Citroën 2CV Type A
Two cylinders, four doors, and a soft suspension designed to make useful travel affordable.
Paris - Bonhams 2013 - Citroën 2CV A - 1950 - 002.jpg · Thesupermat · CC BY-SA 3.0
Research pending
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More than a set of wheels.
Citroën unveiled the 2CV at the Paris Motor Show on October 7, 1948. Series production began in July 1949, so “1948 2CV” describes the public debut rather than a normal production model year. The original Type A used a tiny air-cooled two-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive and long-travel suspension. It was created to be economical, versatile and simple to maintain for families and workers in postwar France.
Look a little closer.
The name 2CV refers to a French tax class, not a claim that the engine made only two horsepower.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
1948 unveiling, 1949 production
The finished postwar car met the public at the 1948 Paris Motor Show. Citroën says production started in July 1949. Keeping those two dates separate prevents a launch date from turning into a made-up production year.
Source: Citroën · 2CV 75th anniversary history ↗Suspension for rough ground
Citroën’s original brief imagined carrying four people and farm goods over poor roads. Long-travel suspension let the wheels move over bumps while the body stayed comparatively calm. That comfort was part of the car’s usefulness, not just a luxury.
Source: Citroën · 1948 Paris Motor Show anniversary ↗What the photograph shows
The gallery car is a 1950 2CV A, photographed at a Bonhams display. It is an early production example of the original 375 cc version, but it is not the Paris show car. Its corrugated hood, canvas roof and separate front wings make the simple construction easy to spot.
Source: Thesupermat · 1950 Citroën 2CV A photograph ↗Where these facts come from
- Citroën · 75 years of the 2CV: dates and original specifications
- Citroën · 1948 Paris debut and engineering ideas
- Citroën Germany · original engine and four-speed gearbox
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed September 29, 2026.