Citroen Deux Chevaux
A short appreciation of the iconic Citroen Deux Chevaux on the occasion of its 60th anniversary.
It’s 60 years since the rustic, quirky “deudeuche” was offered to an initially unimpressed public and it’s 18 years since the last of five million left the assembly line. You don’t see many around any more but the intrepid little 2CV is the object of fond memory for anyone who lived those decades. If you’re one of them and around Paris, it’s worth a visit to the show that the Cité des Sciences has just opened in homage to the little car.
The Cité des Sciences says dryly that its show is a “salute to a very little car that was technically innovative and which was able to anticipate the needs of generations of users.” Le Monde was more lyrical, hailing the “vibrant homage” and talking of the “joyous oscillation of suspension from the good old days.” The 2CV triggered memories of youth like Proust’s Madeleine, it said.. “It is difficult to feel anything but affection, given the service it rendered and the memories it gathered.” Nostalgia buffs – click through.
Ceci n’est pas une voiture, c’est un art de vivre !