Off the assembly line and straight onto the road. On July 23, 1959, it rolled out of the Levallois factory and was immediately issued a registration. It was just before the summer holidays, so apparently, some things needed to be done quickly. Even the Carte Grise was filled out rather provisionally: a stamp from the department and the notation “Neuf” (New); the rest was handwritten.

The car went to Fleury-les-Aubrais, a suburb of Orléans, 125 kilometers south of the factory. Mr. Gérardin, an accountant by profession, took delivery of it and drove it until 1990, if the tax sticker on the windshield is to be believed. In the meantime, the 2CV had been quite well preserved. The rear inner wings were repaired at some point and the exterior repainted, but otherwise, it remained relatively original.

In 1999, a fellow garage brought it to the Netherlands, and in 2000, it found a new owner. In 2010, the 2CV moved to the south of the country, where it was driven so little that we are now looking for a new caretaker.

What does the 2CV have to offer? Well, first and foremost, a very nice, authentic appearance; the new paint has already weathered a bit. But a second plus, perhaps even more important, is that the car still has its original 12 hp engine! It’s on a pallet, separately included. Because under the bonet, you’ll now find a 602cc engine from an Ami 6, with a matching gearbox, larger brakes, and modern driveshafts!

All of this fits neatly without any major, irreversible modifications and ensures that—with 25 hp, double its original power—it suddenly keeps up with modern traffic. It also no longer vibrates in corners—no more cross joints in the driveshafts—and the electrical system works better.

Because it hasn’t been driven much lately, we’re going to pamper it technically. With some maintenance, new brakes, tyres, and a few other things, it will be ready for classic fun. Stick out your hand to signal to other drivers which way you’re going, because they don’t always see the small side indicators.

And surprise the gas station attendant by pulling out the fuel dipstick to know how much fuel you need. And these are just two of the options this classic 2CV has to offer; we’re happy to show you the rest when you visit our showroom.