Lot details
Registration No: 970 UYP
Chassis No: 728496
Mot Expiry: Sept 2019

- Full and comprehensive restoration by H Engineering of Tunbridge Wells

- Superb original equipment and detail with illuminated monsieur Bibendum figurine

- Said to be in Concours condition

- Full photographic record

- MOT September 2019

The development of Citroën's ever-charming Deux Chevaux dates back to 1936, ie a couple of years after the company had been rescued by Michelin. It was intended to motorise the large number of French farmers still relying on horses and carts, and it was research carried out amongst France's largely rural population that determined the following unique design brief: a low-priced, rugged 'umbrella on four wheels' that would enable four peasants to drive 110lb of farm goods to market at 31mph in clogs and via muddy, unpaved roads; including transporting eggs across a ploughed field without breaking them. Production was delayed by WWII, but began in 1948, following which 3,872,583 2CVs were manufactured via 11 factories across the world (including one in Slough, England) between 1948 and 1990, by when the ageing design had been defeated by contemporary legislation.

The quite exceptional lefthand drive 2CV on offer is a van version that's been fully restored in its original Michelin livery and is considered by the vendor to be of concours standard throughout. The body-off refurbishment re-employed as many of the original components as possible, and included: the fully overhauled chassis, engine, gearbox/transaxle, brake and steering systems. The period correct Grey bodywork has been professionally sign written exactly as it would have been originally. The load area is equipped with a tyre rack containing four Citroën 2CV tyres, while the roof hosts an original Monsieur Bibendum figurine that illuminates whenever the vehicles lights are employed. For added effect, '970 UYP' comes complete with an original set of 1960/1970 fitter's overalls. Under the circumstances it comes as no surprise that the fastidious vendor considers the bodywork, paintwork, cloth interior trim, two-cylinder boxer engine and four-speed manual gearbox to all be in 'excellent' order, and is offering this charming item of French automotive history with MOT into September 2019.