AE33 • Citroën 2CV 6 (AZ) '86 Charleston

The career of the Citroën 2CV ended with what was initially to be a special edition and limited in time. But the success was such that the Charleston integrated the manufacturer's catalog to the rafters. But what did it more than others?

Technical sheet

Model	Citroën 2CV 6 Charleston
Engine	602 cm 3 2 29 horsepower flat cylinders
Dimensions	3.83 x 1.48 x 1.60 meters
Mass	495 kg
Marketing	1980 - 1990
average coast	10 000 €
0 to 100 km / h	NC
max	115 km/h
Consumption	NC
Date and place	February 7, 2016, Laval

A reputation to sit . The 2CV has clearly beaten all records of longevity. In 1980, after 31 years of production, it is always at its best, although sales are declining gradually. Citroën decided to optimize its flagship model by giving it a new twin increased to 602 cm ³ . Inevitably, the performance is up and driveability up sharply. The range is then drawn down with the Special and its characteristic yellow color worn by the first copies and upwards with the Charleston which covers the whole range in harmony and subtlety. In 1980 appears the Charleston as a limited edition of 8000 copies. But its design was not the most classic is the least we can say. Everything begins when Citroën uses Serge Gevin, a painter vascillant between Paris and Sologne to offer a new livery for the 2CV and extend for another few years his career!

Quick well done . To achieve the design of the 2CV Charleston as we know it today, the man asked to base " a red 2CV pulling the burgundy with black wings and white wheels ." To kick adhesives, paintings and a lot of elbow grease, it performs in just one weekend drawing of Charleston, inspired by the model years '20 or '30 in color. Citroën accept the prototype as is and start production shortly after. Thus was born quickly and efficiently the 2CV Charleston. The lateral arabesques give character and sublimate the line while the Red Delage and black give look pretty cozy to our national deuche!

The climax . Aesthetically, the 2CV Charleston stands out before its pretty and well designed its ships with chrome but also his painting honoring the curves of this model. The rims are painted the same color as the body and covered with a chrome trim borrowed from Dyane, then in production. To this, the chrome sublimate the body and give it an undeniable touch of elegance. Originally planned as an accessible model, cheap and not necessarily focused on aesthetics, the 2CV now proudly displays its line that it does not deny and remains true to itself: simple and effective. We expected no less with this version Charleston wants the culmination of the 2CV, a kind of symbiosis or climax that also marks the end of the model, which only partially meets the standards of safety and comfort force.

Other Charleston . It is in 1980 that the Charleston arrived in France, as we see here illustrated. It receives initially delivered exclusively this unique combination Rouge Delage and black. This limited edition of 8000 copies can be recognized by its sticker on the right side of the trunk. It is white in color and shows in smashes "2CV 6 Charleston." The 8000 copies sold, in 1981, the Charleston catalog appears as a full version. She receives a so-called upholstery foot-cock, which resembles a thick mesh of black and white fabric. Young people are attracted by the Charleston, in homage to the dance of the same name which was a great success in the years '20 to '30. In 1982, Serge Gevin is again commissioned by Citroen to offer an alternative to the Charleston, the rare yellow and black, the success mitigié at the time, but much sought after today. This will be followed the next year adding a true symbol instead of the sticker on the back, the disappearance of the yellow and black Charleston and the appearance of a gray and black model, but rather more conventional pleasing to the eye.

False modest . The career of Charleston will continue until 1990 without major changes majors. From the '84 vintage, the black portion will extend to the windshield. Whatever the vintage, from 1980 to 1990, the operator remains similar, it is the core engine of the 2CV 6, where the capacity has increased in 1979 to 602 cm ³ . This block had a mixed reception from the public. On one hand, the increase in capacity led to conversion to 3 fiscal horsepower, questioning the very concept of the 2CV! But on the other, the performance gain is substantial and although the 29 horses displayed by our 2CV Charleston seem very modest (if not ridiculous!) , Must compensate with a weight of less than 500 kg! Acceleration and pickup are quite correct, all with the characteristic sound of the twin-cylinder that invades the cabin and increases with speed.

Simple and effective . The 2CV, or deuche for short, is an art form. His behavior very understeer makes toned and sporty driving. No need here 200 horses to take pleasure in driving. It also has the advantage of being easy-going and maintain, the Citroen engineers from the '30s, were far from the optical d a planned obsolescence. Rather, it was necessary that the 2CV to last in time. On this basis, all maintenance can be performed easily and remains accessible. Did you know also that the 2CV has no head gasket? As for the cost of this interview, it is deliberately very low. The only big expense with a 2CV, it is the time of purchase! For some versions - and in the case of Charleston - are very popular.

Additional cost not so high . If Charleston has so long held the Citroën catalog, the reason is simple and concerns the financial aspect. In 1988 for example, a 2CV Special (entry level) cost 35 900 FF while the 2CV Club asked 41,000 FF and Charleston, only 41 700 FF. Sometimes negotiated a negligible extra cost which provided access to an exclusive livery, large counter, a monoline flying and a rather flattering image that has put on the front of the stage the immortal deuche . Since then, things have exchange. The Charleston are now sought after collector cars which continued to rise steadily rating. Note that the best maintained copies depart quickly, even despite a price set at the high end.

Dear . On the used market, € 10,000 does not seem too much to acquire a 2CV Charleston. Few owners would imagine when buying this car would be a real investment since they could sell it more expensive than its original price! If the production had actually held the 8000 copies promised by the brand, the rating would have been much higher. As for Serge Gevin, author of the Charleston, he harnessed for other versions of other models , such as the 2CV and the 2CV Cocorico Start in 1987. Two versions of the well-marked style that also attracted many enthusiasts.

Points to see . Since 1984, it is a symbol and not a bumper sticker that the trunk. Being a separate chassis car, it is essential to ensure its good condition to detect a possible previous shock or simply to limit future costs. Because often, the 2CV need to be cobbled together, adjusted to give the best of themselves. Attention also to the state of the body and mainly the perforating rust that is quickly climbing the body position for a renovation ... and to pass the technical inspection. For the rest, the 2CV Charleston, like all its more traditional counterparts, it's fun first. The pleasure of riding in a car with a soul, a character typical of a bygone era.

Should I buy a Citroën 2CV 6 Charleston?

For any lover of 2CV Charleston embodies a model of its own. It offers a bold and very successful design in addition to a robust and reliable engine. Expensive to buy but cheap in maintenance and fuel, it is appreciated for its simplicity and tonic conduct. Sold around € 10,000, the Charleston should not delist, quite the contrary ...