate the historic 2CV these days, from 5 to 17 October, in Milan, at the Maison Citroen, inside the Coin store in Piazza V Giornate, a 2 CV was exhibited.

A driver dressed in Parisian style gave the opportunity to delve into the fascinating history of the iconic model, along with the possibility of carrying out test drives of the latest Citroen, the AMI and the Citroen EC4X.

We at 1blog4u went and took some pictures that I hope you like. Very, very, very happy.

Not only because seeing a model of the legendary 2cv provides immeasurable joy regardless, but for the whole context.

First of all, the welcome. Thank you for your kindness, thank you for assisting us, thank you for the indications given to us to find some material.

There is a lot of talk about professionalism but believe me, it is not always accompanied by the outline of these events. That's why when we meet him, we like to emphasize it and with emphasis. We never take it for granted.

Below we also publish two historical hints of this wonderful icon.

Enjoy the reading

Gabriella Ruggieri for 1blog4u (ph. Vaifro Minoretti)

Poissy, 25 September 2023 - Citroën celebrates the 75th birthday of its most iconic models: the 2 CV. Designed at Citroën's design office on Rue du Théâtre in Paris and fine-tuned at the La Ferté-Vidame test centre in the Eureet-Loir region, it was unveiled to the public at the Paris Motor Show on 7 October 1948. The 2 CV enjoyed an exceptional career: a total of 5,114,969 units were produced, including 1,246,335 2 CV vans. The very last 2 CV left the Mangualde factory in Portugal 42 years after its launch at 4 PM on 27 July 1990.

THE ORIGINS OF THE 2 CV: THE “TPV” PROJECT

The “TPV” (Toute Petite Voiture or very small car) project was born in the mid-thirties, in 1936. Its aim was to provide people on low incomes with an economical, versatile car. In 1937, the first roadworthy prototype of the TPV project saw the light of day, weighing just 370 kg and with only one headlight (legislation at the time did not require two). The vehicle could carry up to four people and 50 kg of luggage at a maximum speed of 50 km/h and was extremely comfortable. 250 pre-production models were due to be unveiled at the 1939 Paris Motor Show. But the outbreak of war put paid to this. The models which had been built were therefore destroyed – all except four which were secretly kept at the Citroën Test Centre at La Ferté-Vidame.

A LEGENDARY CAR THAT HAS BECOME AN ICON OF THE MOTORING WORLD

When it went into production in July 1949, the 2 CV was a small car with a 9 bhp, 375 cc, air-cooled, flat-twin engine capable of a top speed of 50 km/h. Citroën had revolutionised the car industry with an economical and versatile vehicle. Its unique body shape and appeal quickly won over a large part of the population. But its huge success can also be attributed to its infinite range of uses, as well as its removable benches, its lightness, agility and comfort. Not to mention the fact that it was ultra economical to run, making it the most popular car. By 1950, orders were flooding in, pushing delivery times up to 6 years. Its avant-garde spirit, with its ingenious technologies for the time, ensured that it remained part of the motoring scene for many years. The 2 CV is a timeless model that has become a veritable social phenomenon, attracting collectors from all over the world. And it is still frequently seen on our roads. The 2 CV is also known around the world in many different ways, and its reputation made it earned a number of nicknames. Some of the best known are "Deuche", "Deudeuche" and "Ugly Duckling", to name but a few. This wide variety of nicknames shows just how popular this historic and iconic model was.

