Thursday, September 4, 2025
The History of the 2CV part
1950-1970: THE GLORY YEARS
1950: It's finally here!!! Production accelerates (400 units per day) and the number of 2CVs on the roads of France grows. They are found in many professions (social workers, country doctors, mail carriers, priests, etc.).
At the 1950 Motor Show, Citroën offers a van version. Crowds flock and orders pour in. Here is a utility vehicle eagerly awaited by the population. It is named the 2CV AU (U for Utility).
1951: The van is now available for sale. With its multiple uses, it is very popular in the delivery industry.
You have to be very patient to get yours, as waiting lists can be several years long...
It's not uncommon for people who receive their AU to immediately order another one to be sure of getting one 5 or 6 years later!
1953 Change in the grille type. The circle has been removed, leaving only the two large aluminum chevrons.
The hole for the crank is still there.1954 In April 1954, a model called the 2CV PO (for "Dust") was offered to the African Colonies to protect the engine from the sand.
In 1954, the 2CV AZ model was released.
A 2CV AL model was assembled at the Forest factories in Belgium. It featured a trunk lid, slim bumpers, a trapezoidal rear window, fender lights, wheel hubcaps, chrome trim strips for decoration, fender flares, etc.
Best year of production for the Type A: 43,250 units!!!
1955 The 2CV AZ in 1955 still had its small rear window (on a gray canvas top), its trim was plaid, the bumpers were body-colored, and the hood and rocker panel strips had been removed.
1956 The AZ door trim was gray with dark gray veins. Shortly after, the 2CV AZL (L for "Luxury") was introduced. (New starter, chrome strip running down the center of the hood, modified hood and rocker panels, windshield defroster nozzle).
1957 The soft top drop was replaced with a sheet metal box.
1958 In March 1958, the 2CV "Sahara" was completely astonished. A 4x4 model with two engines (a second one was placed in the trunk), also usable as a 4x2 and 2x4, and easily recognizable by the tire mounted on the hood. Production ended in 1967, and few models were sold.
1959: A removable radio arrived: the "Radioën" (yes, it can be removed for use indoors).
The classic 2CV model received a blue interior and a new body color with matching soft top (Ref AC 606).
Note the metal steering wheel, the speedometer on the left, the "round" rubber pedals, the "suicide" door opening mechanism, etc.
Simplicity was the watchword at the time...
1960 New color: Sea Spray Green (ref. AC 511). The front bench seat bar is protected by rubber.
A new look. Arrival of a new five-ribbed hood and a new alloy grille. (Chassis no.: 2 510 001)
A new color is added: Panama Yellow (AC 307).
1961 Production of the 375 cc model is discontinued. The van model adopts the modifications (hood, grille, etc.).
1962 Arrival of a new model nicknamed the 2CV Mixte. For Belgium, it was renamed the 2CV AZC (C for "Commercial"). Special opening for the trunk (the rear window also raised with the unit), allowing for the loading of larger items. A unique feature was the spare tire mounted under the hood.
Colors: Poppy red, brown or pinkish gray hood.
The seat covers were brown or tangerine. Green covers and a medium gray hood followed.
1963 Numerous modifications were made this year: engine, gearbox, carburetor, brakes and clutch, bumpers, headlight brackets, etc.
This was the 2CV AZAM (AM for "Improved").
New colors appeared:
- Pinkish gray (AC 136)
- Monte Carlo blue (AC 605)
- Caribbean beige (AC 309)
The hoods were brown, gray, or red.
The 2CV AZL was still available in the Citroën catalog.
1965 In 1965, a new grille with three horizontal slats was introduced. The chevrons were moved slightly higher on the hood (5 ribs).
The AZL model was called AZA in the sales catalog.
New colors: Fog blue and Etna gray.
A new side window, called the quarter window, was added.
1967 The 2CV AZAM was renamed Export.
1950: It's finally here!!! Production accelerates (400 units per day) and the number of 2CVs on the roads of France grows. They are found in many professions (social workers, country doctors, mail carriers, priests, etc.).
At the 1950 Motor Show, Citroën offers a van version. Crowds flock and orders pour in. Here is a utility vehicle eagerly awaited by the population. It is named the 2CV AU (U for Utility).
1951: The van is now available for sale. With its multiple uses, it is very popular in the delivery industry.
You have to be very patient to get yours, as waiting lists can be several years long...
It's not uncommon for people who receive their AU to immediately order another one to be sure of getting one 5 or 6 years later!
1953 Change in the grille type. The circle has been removed, leaving only the two large aluminum chevrons.
The hole for the crank is still there.1954 In April 1954, a model called the 2CV PO (for "Dust") was offered to the African Colonies to protect the engine from the sand.
In 1954, the 2CV AZ model was released.
A 2CV AL model was assembled at the Forest factories in Belgium. It featured a trunk lid, slim bumpers, a trapezoidal rear window, fender lights, wheel hubcaps, chrome trim strips for decoration, fender flares, etc.
Best year of production for the Type A: 43,250 units!!!
1955 The 2CV AZ in 1955 still had its small rear window (on a gray canvas top), its trim was plaid, the bumpers were body-colored, and the hood and rocker panel strips had been removed.
1956 The AZ door trim was gray with dark gray veins. Shortly after, the 2CV AZL (L for "Luxury") was introduced. (New starter, chrome strip running down the center of the hood, modified hood and rocker panels, windshield defroster nozzle).
1957 The soft top drop was replaced with a sheet metal box.
1958 In March 1958, the 2CV "Sahara" was completely astonished. A 4x4 model with two engines (a second one was placed in the trunk), also usable as a 4x2 and 2x4, and easily recognizable by the tire mounted on the hood. Production ended in 1967, and few models were sold.
1959: A removable radio arrived: the "Radioën" (yes, it can be removed for use indoors).
The classic 2CV model received a blue interior and a new body color with matching soft top (Ref AC 606).
Note the metal steering wheel, the speedometer on the left, the "round" rubber pedals, the "suicide" door opening mechanism, etc.
Simplicity was the watchword at the time...
1960 New color: Sea Spray Green (ref. AC 511). The front bench seat bar is protected by rubber.
A new look. Arrival of a new five-ribbed hood and a new alloy grille. (Chassis no.: 2 510 001)
A new color is added: Panama Yellow (AC 307).
1961 Production of the 375 cc model is discontinued. The van model adopts the modifications (hood, grille, etc.).
1962 Arrival of a new model nicknamed the 2CV Mixte. For Belgium, it was renamed the 2CV AZC (C for "Commercial"). Special opening for the trunk (the rear window also raised with the unit), allowing for the loading of larger items. A unique feature was the spare tire mounted under the hood.
Colors: Poppy red, brown or pinkish gray hood.
The seat covers were brown or tangerine. Green covers and a medium gray hood followed.
1963 Numerous modifications were made this year: engine, gearbox, carburetor, brakes and clutch, bumpers, headlight brackets, etc.
This was the 2CV AZAM (AM for "Improved").
New colors appeared:
- Pinkish gray (AC 136)
- Monte Carlo blue (AC 605)
- Caribbean beige (AC 309)
The hoods were brown, gray, or red.
The 2CV AZL was still available in the Citroën catalog.
1965 In 1965, a new grille with three horizontal slats was introduced. The chevrons were moved slightly higher on the hood (5 ribs).
The AZL model was called AZA in the sales catalog.
New colors: Fog blue and Etna gray.
A new side window, called the quarter window, was added.
1967 The 2CV AZAM was renamed Export.