French Foreigner: 1966 Citroen 2CV – Sold?

November 11, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

French automaker Citroen officially imported its answer to the VW Beetle, the 2CV or “Deux Chevaux” into the U.S. up through the model year 1966. New Federal emissions and safety standards enacted for 1967 were too much for the antiquated 2CV to meet.  Finding one of these originally imported to the U.S. is nearly impossible, so the seller of this red and white 1966 example originally listed in October 2021 on Craigslist in Jamestown, Rhode Island did the next best thing. Specifically, they imported it from France in 2015 before having it restored here in the States in 2018.

Currently offered at $28,500, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their 2CV priced between this guide’s #2 “Excellent” estimate of $24,600 and its #1 “Concours” appraisal of $37,300.  Interestingly, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool provides a much different assessment as in this case the asking price is nearly six thousand dollars above this guide’s #1 “Excellent” appraisal of only $22,700.

The Citroën 2CV, which in French is pronounced “deux chevaux,”  translates to “two steam horses”, which harkens back to when the French automaker first marketed this car as a replacement for a farm’s horses. The 2CV is an air-cooled front-engine, front-wheel-drive economy car introduced at the 1948 Paris Auto Show and manufactured by Citroën from that year all the way to 1990.

Conceived by Citroën Vice-President Pierre Boulanger to convert a large number of farmers still using horses and carts in post-World War II France, the 2CV has a combination of innovative engineering and utilitarian, straightforward metal bodywork—initially corrugated for added strength without added weight.  The 2CV featured low cost, simplicity of overall maintenance, an easily serviced air-cooled engine (originally offering 9 hp), low fuel consumption, and an extremely long-travel suspension offering a soft ride and light off-road capability. Often called “an umbrella on wheels”, the fixed-profile convertible bodywork featured a full-width, canvas, roll-back sunroof, which accommodated oversized loads and until 1955 reached almost to the car’s rear bumper. Fun fact: Michelin introduced and first commercialized radial tires with the introduction of the 2CV.  Manufactured in France between 1948 and 1988 (and in Portugal from 1988 to 1990), Citroën produced more than 3.8 million 2CVs during that time, along with over 1.2 million small 2CV-based delivery vans known as fourgonnettes.

The Hagerty Insurance YouTube Channel provides this Buyer’s Guide for those of you interested in purchasing a vintage Deux Chevaux:

If you dare to be different and prefer to do it going very slowly, this 1966 Citroen 2CV may be the vintage car to add to your garage.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“STUNNING1966 CITROEN 2CV
The Citroen Deux Chevaux was produced between 1948 and 1990; famously designed to be able to carry four people and 50kg of goods at 30 mph on muddy or unpaved roads.
I acquired this car six years ago and had it professionally and completely restored in 2018.

*Engine and Body in excellent shape
*Beautifully detailed and painted in “Dolly” colors -Classic Two-Tone Cherry Red and Cream
*Very reliable; great gas mileage
*Odometer reads 26300 km
*Imported into the U.S.A. from its original country of origin -France, in the early 80’s (-beware of 2cv’s imported from Argentina and Chile).
*Air cooled 602cc engine
* 2 cylinders
* 4 speed
*No rust (-kept garaged)

A rare find in this tip-top condition. Fun to drive and a great collector’s car.“

Show or go: what would you do with this restored 1966 Citroen 2CV?  Comment below and let us know!