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The Citroën 2CV is a model from France that many people have fond memories of. Sold nearly 4 million times, the 2CV is still extremely popular on the second-hand market, where prices for the iconic Citroën can go up quite a bit. If you own a Citroën 2CV and need a windscreen replacement, you can come to us for quality, affordable windscreens including on-site windscreen replacement. Before we elaborate on that, we will first highlight one of Citroën's most popular models.
The 2CV has become a legend, despite the fact that the model was actually intended solely as an economical, easy-to-maintain and cheaper car designed in France during the Interwar period, during one of the biggest financial crises of the 20th century. The model became a great success and Citroën would keep this model in production until 1990 (much longer than initially intended), with a sales counter that nearly hit 4 million at the end of this model's long production line and more than 5 million when modified versions are included.
You may think that the year above is incorrect, and somewhere you are right: after all, the Citroën 2CV did not appear on the market until 1949. However, the plans for the model date back to 1934, when Michelin took over the ailing Citroën and immediately started looking for opportunities to market a cheap car, as it was in high demand. It soon turned out that everything was going to be against them for the French company. World War II broke out, aluminium prices skyrocketed (after which the model had to go back to the drawing board) and the Plan Pons, France's post-World War II reconstruction plans, also held the company back. Indeed, financial support from the US (Marshall Plan) went to Renault (a state-owned company), which used it to develop the Renault 4CV.
This meant that the Citroën 2CV could only be shown to the public in 1948 and actually arrived at dealerships a year later. The model got a 375cc engine with 9 hp, radial tyres (the first car worldwide) and it faced huge criticism. One American auto journalist wondered if a can opener came with the models.
Consumers, however, reacted completely differently and it took a storm at dealers, who soon couldn't take delivery of the cheap, economical models, resulting in a waiting list of 3 (!) years. When the 2CV became a worldwide success, the waiting time even reached 5 years. This resulted in a ridiculous factoid: a second-hand 2CV was more expensive than a new 2CV in the model's pioneering years....
From 1960, many more versions of the Citroën 2CV entered the market, including the Dyane model, the H-Van and even the 4x4 Sahara. However, the emphasis remained the same: affordable, economical cars for people who needed the car daily for work and who did not want or could not pay big bucks for more luxurious cars.
1960 was also the year when the 325cc disappeared. Standard versions got a 425cc (later 435) and a 602cc would become available at an extra cost.
In 1970 the proliferation came to an end and Citroën marketed two models, the AZKB (435 cc) and the AZKA (602 cc). In 1971, the front bench seat was replaced by two separate front seats (a decision that has been endlessly criticised) and in 1974, sales figures shot through the roof. The oil crisis meant that economical cars suddenly became immensely popular, and that was exactly what the Citroën 2CV was. Citroën also played on this very consciously, for example by reducing the power output in 1975 (from 28 to 25 hp) to keep the model cheaper in taxes.
From 1980 onwards, the 2CV would sell less and less. Partly because the direct effects of the oil crisis were no longer so noticeable, and partly because more and more cheaper, fuel-efficient car models entered the market (especially from Asia). Interest increased a little more when James Bond used the 2CV (with the fiat-4 engine from the Citroën GS) in ‘For Your Eyes Only’, but the end was clearly in sight. Citroën also released the Citroën Visa at this time, which would later be replaced by the Citroën AX, and in 1988 production of the 2CV ceased in France. In 1989, the worldwide curtain would fall on the model, partly because of emission requirements voluntarily adopted by several countries (including Spain, Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands), which would make the 2CV unsaleable. The last model rolled out of the factory in Mangualde (Portugal) at the stroke of 4 o'clock on 27 July in 1990.
The success of the deux chevaux (two horses) or, somewhat mockingly, the ‘box-full’ (in Dutch), did not come out of the blue. Citroën put a cheap and economical model on the market at a time when consumers desperately needed it. That the huge success between 1974 and 1979 was thrown into the French automaker's lap is a pleasant bonus. In the Netherlands, by the way, the immense success doesn't seem to be a good thing with only 17,000 sold (a laugh next to the 125,000 of the Citroën BX, the 100,000 of the Citroën C1 and the 90,000 of the Citroën C3). The problem, however, is that Autoweek, the website on which we view sales figures, tracks sales numbers from 1983 onwards. However, since the 2CV was not a success in the Netherlands in the period before 1980 either, this model has lagged far behind in terms of popularity in our country.
Worldwide, the situation is completely different. In fact, more than 5 million copies of the 2CV and all related versions have been sold, which is very respectable.
There are many videos of the Citroën 2CV, such as one of the older commercials for the Dutch market:
But you might prefer to watch one of the best car chases in James Bond ever, obviously with Roger Moore in the role of 007. The 2CV makes its appearance at 4 minutes and 45 seconds.
The rules around windscreen replacement are the same for all cars on the Dutch road, including the 2CV from Citroën. This means that the windscreen has to be replaced when there is glass damage in the driver's field of vision and this is a chip with a diameter of at least 2 centimetres, or when it is a branched crack. Your Citroën 2CV will not pass the MOT with this window damage. In all other cases, you can continue driving with the windscreen damage, although many people opt for windscreen replacement because the 2CV looks considerably better without windscreen damage.
You already have a new windscreen for your Citroën 2CV for €199. That is considerably cheaper than the windscreens the Citroën dealer has for you and even cheaper than second-hand automotive glass for this model. In addition, you can easily order the windscreens directly online, where you can always immediately see the total price when you indicate your preferences on the page.
Our automotive glass is so cheap because our windscreens have no brand logo, meaning the exclusive character is missing. However, the quality of the windscreens is identical to that of the original ones, meaning you get the same when you choose us, but at a significantly lower price.
Replacing a car's windscreen is a precise job, even for an older car like the 2CV from Citroën. That's why we strongly discourage you from getting to work on replacing your windscreen yourself, unless you have a lot of experience replacing car windows yourself. To make things easier for you, we work with fitting partners who can replace your windscreen professionally and accurately for you. They will replace your windscreen on-site so that you do not have to worry about anything.
Are you a professional yourself or do you know someone who can replace your Citroën 2CV windscreen? Then you can also come to us for new car windows excluding on-site fitting.
Does the windscreen of your Citroën 2CV need to be replaced or do you have a model in mind that needs a new windscreen? Then with us you will find Citroën 2CV windscreens with the best value for money, including the possibility of having the windscreen replaced directly on location.
Can't find what you are looking for or do you have questions about any of our products? Then please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to help you personally.
