Monday, August 25, 2025
The History of the 2CV part 1
Following a Cart Traffic Jam 1934-1950: THE BEGINNINGS OF A GREAT STORY
1934 Mr. Pierre Jules Boulanger (nicknamed PJB) took over the Citroën design office. His close collaborators were engineer André Lefebvre and the man with the "golden fingers," Flaminio Bertoni.
While traveling with peasant women in the middle of a small village, he realized that the automobile was not yet accessible to all social classes...
This gave him an idea: "We must create a car for the people... simple, without too many amenities, capable of carrying a few people and their goods, usable on any type of terrain... but above all, economical."
1937 The first prototype was ready but dangerous to drive. Its code name, the TPV, stands for Très Petite Voiture (very small car, some people also call it Toute Petite Voiture).
Afraid that the idea would be taken up by another manufacturer, PJB bought a fully walled property (La Ferté Vidame - Eure) 100 km west of Paris to conduct its tests.
49 prototype vehicles were built and tested on a specially designed circuit (over 2.5 km with all types of terrain).
1938 Around twenty models (constantly modified) are still being tested. For PJB, it is high time to gather the best ideas and prepare for the launch of the TPV (especially since manufacturers, the press, etc., are beginning to wonder about the hidden occupations behind these stone walls).
1939 On September 2, the first TPV is ready to be shown to the general public. A few days later, war is declared... The motor show will not take place.
The assembly line is requisitioned for military equipment and the TPVs under construction are sent to the scrapyard... PJB does not want his idea to be taken up by the occupying forces.
During the long war period, PJB works in the shadows on his project. The TPV continues its evolution... The Germans want to know more about his project, but he refuses all offers. He nevertheless continues his tests.
1942 After numerous modifications, the first road tests begin...
It was nicknamed "The Cyclops" because of its single headlight (the installation of two headlights was not mandatory at the time).
As an anecdote, initially the headlight was placed in the center of the hood... But at night, it was quickly realized that other vehicles approaching from the front would brush against the bodywork, thinking it was a motorcycle!!! The headlight was therefore placed on the left of the car...
1948 Following some starting problems, the "string starter" (lawnmower type) was abandoned. It is now replaced
A battery and an electric starter.
In October 1948, the car was presented at the Motor Show to the astonished eyes of the public... When the tarpaulin was removed, people pushed and jostled... Everyone wanted to see it. The secret car was revealed... Except for its engine. The welded hood made it impossible to see.
Opinions were divided... Some thought it was a big joke, while others saw this car as an escapist object...
As the days of the show passed, the other manufacturers began to laugh "wryly"... Citroën had managed to "touch" the public... It was the queen of the show!!!
1949 Production of the small 2CV began in June 1949. Named the 2CV A, it was equipped with a 375 cc engine. Only four vehicles were produced each day to meet the growing demand.
As planned by Pierre Jules Boulanger, the 2CV is intended for jobs requiring frequent travel. A document justifying the vehicle's use must be submitted!
But that's not all... the "happy" 2CV owners are invited to give their feedback after a few months... always with the aim of constantly improving it.
More and more people want a 2CV, and the delivery time is... 7 years.
1934 Mr. Pierre Jules Boulanger (nicknamed PJB) took over the Citroën design office. His close collaborators were engineer André Lefebvre and the man with the "golden fingers," Flaminio Bertoni.
While traveling with peasant women in the middle of a small village, he realized that the automobile was not yet accessible to all social classes...
This gave him an idea: "We must create a car for the people... simple, without too many amenities, capable of carrying a few people and their goods, usable on any type of terrain... but above all, economical."
1937 The first prototype was ready but dangerous to drive. Its code name, the TPV, stands for Très Petite Voiture (very small car, some people also call it Toute Petite Voiture).
Afraid that the idea would be taken up by another manufacturer, PJB bought a fully walled property (La Ferté Vidame - Eure) 100 km west of Paris to conduct its tests.
49 prototype vehicles were built and tested on a specially designed circuit (over 2.5 km with all types of terrain).
1938 Around twenty models (constantly modified) are still being tested. For PJB, it is high time to gather the best ideas and prepare for the launch of the TPV (especially since manufacturers, the press, etc., are beginning to wonder about the hidden occupations behind these stone walls).
1939 On September 2, the first TPV is ready to be shown to the general public. A few days later, war is declared... The motor show will not take place.
The assembly line is requisitioned for military equipment and the TPVs under construction are sent to the scrapyard... PJB does not want his idea to be taken up by the occupying forces.
During the long war period, PJB works in the shadows on his project. The TPV continues its evolution... The Germans want to know more about his project, but he refuses all offers. He nevertheless continues his tests.
1942 After numerous modifications, the first road tests begin...
It was nicknamed "The Cyclops" because of its single headlight (the installation of two headlights was not mandatory at the time).
As an anecdote, initially the headlight was placed in the center of the hood... But at night, it was quickly realized that other vehicles approaching from the front would brush against the bodywork, thinking it was a motorcycle!!! The headlight was therefore placed on the left of the car...
1948 Following some starting problems, the "string starter" (lawnmower type) was abandoned. It is now replaced
A battery and an electric starter.
In October 1948, the car was presented at the Motor Show to the astonished eyes of the public... When the tarpaulin was removed, people pushed and jostled... Everyone wanted to see it. The secret car was revealed... Except for its engine. The welded hood made it impossible to see.
Opinions were divided... Some thought it was a big joke, while others saw this car as an escapist object...
As the days of the show passed, the other manufacturers began to laugh "wryly"... Citroën had managed to "touch" the public... It was the queen of the show!!!
1949 Production of the small 2CV began in June 1949. Named the 2CV A, it was equipped with a 375 cc engine. Only four vehicles were produced each day to meet the growing demand.
As planned by Pierre Jules Boulanger, the 2CV is intended for jobs requiring frequent travel. A document justifying the vehicle's use must be submitted!
But that's not all... the "happy" 2CV owners are invited to give their feedback after a few months... always with the aim of constantly improving it.
More and more people want a 2CV, and the delivery time is... 7 years.