Sometimes an odd car catches your eye, and you end up down a rabbit hole. This Citroën caught my eye, and I had to know more. In French, Fourgonette means van or minivan. The Citroën 2CV was produced from 1948 to 1990. Over 5 million were made, making it one of the most prolific models ever. It became the first front-wheel-drive car to sell over 1 million units worldwide. The 1959 model available here on eBay is one of 1.2 million Fourgonettes made from 1951 to 1987. The asking price is $7,999. Since they typically sell at an average auction price of $14,500, its actual condition would determine whether it commands a higher price.
This Fourgonette is not in what you would call concourse condition. On the contrary, it looks like it’s been a workhorse for the last 67 years. But workhorse may be a relative term here. Originally, it came with a 2-cylinder boxer engine that was 425cc (25 cubic inches), giving it a whopping 24 Bhp at 3500 RPM and 29 lb.-ft of torque at 2000 RPM. This 2CV has a 602cc engine and transmission that is said to have been “fully gone through.” New parts include seals, oil cooler, carburetor, fuel pump, Harley coil, fan belt, points, rebuilt starter, Alternator, master cylinder, etc. The original drivetrain is also available if you want it.
The odd little interior is, in a word, spartan. It looks like it hasn’t changed much over the years and is as worn as the exterior. And speaking of the exterior, there isn’t much paint left to buff. The owner says the frame has been worked on, the vehicle is roadworthy, and it has been driven several hundred well-behaved miles. Top speed is now said to be around 60 MPH.
At a selling price of $7,999, I believe you will have to be a big Citroën 2CV fan to purchase this. However, I also see it painted and parked at a farmers’ market somewhere, with an artisan selling from the back. With the current owner having mostly sorted out the mechanicals, it seems the appearance needs the most work. Small but mighty, this model has been used worldwide in grueling environments. Interested in a French icon?
Love to have this to pop around town. I’d leave the exterior as is, almost wish it had old graphics on the sides advertising a local bistro. At gas prices these days this is a great investment.
Vehicle is located in Maurertown, Virginia.
Thank you.
What a great project to finish. Surface rust but no holes. Solid, and a solid drivetrain.
I like being married, so I have to pass, but I could go get this with my truck from south Jersey.
The price seems right — if the body and frame don’t need a lot of work. There are very few pictures of the underside.
I have a later 2CV. At first glance I noticed the heater ducts are missing from the engine. That in itself is super cheap and simple to rectify. But they may have been removed because the heat exchangers rusted through — which is not so cheap. If so much work has been done to it, why leave such a simple thing undone?
Also, why all the duct tape on the sheet metal? Although it appears to be just surface rust, the steel on these is a super thin gauge — meaning there’s not much surface to rust before it rusts right through. It’s also missing some parts at the front end — as evidenced by the fact that the hood has to be chained down instead of latched.
These things make the frame and body parts of an original Beetle seem substantive.
But they are also tons of fun!
Put an LS in it.
Let’s face it folks, car folks…..one does not acquire a 2CV for its looks, but this is pushing it…..🥸😁
For a driving video, see here:
https://youtu.be/wSiqYWsFXoM?si=M-HETFIw6jiuI2wb
Then, just Google “Austin Mini Van” to see a real “mini van,” near the same vintage. And don’t forget the Morris Minor van.
Inspector Clouseau, your car awaits…
Great vehicle – strictly business (and cool looks)
25 cubic inches and 24 HP? Corvette didn’t make 1 HP/CI until it had fuel injection. I suspect your original engine specs are wrong.
The standard 602cc engine with twin-choke carb makes 29bhp; think it’s about 36 cubic inches, by my calculation. I was getting 38 or 39bhp out of tuned ones with the same carburettor.
There’s no heater hoses because the older engines’ exhaust is in a different place and the hoses are different lengths; you’d need custom ones.
jwaltb, you are absolutely right. Looking where I got my information I see that it was actually a whopping 12hp for the original 425cc boxer engine. Thanks for catching that.
According to two different sources online, 1954-1970 Citroen 425 cc boxers made 12 HP.
Looks like it holds a load of grey hounds headed to the track.
simplicity was the norm when they made cars in the 40’s and fifties and the concept is catching on now because of the complicated issues and computers and other addons the Modern-day cars have now, that owners cannot even fathom what is wrong with their car other than take it to a dealer or a well-equipped repair shop to know if it can be fixed and at what cost. looking at the simplicity of this French product i am reminded of my 1967 and 1963 Toyota land cruisers i have, that have similar concept built into those machines as well. Their simplicity and ruggedness commands respect even today from many enthusiast all over the world including me that have seen these machines in action in the 60’s and 70’s in countries with all kinds of terrain being used on a daily basis for everyday transportation. I have always admired simplicity in machines including cars and trucks the only add on being a AM radio and a winch to get you out of a difficult situation if it does arise. I am happy that I realized this concept when i came to the united states in the 70’s and collected some of these cars and suv’s to work on and drive during my spare time and retirement. Now i am enjoying what i have now and loving every minute of it, and hope other people have done the same when these machines were available to purchase at very reasonable prices…
Seems remarkably unrusty for a 2 CV. I would still do a body off. Chassis are available, but they are different from late model chassis and not available in the US. They are available from France.
Fun Facts: The 2CV was mostly developed before WWII, and protypes were hiden from the Nazis. When released in 1948, it was the first production vehicle in the world with Michelin’s revolutionary radial tires.
It’s best sales year was 1974, when the fuel crisis made its great fuel economy a big selling point!