Citroën 2 CV cabriolet 4 seasons and 2 CV 2 MB raid - Collector's box
This exceptional set of two Citroën 2 CV model cars perfectly represents the iconic spirit of the French 2CV. Featuring the 4-season convertible version in its civilian configuration on one side, and the specially prepared 2 CV 2 MB raid car on the other, this collection perfectly captures the legendary versatility of this iconic model.
These 1:43 scale collectible model cars are aimed at French car enthusiasts and collectors keen to preserve the heritage of one of France's most popular cars. The blister-packed box ensures optimal preservation of these faithful reproductions.
Technical characteristics of the model cars
- Model: Citroën 2 CV cabriolet 4 seasons and 2 CV 2 MB raid
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: Production 1948-1990
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Presentation: Set of 2 cars
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Packaging: Cardboard in cut-out blister pack
- Protective case included: Yes
The history of the Citroën 2 CV
Officially launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1948 , the Citroën 2 CV revolutionized the concept of the popular French automobile. Designed in the 1930s under the direction of Pierre-Jules Boulanger, this car met the audacious specifications of transporting "two farmers in clogs, 50 kg of potatoes or a barrel, at 60 km/h and for 3 liters per hundred kilometers."
The 4-season convertible version, with its folding canvas top , perfectly embodies the spirit of freedom of the 1960s and 70s. As for the 2 MB raid variant, it demonstrates the unsuspected capabilities of this seemingly fragile automobile in the most extreme conditions. These two versions illustrate the remarkable adaptability of a model that would last more than four decades in production.
With its 42-year career and more than 5 million units produced , the 2 CV stands out as one of the most enduring commercial successes of the French automobile industry, leaving a deep mark on the national collective imagination.
Citroën: pioneer of automotive innovation
Founded in 1919 by André Citroën, the chevron brand quickly distinguished itself with its revolutionary approach to automobile production . From the 1920s onwards, Citroën introduced European mass production methods and developed an avant-garde marketing strategy, notably with its spectacular advertising campaigns such as the illumination of the Eiffel Tower.
In the post-war context, Citroën focused on technical innovation and stylistic originality. The 2 CV was part of this avant-garde philosophy, offering simple but effective technical solutions: interconnected torsion bar suspension, air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, welded all-steel bodywork . This pragmatic approach allowed the brand to democratize the automobile in France, paving the way for mass motorization in the 1950s and 1960s.
The 2 CV and the epic of African raids
One of the most extraordinary pages in the history of the 2CV was written on the dusty tracks of the African continent . As early as the 1950s, daring adventurers discovered the unsuspected capabilities of the little Citroën in the most hostile conditions. The car's lightness, mechanical simplicity, and generous ground clearance made it an ideal vehicle for long-distance expeditions.
The most famous raid remains that of Jacques Seguela and his team in 1973 , who linked Paris to Cape Town in a 2CV, covering more than 20,000 kilometers across the Sahara and southern Africa. This highly publicized expedition revealed to the general public the exceptional road qualities of the Deuche, capable of climbing dunes, crossing rivers and withstanding the extreme temperatures of the desert.
These exploits helped to forge the popular legend of the 2 CV , a symbol of resourcefulness and the French spirit of adventure. The 2 MB raid version, with its specific equipment and technical modifications, perpetuates this exceptional tradition, reminding us that this apparently modest automobile hid an adventurous temperament.
Even today, enthusiasts organize 2CV raids around the world, maintaining the pioneering spirit of these first motorized explorers who discovered the most remote continents at the wheel of their faithful French companion.
Complete your collection of French model cars
This 2CV set naturally finds its place in a collection dedicated to French automotive heritage . It harmonizes perfectly with other emblematic models such as Citroën model cars , notably reproductions of DS, Traction Avant or Type H which complete the universe of the chevron brand.
Collectors passionate about French automobiles will also appreciate the association with iconic Renault models like the 4L, the 4CV, and the Estafette, which share with the 2CV this philosophy of popular and accessible automobiles. Together, these vehicles tell the story of the democratization of the automobile in France.
To further enrich this theme, French model cars offer a comprehensive overview of French creations, from historic Peugeot models to Simca creations that have left their mark on the roads of France. Fans of specialized vehicles can also explore light commercial vehicles and model car vans that complement the world of everyday vehicles.
