Citroën TPV Prototype, 1937 Très Petite Voiture (Very Small Car).

19 Jul 2016

The prototype 2CV was conceived to mobilise French farmers in 1930s, the brief was for a low-priced, rugged “umbrella on four wheels” that would enable farmers in clogs to transport 50 kg (110 lb) of farm goods to market at 50 km/h (31 mph), if necessary across muddy, unpaved roads.

The car would use no more than 3 litres of fuel to travel 100 km (78 mpg). Approximately 20 prototypes were built before the outbreak of World War Two but the cars were hidden after the French capitulation to avoid them falling into the hands of the German occupying forces. Development resumed after the end of the war the the production 2CV was unveiled at the Paris Salon on October 7, 1948

Comments

Citroën basically asked themselves: “Ok, what we need to have in order create a car… hmm, wheels, frame, doors, engine and seats… yeah all of those!” And then they just put it together and were like “That’s a car, and that’s enough”. I love the fact that it’s so minimalistic, there is nothing unnecessary on the car, it just moves.