1964 Citroën 2CV

Registration No: EBY 785B
Chassis No: 1646049
MOT: Exempt

• Early ‘AZA’ model, featuring the revised rear door orientation, overriders, a speedometer, and without the ‘custode’ third rear window seen on later variants.
• Presented in the attractive ‘Gris Rose’ with a striking Orange cloth interior.
• Subject to significant expenditure shortly after its import to the UK in 2018, and enjoyed since.
• Displaying some 67,359 miles on the odometer.

The development of Citroën's ever-charming Deux Chevaux dates back to 1936 – a couple of years after the company was rescued by Michelin. It was designed to mobilise the large number of French farmers still reliant on horses and carts. Research among France’s rural population produced a unique design brief: a low-priced, rugged 'umbrella on four wheels' capable of transporting four peasants and 110lb of farm goods to market at 31mph, in clogs, over muddy, unpaved roads – including the ability to carry eggs across a ploughed field without breaking them. Production was delayed by WWII, but began in 1948, following which 3,872,583 2CVs were built across 11 factories worldwide (including one in Slough, England) before production finally ceased in 1990 due to tightening regulations.

First registered in November 1964 as a home-market example, chassis 1646049 is an early ‘AZA’ model, featuring the new rear door orientation, overriders, and a speedometer, and notably lacking the ‘custode’ third rear window introduced on later models. Finished in the attractive ‘Gris Rose’, the car remained in France for the majority of its life, the details of which are largely unknown, before being imported to the UK and registered on 1st June 2018.

Now registered as ‘EBY 785B’, the car was subject to considerable expenditure around 2019–2020 to bring it up to standard. Of particular note, in May 2020 the engine and gearbox were replaced following a failed big end bearing. Recycled parts were sourced, including a 425cc block, gearbox with long shaft, clutch unit with new friction plate material, barrels and pistons with new piston rings and honed bores, an oil pump, crank seals and gaskets, and an oil cooler. The new engine was assembled, the gearbox installed, and the front brakes overhauled for good measure. The total cost of these works exceeded £5,000.

‘EBY 785B’ was acquired by the current owner in 2023 as an addition to his collection. Following purchase, the bodywork was tidied, including the bonnet being repainted, and the car has since been enjoyed on occasional trips to local shows. Now offered for sale as the vendor seeks to reduce his collection and showing some 67,359 miles on the odometer, the car is accompanied by a history file that includes a large number of invoices and receipts for parts and labour, photographs from a previous owner, a Declaration of Importation, NOVA Certificate, and Number Plate Authorisation Certificate. Also included are a dashboard layout printout, gearbox layout printout, and the current V5C document, which records four former keepers.

A small selection of sundry spares is also included with the vehicle, along with a tailored car cover and a 6V charger.

For more information, please contact:
Andreas Hicks
andreas.hicks@handh.co.uk
07929 363573