The Citroën 2 CV 6 Red and Grey SALOON from Norev represents one of the most characteristic versions of the legendary "Deuche". This 1/43 scale miniature perfectly captures the essence of this iconic vehicle that marked the history of French automobiles for nearly forty years.
This faithful reproduction is aimed at car enthusiasts and collectors looking to enrich their collection with an emblematic model of French engineering. The two-tone red and grey finish immediately evokes the bohemian and popular spirit that characterized this revolutionary automobile.
Miniature Features
- Model: 2 CV 6 SALOON
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1970-1990
- Scale: 1/43
- Color: Red and grey
- Protective case included: Yes
The History of the Citroën 2 CV
Officially launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1948, the Citroën 2 CV answered an ambitious specification defined by Pierre-Jules Boulanger: to create a car capable of "carrying four people and 50 kg of luggage at 60 km/h while consuming 3 liters every 100 kilometers." This automobile also had to be able to drive across a plowed field without breaking an egg carried in a basket.
The 2 CV 6 version, introduced in 1970, represents the technical culmination of this lineage. Equipped with a 602 cm³ air-cooled two-cylinder engine developing 29 horsepower, it offered respectable performance for the time while maintaining the model's legendary simplicity. This collection of 2 CV miniatures showcases the diversity of versions produced during this fruitful period.
The commercial success of the 2 CV exceeded all initial predictions. With over 5.1 million units produced between 1948 and 1990, it rapidly became a symbol of the democratization of the automobile in France and Europe, competing with the Volkswagen Beetle in this arena.
Citroën in the 1970s-1980s
During the production period of the 2 CV 6, Citroën underwent a major transformation phase. After financial difficulties in the early 1970s, the French manufacturer came under Peugeot's control in 1976, forming the PSA group. This period paradoxically corresponds to the golden age of the 2 CV, which benefits from a resurgence of interest among an urban clientele charmed by its practicality and anti-conformity.
The brand with the chevrons maintained its philosophy of technical innovation with models like the GS and then the CX, while preserving the popular legacy embodied by the 2 CV. This duality between technological avant-garde and embraced simplicity characterizes Citroën's identity of this era, visible in our complete collection of Citroën miniatures.
The company founded by André Citroën in 1919 has always cultivated this ability to surprise, from the first Traction Avant to the bold DS and SM. The 2 CV 6 represents the continuity of this pioneering spirit, adapted to the new societal expectations of the 1970s.
The Anecdote of the Revolutionary Deuche
One of the most amusing anecdotes concerning the 2 CV dates back to its presentation at the Paris Show in 1948. The reception from the specialized press was rather lukewarm, with some journalists labeling this automobile as an "aesthetic repellent" or a "rolling casserole." One particularly harsh car critic wrote: "Has Citroën taken us for peasants?"
However, this very simplicity that was so criticized quickly became a major asset. In the 1960s and 1970s, the 2 CV captured an unexpected audience: students, artists, and the early hipsters. It became the symbol of a certain form of gentle protest, a relaxed way of life that rejected the luxury car race. The universities of May 68 saw hundreds of flowered 2 CVs parading, transformed into true rolling manifestos.
This sociological metamorphosis partly explains the exceptional longevity of the model. While Citroën originally envisioned a classic life cycle of about fifteen years, the 2 CV traversed four decades adapting to shifts in mentality. It accompanied the paid vacations of the 1950s, the liberation of morals of the sixties, and the nascent ecology of the 1980s.
The definitive halt of production in July 1990 at the Mangualde factory in Portugal marked the end of an era. The last 2 CV, a light grey Charleston, is now exhibited at the Citroën Conservatory, a testament to a unique industrial and human adventure in the history of French automobiles. This heritage dimension is naturally reflected in our French car miniatures.
Complete Your Miniature Collection
This Citroën 2 CV 6 Norev finds its rightful place at the heart of a collection dedicated to popular French cars. It pairs perfectly with other icons of the era, such as Renault 4Ls or the early Peugeot 104s, available in our 1970s miniatures. The 1/43 scale allows for harmonious presentation with most standard collectible models.
Collectors passionate about the Citroën universe will appreciate associating it with other variants of the 2 CV range, as well as with Traction Avant that prefigured the revolutionary spirit of the brand. This red and grey miniature also constitutes an excellent starting point for novices wishing to discover the art of car collection.
The quality of Norev reproduction and the blister packaging guarantee an optimal preservation of this collector's item. It will appeal to both automobile history enthusiasts and nostalgics of a time when the automobile still echoed freedom and simplicity, values embodied in our selection of classic cars.
