Vehicle Description
1986 Citroen 2CV-6 Club
"There's an undeniable charm to the Citroen 2CV. Maybe it's the
shape, beetle-like without being Beetle-like. Maybe it's that soft
roof, which rolls from stem to stern along an impossibly thin
framework to meld the car's occupants with the universe above them.
Maybe it's the seating, which certainly looks like it isn't safe
for public roads. Maybe it's the absurd lack of power or the outre
way the shifter goes straight through the dash. Maybe it's the fact
that, for the most part, none of the above changed, at all, in the
car's crazy long 42 year production run. Certainly, it's all of
those things and more." From Hagerty's feature article, May
2025
For consignment, a 1986 Citroen 2CV-6 Club showing 17,081 miles,
but the true miles are unknown. 2CV's are truly unique vehicles and
this one strays from the typical burgundy over black configuration
first seen in the 1980 Charleston model, one of the more common
2CV's with 8,000 of them built. Between 1948 and 1990, 3.8 million
2CV's were produced.
Exterior
This garage kept example was never used in bad weather, and the
Rouge Bolero paint is a testament to that fine care, though we'll
note some imperfections further down. For now, take note of the
unique shape, lovingly referred to as the tin snail, and you can
see the resemblance. Unlike the classic Beetle, this car's side
windows follow the rounded edges of the doors, front and rear, and
the fixed quarter window maintains the contour fitting both the
door seam line and the C-pillar. While in profile, note the air
flow indentation under the hood, and the flared rear fenders which
partially cover the rear wheel and are dressed with polished gravel
guards, surely a vestigial feature from the earliest models. The
red vinyl top folds back for open air driving and is in good
condition. Paint imperfections include some bubbling, rust under
chipped paint, and scratches along with a few dings.
Interior
Famously minimalistic, the interior is adorned with simply gray
vinyl door cards and utilitarian door latches along with wire
latches for the front windows. The seats wear a pleasantly plaid
cloth pattern which includes some red for a nice tie into the
exterior, buckets in front and a bench for two in the back. Our
consignor states the seat track for the driver has been extended
for taller drivers. Up front, the wild single spoke steering wheel
fronts a simple instrument panel consisting of the arched
speedometer, fuel, alts, and a shifting diagram which you'll need
when moving the horizontally mounted shifter to your right. The
gray plastic dash shows some patina but overall, the interior is
clean. With the transmission out front, the floor is left flat and
is protected by fitted black carpet. The trunk is a modest and
simple affair, housing a spare on a base of painted metal with some
room left for storage.
Drivetrain
What's under the hood you may ask? Well, it's a 36.7ci boxer 2
cylinder rated at 29 horsepower and attached to a 4-speed manual.
The car is front wheel drive, and the first front wheel drive to
sell over a million units. Gearing is set at 4.125 and brakes are
configured as front disc and rear drum.
Undercarriage
The narrow base is mostly flat, with the single exhaust traveling
down the left side and through a stock style muffler. The
suspension is another wild feature. The system comprises two
suspension cylinders mounted horizontally on each side of the
platform chassis. Inside the cylinders are two springs, one for
each wheel, mounted at each end of the cylinder. The springs are
connected to the front leading swinging arm and rear trailing
swinging arm that act like bellcranks by pull rods, (tie rods).
These are connected to spring seating cups in the middle of the
cylinder, each spring being compressed independently, against the
ends of the cylinder. If each cylinder was rigidly mounted to the
chassis, it would provide fully independent suspension, but it is
not rigidly mounted. It is mounted using an additional set of
springs, originally made from steel, called "volute" springs, (that
are visible on the ends of each cylinder in the external linked
drawing above), but on later models made from rubber. These springs
allow the front and rear suspension to interconnect.
Drive-Ability
This is not our first rodeo, so we know what to expect! An unique
experience from a unique car, impeccable French, and a car designed
as accessible transportation for the masses. It trots along just
fine and the odd shifting position becomes familiar in no time,
spinning this 2CV around our test loop in good form on 80 series
tires. Other than the headlights and tail lights not illuminating,
all other functions on hand operate as they should. While Classic
Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time
of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be
working at the time of your purchase.
People have a soft spot for Citroens in their croissant loving
hearts and we can see why. There's absolutely nothing like it on
the road and they garner attention and smiles at car shows for
their brilliant independence. Here's a well sorted example that
will get you into that exclusive world of French car enthusiasts;
yes, there are clubs and activities all over the country. Join the
club with this Citroen Club!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
