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Padova Finarte / Collector Cars

Friday 25 October 2019, 02:30 PM • Padua

15

1956 Citroën Citroën 2CV AZ (Citroën)

chassis no.8435329 - engine no. 01602469

Estimate

€ 13.000 - 18.000

Sold

€ 14.559

The price includes buyer's premium

Information

  • An overwhelming success, lasting over 40 years.
  • Mille Miglia Eligible.
  • Original Padova plates.
  • ASI certified.
  • Perfectly maintained.

Certifications and statements
ASI
Documents
Original italian registration with black Padova plates.
Elegibility
  • Mille Miglia. Eligible.
  • Giro di Sicilia. Eligible.
  • Targa Florio. Eligible.
  • Goodwood Revival. Eligible.
  • Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. Eligible
  • Tour Auto. Eligible.
  • Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti. Eligible.
  • Coppa delle Alpi by 1000 Miglia. Eligible
  • Winter Marathon. Eligible.
  • California Mille: Eligible.
  • Nürburgring Classic. Eligible.

Provenance

The model
The 2CV, was strongly desired by the Citroën executive, Pierre-Jules Boulanger who, following a trip to the Auvergne in the mid-30s, noticed the absence of cars in the countryside and therefore decided to design a car for the peasants, giving very specific directions for designers; the car he wanted to put on the market, in fact, had to be cheap, able to carry 4 people, have a good load space, low fuel consumption and be able to cross the fields without suffering too many stresses. At the beginning of 1939 the first prototypes were ready with the name of T.P.V. but, due to the war, the design was abandoned and all the models destroyed. Only in the post-war period Boulanger decided to take up the project again, entrusting it to the Italian sculptor and designer Flaminio Bertoni, in order to make the exterior of the car more pleasant. The final 2CV model was presented by the French company in 1948, at the Paris Motor Show. The first impact with the public was not very good, due to its unusual rounded and wavy shape; journalists had harsh words towards the new model, but it took only a few months and the car became a best-seller, becoming one of the most sold cars in the world. Its production lasted even until 1990. To have an idea of ​​the huge success, just think that, after a few months from its presentation, waiting lists of three years were created and that, in 1950, production had passed from 4 units at 400 per day. Between restyling and the other, with mechanical interventions, the Citroën 2CV will be able to sell over 5 million units worldwide between 1948 and 1990. The 2CV also had an important sporting activity. It began in 1955 with the participation in the Mille Miglia, continuing in 1958 with the 24 Hours of Hockenheim, where the French company deployed two specimens in the category of micro-cars, not to mention the Paris-Kabul-Paris raid, organized directly by Citroën in the 70s , which achieved incredible success. The Citroën 2CV soon became a lifestyle, thanks to its retro but at the same time likeable look, it attracted entire generations of enthusiasts, becoming one of the symbolic vehicles of the "hippy" movement.
The car
The Citroën 2CV AZ, chassis no. 8435328 is from 1956, the year in which the 2CV reached the milestone of the 500,000 units produced. It is in the classic (and only one available) original gray color and is an example of one of the first restyling of the French economy car. In fact, between 1955 and 1956 the parent company presented some updates, including: the arrival of the rear blinkers, new secondary control features and engine improvements, thanks to the increase in the compression ratio. The Citroën 2CV, chassis no. 8435328 is an AZ version, the first official variant from the debut model, called A. The most important innovation is in the bigger 425 cc engine which, thanks to a total weight of only 498 kg, allows it to reach 70 km/h. Among the other features of AZ it is worth mentioning the centrifugal clutch. The AZ did not replace the A, but was simply added. The AZ was produced from 1954 to 1960, in that year the complete range of 2CV models was revolutionized. The 2CV is the first small front-wheel drive saloon, with an air-cooled 2-cylinder engine, a four-speed gearbox (standard for the first time in Citroën) and four independent wheels with simple, light and innovative technical solutions. The Citroën 2CV AZ, chassis no. 8435328, was subjected in 2008 to a restoration of bodywork and upholstery, in compliance with the original configuration. The car is fitted with a sheet metal tailgate from the 1957 model. The car, ASI certified, by age and type, can be entered in the most important regularity races for historic cars, where it will be an unusual presence, competitive in its category and, as always, comfortable for the driver.
State of the art
Restoration of bodywork and interiors, in compliance with the original configuration

Exhibition



Literature

  • John Reynolds, Citroën 2CV, Sutton Publishing, UK 2001.
  • Giancarlo Catarsi, Le vetture che hanno fatto la storia: Citroën 2CV, Giorgio Nada, Milano 2008.
  • Matt White, Citroën 2CV, The Complete Story, The Crowood Press Ltd., UK 2005.