The "Soapbox Jalopy" that got France moving - the Citroën 2CV Story

French author Guy de Maupassant regularly ate on the first level of the Eiffel Tower even though he hated the sight of the thing. When asked why he said it was not for the quality of the food, but it was the only place in Paris where he couldn’t see the Eiffel Tower! Some were also put off by the look of the Citroën 2CV, but like the Eiffel Tower it’s grown to become a beloved symbol of French engineering success, and about as French as a croissant. It’s no accident this French biscuit tin has a picture of a 2CV on it. In development for 13 years, and in production for over 40, Citroën’s “upturned pram” produced two offspring, but outlasted both of them. Why did it take 13 years to develop, and why did it last more than 40 years in production with almost no changes?

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