SEVERAL VERSIONS AND EPICS ACROSS THE WORLD'S ROADS
In total, there were ten special editions of the 2 CV, launched in France and a number of other European countries. They included the Spot, the Charleston and the Cocorico. The 2 CV also underwent a number of changes, including the launch of the 2 CV van (known as the 2 CV AU) in 1951, and then the 2 CV AZ in 1954, equipped with a 12 bhp engine and the famous centrifugal clutch. What's more, the 2 CV got to drive on roads the world over thanks to various Raids – such as the 16,500 km ParisKaboul-Paris Raid in 1970, the 13,500 km Paris-Persépolis Raid in 1971 and the 8,000 km Africa Raid from Abidjan to Tunis in 1973, all three organised by Citroën.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ON 7 OCTOBER AT THE CONSERVATOIRE
On 7 October, an unmissable automotive event is on the horizon: the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the legendary Citroën 2 CV at the Conservatoire Citroën. To mark this memorable anniversary, seventy-five 2 CVs restored and passionately maintained by private collectors, registered and will be brought together at the Conservatoire Citroën in Aulnay-sous-Bois. From 10 a.m., visitors will have the chance to discover these jewels of automotive history and talk to their owners. The event is open to the public and will be an unforgettable day out for Citroën fans, classic car enthusiasts and the curious. Visitors will also have the opportunity to visit the Conservatoire, which houses around 250 iconic models from the double-chevron brand, providing a fascinating insight into Citroën's rich history.

EIGHT ICONIC 2 CVS PHOTOGRAPHED FOR THE OCCASION

To mark this anniversary, eight iconic 2 CVs from the Citroën Conservatoire have been photographed from a particularly artistic angle:
• The 2 CV 6 by Hermès, dressed by Hermès inside and out, was shown at the 2008 Paris Motor Show to mark the 60th birthday of the 2 CV.

• The 2 CV 6 Spécial, one of the last 2 CVs produced at the Levallois plant in 1988

• The 2 CV Spot, Citroën's first special edition, 1,800 of which were built with two-tone upholstery and bodywork based on a design by stylist Serge Gevin.

• The 2 CV A, one of 250 prototypes built in 1939 for the Motor Show, which ended up being cancelled because of the Second World War. One of the four remaining vehicles at the Citroën Conservatoire.

• The 2 CV A Berline (1950), identical to the one unveiled by Pierre Boulanger at the opening of the Paris Motor Show in 1948.

• The right-hand-drive 2 CV A, built in Slough (UK) from 1953. It had a sheet-metal trunk and opening rear windows. To this day, it is the oldest British 2 CV in Europe.

• The 2 CV AZU, a 2 CV van produced from 1954 until March 1978, has a large load capacity and rear “cupboard” doors for easy loading.

• The 2 CV 4 x 4 “Sahara”, with four-wheel drive and two engines that enable it to negotiate gradients of over 40 per cent in the sand.

Citroën Since 1919, Citroën has been creating automobiles, technologies and mobility solutions to respond to changes in society. A bold and innovative brand, Citroën places peace of mind and well-being at the heart of its customer experience and offers a wide range of models, from the distinctive Ami - an electric vehicle designed for the city -, to saloons, SUVs and commercial vehicles, most of which are available in electric or rechargeable plug-in versions. A pioneering brand in the services it delivers and the attention paid to its private and professional customers, Citroën is present in 101 countries and has a network of 6,200 points of sale and service centres throughout the world. For more information about Citroën, visit the media site at https://fr-media.citroen.com

About L’Aventure Citroën

L'Aventure Citroën is a non-profit association whose mission is to preserve, develop and promote the heritage of the Citroën brand.

Its teams work with and for its members and all enthusiasts, developing its documentation, maintenance and restoration services for classic vehicles in its workshops in Aulnay-sous-Bois in the Paris region and in Sochaux in the Doubs département. The association also sells spare parts for oldtimers and youngtimers, and related products all via a single website www.boutique-laventure-association.com.

If you are passionate about the history of Citroën or would like to contribute to the preservation of an exceptional heritage: Join the association: http://www.laventure-association.com.

Citroën Conservatoire Boulevard André Citroën 93600 Aulnay-sous-Bois

(Press Contacts: MARCO FRESCHI - P.R. MANAGER CITROËN ITALY - MARCO.FRESCHI@STELLANTIS.COM - Cell. +39 335 6988099)

Visit the Gallery (ph. Vaifro Minoretti and Citroën)