A Car That Has Stayed In Production For 86 Years And Is Still Selling. A 1989 Citroen 2CV6 Dolly

'An Umbrella On Wheels' Is One Such Car - For Sale With H&H Classics Online. Ends 14th September

16/08/2022     General News

Located in West Sussex and with a starting bid of £1,500, this original right-hand drive Citroen 2CV is a very good example of the breed and is now available for those who love all things French through H&H Classics’ online sale which ends on September 14th.

 The development of Citroën's ever-charming Deux Chevaux dates back to 1936, 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 which the ageing design had been defeated by contemporary legislation. The peak of 2CV sales in the United Kingdom would be reached in 1986, thanks to the introduction of the popular Dolly special edition (see below)—7,520 new 2CVs were registered in Britain that year.

Manufactured in 1989, this 2CV6 Dolly was supplied new on the 4th of May 1989, it is fitted with the 602cc two-cylinder air-cooled engine mated to the four-speed manual gearbox. Finished in the colour combination of Cream and Maroon paintwork with a Grey cloth interior upholstery, ‘F514 JKN’ is a well-enjoyed example having

covered 93,329 miles from new (at time of consignment). Fitted with a galvanized '2CV City' replacement chassis, by the previous owner, this 'Dolly' has been in the vendor's ownership since June 2018. In her custodianship, the Citroën has benefitted from the refreshment of the interior and was subject to a full brake overhaul including overhauled callipers, new pipework and fitment of front brake cooling ducts. Electronic ignition was fitted while the headlights and fuel pump were replaced.

The 2CV is offered with a selection of spare parts, two sets of keys and a history file containing an original book pack presented in the Citroën wallet including the handbook and service book, a selection of recent invoices and a current V5C.