Sixty Years of the Citroen 2CV

The British read French books and watch French films, they consume French food and wine, and they also choose to drive French cars. By common consent, of all these Gallic vehicles none is more representative of the French character than the Deux Chevaux. 12 years in design and development and 41 years in manufacture, its lifespan covered well over half a century, making it one of the longest-running motoring success stories of all time. Yet at its first appearance at the Paris motor show in 1948 it was dismissed by most motoring journalists and commentators as a commercial disaster - but not by the buying public. Eventually, almost seven million of its various versions and derivatives were built. Today, 10 years after its manufacture ceased, it is still as popular as ever.