Citroën 2 CV AKS 400 grey model car, Auto Plus edition
This Citroën 2 CV AKS 400 model car captures one of the most endearing silhouettes of the chevron brand. In its understated grey finish, it recalls the service van that travelled the French countryside, and it stands out thanks to the Auto Plus logo on the doors, making it a piece in its own right in the world of magazine-licensed miniatures.
For collectors, this model holds a special place: it combines the world of the 2 CV, the cult vehicle par excellence, with a utility version that is less often represented. It appeals as much to fans of popular vehicles as to motoring magazine enthusiasts, who find here a livery linked to the history of a reference magazine.
Model features
- Model: Citroën 2 CV AKS 400
- Brand: Citroën (Auto Plus edition)
- Year: not specified, model inspired by the 1960s range
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Colour: grey, with Auto Plus markings on the doors
- Protective box included: Yes
The real vehicle: the 2 CV AK and its AKS version
The 2 CV officially debuted in 1948, after a long gestation that began in the 1930s. The famous specification called for a simple, economical vehicle capable of carrying two people and a few dozen kilos of goods on poor roads. Pierre-Jules Boulanger and his engineering teams answered this demand with a corrugated lightweight steel body, long-travel suspension and an air-cooled twin-cylinder engine.
The utility range, which includes the AK, uses the same mechanical base while turning the cabin into a workspace. Van versions are distinguished by a more functional body, suited to craftsmen, shopkeepers and administrations. The AKS, recognisable by its rear side windows, illustrates this versatility well: it keeps the simplicity of the 2 CV while offering better visibility and more comfortable use.
Commercially, the 2 CV was a considerable success, with more than five million units produced until 1990. Its utility versions contributed greatly to this success by extending the brand's presence in businesses and rural areas. Today, these van versions are less common on the roads than saloons, which enhances their appeal to collectors.
Citroën, a brand that shaped French motoring
When the 2 CV took shape, Citroën already had a rich industrial past. Founded in 1919 by André Citroën, the brand made its name through mass production and landmark technical innovations, such as the front-wheel drive that equipped the famous Traction Avant from 1934. The post-war period, however, brought new challenges: rebuilding an industrial base, meeting demand for popular mobility and offering vehicles accessible to the greatest number.
It was in this context that the 2 CV became the emblem of an era. It accompanied the reconstruction, family holidays and the growth of small craftsmen. Over the decades, Citroën went on to produce other bold models, such as the DS in 1955, which left a lasting mark on automotive design and engineering. The brand thus kept its dual identity, balancing cutting-edge innovation with practical common sense.
Anecdote: the legend of the eggs under the hat
One of the most often told stories about the 2 CV concerns a test that remains in the collective memory. According to legend, the specification required a driver to cross a ploughed field with a basket of eggs on the passenger seat without breaking a single one. The soft suspension and smooth driving of the 2 CV would have made this feat possible, although the exact details of the trial are still debated by historians.
This image perfectly sums up the spirit of the car. It does not seek outright performance, but the ability to fulfil a concrete mission in sometimes difficult conditions. For a French society in full transformation, this philosophy met a real need: accessible mobility, without unnecessary sophistication.
The 2 CV also became a cultural object. It was adopted by generations of artists, activists and families, to the point of embodying a certain French art de vivre. Its utility versions, more discreet, contribute to this collective memory by recalling the everyday life of trades and villages.
Finally, this legend fed the imagination surrounding the brand. Each new miniature edition, whether dedicated to a production model or a special version, extends this story and invites rediscovery of the ingenious simplicity that made the 2 CV's reputation.
Complete your Citroën miniature collection
In the world of 1/43rd scale miniatures, this model naturally finds its place alongside the great representations of the chevron brand. The collection dedicated to the Citroën 2 CV brings together the different versions of the model, while the Citroën range offers a broader overview of the brand's history. For scale enthusiasts, the 1/43rd selection lets you compare the proportions and finishes of one model against another.
This piece also complements collections devoted to utility vehicles and post-war years. Fans of vans will find an interesting parallel with other service vehicles, while enthusiasts of 1950-1979 classics will rediscover an era rich in popular models. The Auto Plus marking, finally, joins the Auto Plus selection, ideal for collectors attached to editions linked to the motoring press.
This model is aimed primarily at collectors of French vehicles, 2 CV enthusiasts and fans of period utility vehicles. It will also interest those looking for a piece with a understated style, in a discreet grey tone, to enrich a display case devoted to French cars or to the decade of the 1960s.
