Classic Citroen Cars: 15 Six, 2CV, DS19, SM, D Super, GS

Do You Remember Your First Car?

Citroen Cars

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This guide celebrates the marque of Citroen, a company that has revolutionised the world of the automobile with such classics as the Traction Avant ( 1934 ), the 2CV ( 1949 ) and the DS ( 1955 ).

Citroen 15 Six

Citroen produced its first post-war car in June 1945. This was the Traction Avant, which was largely constructed of parts which had survived the war. The car was available in three versions: the Legere ( or Light ), Normale and 15 Six models. The first two had 1,911cc four-cylinder engines, producing 56bhp at 3,600rpm, while the Six had a 2,867cc six cylinder overhead valve engine, producing 77bhp at 3,800rpm.

Citroen 2CV

The biggest small car in the world, the Duck was first designed in 1936. By 1939, 250 had been built, and it was finally released for mass production in 1949. Its most redeeming features - the roll back roof, the suspension, the removable seats and trouble free engine remained virtually unchanged throughout its life and won the car a legion of fans.

Citroen DS19

Launched in 1955, the DS was one of the most innovative cars of the post-war period, with such features as a higly aerodynamic line ( the drag coefficient was 0.31 ), front-wheel drive and self-levelling air suspension using a central hydraulic unit that also fed the power-assisted steering, the clutch and the brakes ( front discs ). The original engine had four cylinders with a capacity of 1911cc, developing 75bhp at 4,500rpm. Around 1.5-million examples of the Deesse ( including ID ) were produced between 1955 and 1974.

Citroen SM

Citroen had effectively taken over Maserati in 1969 and the Italian company designed a four-cam 2.7-litre V-6 for a new sporting version of the DS called the SM or Citroen Maserati. The letters SM stood for Systeme Maserati in the same way the DS meant Deesse or goddess and this deluxe sporting coupe combined the technical strengths of both companies. A little shorter, but with recognisable family styling it offered 170bhp and a top speed of 142mph.

Citroen D Super

The D series received a major facelift in 1967 with a revision to the frontal treatment of the car. Twin headlights, faired into the wings, replaced the single headlamp styling and, in addition, the driving lights on the DS were coupled to the steering mechanism enabling the car to "see around corners". The new styling gave the car a much bolder appearance and as such won new customers to the marque.

Citroen GS

The Citroen GS was released in 1970 to bridge the gap between the 2CV and the DS. Although a middle-of-the-range car, the GS contained many of the gizmos from the DS, such as the air suspension and a braking system with discs all round. Its horizontally opposed, air-cooled, boxer engine ranged from 1015 to 1299cc and in 1974, 847 cars were also built with Wankel twin-rotar 107bhp engines capable of reaching 175km/h (109mph). Around 1.7-million examples of the Citroen GS were produced between 1970 and 1980.

Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

Classic 2CV Citroen Cars: Model A, AZA, Van (Camionette)

Do You Remember Your First Car? Was It A Classic 2CV Citroen?

2CV Citroen Cars

This is one of many illustrated classic car guides I've created for the community. I hope you enjoy it. If you wish to find out more about the classic 2CV Citroen car art featured in this guide please click here.

With its unassuming nostalgic charm, the Duck was the embodiment of an entire philosophy. After 41 years of production, and over five-million examples, one of the last truly distinctive cars of this century quietly breathed its last in Portuguese exile in July 1990.

2 CV ( model A )

Formally launched in October 1948 at the Paris Auto Show, the 2CV caused a sensation. Despite critical remarks from the press, more than a million visitors passed by three mouse-grey 2CVs on the Citroen stand and the orders piled up for the model, selling at the very reasonable price of 185,000 (old) Francs. The 9hp model A used a flat-twin, air-cooled engine of 375cc. It featured all-independent suspension, linked front to rear with drum brakes on all four wheels. There were no indicators, doors without locks, no ignition key (starter button on facia) and only one rear lamp.

2CV ( model AZA )

The 2CV underwent its first major facelift in 1960, with the introduction of a new front grille (with five bars). The heavily ribbed bonnet was now replaced by a smoother affair with only five ribbing lines and the side louvres disappeared in favour of a steam-lined air intake. The 375cc engine was at last discontinued in 1961. The only major changes that occurred during the 1960s were the addition of a third side window at the rear and another minor grille change, when the chevrons were moved up to the bonnet.

2CV Van ( Camionette )

Load carrying versions of the 2CV have an equally passionate following as the standard passenger cars. This unique vehicle began life in France as early as 1951 where it was known as the AU van or Fourgonette. It was fitted with the 375cc engine and had a payload of 250kg. Due to their corrugated appearance, these early vans were often scorned by detractors as "tin shacks on wheels" - but to their many owners they were a cheap and convenient way of carrying substantial loads with ease.

