A French automotive icon in model car
The burgundy 1979 Citroën 2CV is one of the most iconic models in the French automotive industry. This faithful 1:43 scale reproduction perfectly captures the essence of this popular car that has influenced generations of motorists.
This model car is a must-have collector's item for all fans of French automobiles and industrial history. It demonstrates the technical ingenuity and revolutionary design that made this legendary model so successful.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: 2CV
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1979
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Burgundy
- Protective case included: Yes
The original model: a democratic revolution
The Citroën 2CV was born in 1948 from a revolutionary specification: to create a car capable of transporting four people and 50 kg of potatoes across fields, while consuming only 3 liters per 100 kilometers. This bold project, initiated before the Second World War, aimed to motorize rural France.
By 1979, the year of this burgundy version, the 2CV had already won the hearts of the French for over thirty years. Its unique technical features—interconnected torsion bar suspension, lightweight bodywork, and air-cooled twin-cylinder engine—made it a vehicle apart in the automotive landscape.
The commercial success was phenomenal: more than 3.8 million units were produced between 1948 and 1990, making the 2CV one of the best-selling cars in French history.
Citroën in 1979: between tradition and modernity
In 1979, Citroën was going through a pivotal period in its history. Acquired by PSA Peugeot-Citroën in 1976, the brand nevertheless retained its bold technical identity. The 2CV coexisted with more modern models such as the GS and the CX , illustrating the diversity of the Citroën range.
This year also marked the beginning of the boom years for the chevron brand, which would soon launch revolutionary models. The 2CV, although old in design, remained an important commercial pillar and a powerful symbol of French ingenuity. Its production continued at the Levallois-Perret and Aulnay-sous-Bois factories, testifying to its enduring popularity.
The anecdote: the 2CV and May 68
The burgundy 1979 Citroën 2CV carries within it the legacy of a tumultuous decade. For while this burgundy color evokes understated elegance, the 2CV was above all the symbol of a generation in search of freedom . During the events of May 1968, eleven years earlier, these small cars crisscrossed Paris, transporting students and workers to the barricades and general assemblies.
The 2CV perfectly embodied the spirit of the times: simplicity, accessibility, and a challenge to the established order . Unlike large bourgeois sedans, it represented a form of resistance to emerging consumerism. Its owners cultivated a certain pride in driving "differently," far from the codes of traditional automotive prestige.
This sociological dimension explains why the 2CV has spanned generations. In 1979, it still attracted young couples, artists, teachers - all those who favored authenticity over ostentation . The burgundy color, more sophisticated than the traditional gray or bright yellow, appealed to an urban clientele who fully embraced their choice to "drive a 2CV."
Today, this burgundy 1979 Citroën 2CV recalls a changing France, between rural traditions and modern aspirations, where the automobile had not yet become a simple consumer object but retained its emotional and identity-forming dimension.
Complete your collection of French model cars
This burgundy 1979 Citroën 2CV naturally finds its place in a collection dedicated to French model cars . It harmonizes perfectly with other iconic models such as classic Peugeots or historic Renaults .
Collectors will appreciate combining it with other versions of the 2CV to reconstruct the evolution of this legendary model. It also interacts remarkably well with the automobiles of the 1970s , a pivotal period in French industry.
This model car is aimed at both seasoned collectors and automotive history enthusiasts wishing to enrich their collection with a model representative of the French art of living. It also constitutes an excellent entry point to discover the world of model cars in 1/43rd scale , a format favored by connoisseurs for its precision and maneuverability.
