Citroën Sahara 4x4
• Rare 2CV 4x4 variant • 1 of only 5 assembled in Brussels, Belgium. This very rare edition of the 2CV has only driven 16.000 km and is still completely original. It is lightly patinated and still sits on Michelin X tires. This twin-engine variant has four seats and still has the original removable roof. Alongside the Volkswagen Beetle, Mini, and Land Rover as one of the classic mass-produced cars of the post-war era, Citroën's quirky 2CV debuted in 1949. Intended to provide basic transport during a period of post-war austerity, the 2CV survived its humble beginnings and achieved cult status as the favorite car of the environmentally conscious motorist. Although the original 375cc air-cooled flat-twin engine eventually grew to 602cc, the performance of the 2CV remained relatively modest at around 110 km/h, not that this applied to the majority of its supporters for whom the spacious interior, the full-length sunroof, and the economical fuel consumption were of much greater importance.
• Rare 2CV 4×4 variant
• 1 of only 5 assembled in Brussels, Belgium
This very rare edition of the 2CV has only run 16.000 km and is still completely original. It is slightly patinated and still has Michelin X tires. This two-engine variant has four seats and still has the original removable roof.
Alongside the Volkswagen Beetle, Mini, and Land Rover as one of the classic mass-produced cars of the post-war era, Citroën's quirky 2CV debuted in 1949. Intended to provide basic transport during a period of post-war austerity, the 2CV survived its humble beginnings and achieved cult status as the favorite car of the environmentally conscious motorist. Although the original 375cc air-cooled flat-twin engine eventually grew to 602cc, the 2CV's performance remained relatively modest at around 110 km/h, not that this concerned the majority of its supporters, for whom the spacious interior, the full-length sunroof, and the economical fuel consumption were of much greater importance. It was a sad day for many when the last French-built 2CV left the factory in Levallois in 1988, although production in Portugal continued for another two years.
One of the most unusual of the many 2CV variants, and certainly one of the most collectible today, is the four-wheel-drive 'Sahara' which, unusually, used a second engine to power the rear wheels. This ingenious way of providing four-wheel drive had already been attempted by some Citroën dealers, and by the end of the 1950s, the factory had decided to produce its official version, which was primarily intended for use in the rugged desert regions of France's North African colonies. The first prototypes were shown to the automotive press in 1958, with actual production starting in December 1960. In addition to the extra engine, the Sahara featured a special chassis, reinforced suspension, wider rims, dual fuel tanks (under the front seats), and countless other modifications to enable the car to handle difficult terrain and climates. In 1962, following Algeria's independence, Citroën dropped the name 'Sahara' and the car became the '2CV 4×4'. It is estimated that about 700 of both denominations were originally built, but only a few survive to this day.
The Citroën 2CV 'Sahara' offered here is one of the few (five are presumed) built in Belgium and is believed to have been delivered new in that country. The car's early history is unknown; however, it was in Spain between 2008 and 2011 before moving to the UK, where it was registered in 2013.
These twin-engine 2CVs rarely come onto the market. Ready for its next adventure, this example is offered with an owner's manual and parts catalogue (in German), a workshop manual and booklet (in Spanish), old Spanish registration papers, and a British V5C registration certificate.