2CV Spot ( Special Orange Tenere )

The Spot is interesting in that it was the first 2CV special edition. In fact, "specials" were not common at all in 1976 and Spot was one of the first by any manufacturer. It featured orange and white adhesive body-stripes. Seats and hood were in orange, with and orange and white striped sunblind, which could be pulled forward to provide shade for the driver and front seat passenger when the hood was rolled back. The name Spot was an acronym for Special Orange Tenere. Today, few examples survive.

2CV Charleston

The 2 CV Charleston was produced in three distinct colour schemes, Delage red and black being the most popular. Originally a special edition of limited number, its production was extended to match demand. The two other Charleston colour schemes were light grey/dark grey and yellow/black and these were strictly limited in number. Charlestons were popular in Britain and Holland, less so in France. These models have the air of sophisticated town cars, rather than the practical, down to earth working vehicle, which describes most plainly painted 2CVs.

2CV Beachcomber ( or France 3/Transat )

Plain colours always remained more popular for 2CVs in France, although the France 3, a white car with a blue stripe to its panel and hood, did find favour. France 3 was a yacht entered in the America's Cup races, and part of the profits from the sale of the car went towards its construction and participation. As this bore little interest outside its country of origin, the same car in England was known as the Beachcomber and in Holland the model was called the Transat.

Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

2 CV Citroen Cars Model A, Fourgonette Van, 2CV Charleston

What is your favourite car of all time? Please leave a comment below. Is it the Citroen 2CV?

2CV Citroen Cars

This is one of many illustrated classic car guides I've created for the community. I hope you enjoy it. If you wish to find out more about the classic 2CV Citroen car art featured in this guide please click here.

With its unassuming nostalgic charm, the Duck was the embodiment of an entire philosophy. After 41 years of production, and over five-million examples, one of the last truly distinctive cars of this century quietly breathed its last in Portuguese exile in July 1990.

2 CV ( model A )

Formally launched in October 1948 at the Paris Auto Show, the 2CV caused a sensation. Despite critical remarks from the press, more than a million visitors passed by three mouse-grey 2CVs on the Citroen stand and the orders piled up for the model, selling at the very reasonable price of 185,000 (old) Francs. The 9hp model A used a flat-twin, air-cooled engine of 375cc. It featured all-independent suspension, linked front to rear with drum brakes on all four wheels. There were no indicators, doors without locks, no ignition key (starter button on facia) and only one rear lamp.

2CV ( model AZA )

The 2CV underwent its first major facelift in 1960, with the introduction of a new front grille (with five bars). The heavily ribbed bonnet was now replaced by a smoother affair with only five ribbing lines and the side louvres disappeared in favour of a steam-lined air intake. The 375cc engine was at last discontinued in 1961. The only major changes that occurred during the 1960s were the addition of a third side window at the rear and another minor grille change, when the chevrons were moved up to the bonnet.

2CV Van ( Camionette )

Load carrying versions of the 2CV have an equally passionate following as the standard passenger cars. This unique vehicle began life in France as early as 1951 where it was known as the AU van or Fourgonette. It was fitted with the 375cc engine and had a payload of 250kg. Due to their corrugated appearance, these early vans were often scorned by detractors as "tin shacks on wheels" - but to their many owners they were a cheap and convenient way of carrying substantial loads with ease.

2CV Spot ( Special Orange Tenere )

The Spot is interesting in that it was the first 2CV special edition. In fact, "specials" were not common at all in 1976 and Spot was one of the first by any manufacturer. It featured orange and white adhesive body-stripes. Seats and hood were in orange, with and orange and white striped sunblind, which could be pulled forward to provide shade for the driver and front seat passenger when the hood was rolled back. The name Spot was an acronym for Special Orange Tenere. Today, few examples survive.

2CV Charleston

The 2 CV Charleston was produced in three distinct colour schemes, Delage red and black being the most popular. Originally a special edition of limited number, its production was extended to match demand. The two other Charleston colour schemes were light grey/dark grey and yellow/black and these were strictly limited in number. Charlestons were popular in Britain and Holland, less so in France. These models have the air of sophisticated town cars, rather than the practical, down to earth working vehicle, which describes most plainly painted 2CVs.

2CV Beachcomber ( or France 3/Transat )

Plain colours always remained more popular for 2CVs in France, although the France 3, a white car with a blue stripe to its panel and hood, did find favour. France 3 was a yacht entered in the America's Cup races, and part of the profits from the sale of the car went towards its construction and participation. As this bore little interest outside its country of origin, the same car in England was known as the Beachcomber and in Holland the model was called the Transat.

Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!