Discover this magnificent Citroën 2CV yellow of 1952 produced by Maisto at a 1/18th scale, a faithful reproduction of the iconic "Deuche" that revolutionized French popular automotive. This miniature perfectly captures the innovative spirit and simple elegance of this mythical model that marked the beginning of car democratization in France.
A true collector's item for fans of French automobiles, this Maisto reproduction attests to the excellence of Citroën design and the technical ingenuity that led to the global success of the 2CV for over forty years of production.
Miniature Features
- Model: Citroën 2CV
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1952
- Scale: 1/18th
- Color: Yellow
- Manufacturer: Maisto
- Protective case included: Yes
The Citroën 2CV of 1952: a car revolution
Officially launched in October 1948 at the Paris Motor Show, the Citroën 2CV reached its technical maturity by 1952. This year marks an important turning point with the improvement of the air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, which gains reliability and performance. The all-steel body definitively replaces the corrugated panels of the early models, giving the car its final look.
The "Very Small Car" according to its internal code name perfectly meets the specifications set by Pierre Boulanger: transport four people and 50 kg of luggage at 60 km/h with a consumption of 3 liters per 100 kilometers. Its revolutionary suspension with interconnected torsion bars and hammock seats turns every journey into a unique experience of road comfort.
The commercial success was not long in coming: by 1952, waiting lists grew considerably, and the 2CV quickly became the symbol of the motorization of the French middle classes. Its legendary robustness and ease of maintenance make it the ideal companion for the rapidly modernizing French countryside.
Citroën in 1952: innovation for all
In 1952, Citroën was undergoing a period of intense creative renewal under the leadership of André Citroën then Pierre Boulanger. The company with the chevrons continued its policy of democratic technological innovation, initiated with the groundbreaking Traction Avant of 1934. The 2CV fits within this avant-garde philosophy of accessibility, offering unprecedented technical solutions at affordable prices.
The French company distinguished itself by its ability to anticipate societal needs. Founded in 1919 by André Citroën, the brand has always prioritized technical and commercial audacity. From the chevron gears that gave it its emblem to the innovations of the 2CV, Citroën embodies the French spirit of industrial ingenuity.
This period also corresponds to the post-war reconstruction, where Citroën played a major role in the democratization of the automobile in Europe. The brand's strategy is to offer technically advanced but economically accessible vehicles, a positioning that would bring it fortune during the Trente Glorieuses.
The anecdote of the 2CV: born in secrecy, revealed to the world
The story of the 2CV contains an extraordinary anecdote linked to World War II. Developed secretly as early as 1936, it nearly never saw the light of day due to the Occupation. Pierre Boulanger and his team jealously hid the prototypes, fearing that the Germans would appropriate this revolutionary innovation or prohibit it to favor their own industry.
Several prototypes were hidden in barns or bricked up in cellars throughout the war. Some engineers even went so far as to destroy the plans and documentation, preferring to rebuild everything after Liberation rather than risk confiscation. This forced clandestinity paradoxically allowed the project to be refined over six additional years.
When it was finally unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1948, the public's reaction fluctuated between enthusiasm and astonishment. Some journalists labeled it
