Citroen 2 CV Sahara 4x4, 1964
Citroen 2 CV
Citroen 2 CV•
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Chassis No.: 2005000080
Engine No.: 2077033020
Registration: DAP 323B
One of the more unusual of the many 2CV variants and certainly among the most collectible today, is the four-wheel drive 'Sahara' which, unusually, used a second engine to drive the rear wheels. This ingenious means of providing all-wheel drive had already been tried by some Citroën dealers and by the end of the 1950s, the factory had decided to produce an official version, which was intended mainly for use in the rough desert terrain of France's North African colonies. The first prototypes were shown to the motoring press in 1958, with production proper commencing in December 1960.
As well as the additional engine, the Sahara featured a special chassis, reinforced suspension, wider wheel rims, twin fuel tanks (beneath the front seats) and countless other modifications to enable the car to cope with difficult terrain and climate.
The 80th built of only 85 for the Spanish Guardia Civil (Police), chassis 0080 is a particularly rare version of an already rare and highly collectable classic. The 85 cars built for the Guardia Civil were all built between July and December in 1964 at the Citroën Vigo plant in the Province of Pontevedra, Galicia, on the Atlantic coast in Northern Spain to circumnavigate Spain’s high import taxes of the time. All 85 cars were painted in the attractive colour of ‘Verde Guardia Civil’ and it is believed that the Spanish incorporated many of their own modifications to the cars to optimise them for their own needs.
This car was bought as a restoration project by a Mr. Alan Lloyd who worked as a manager at Citroën West in the early 2000’s. He started the restoration around 2004 and the car’s impressive history file shows correspondence from the time of Mr. Lloyd sourcing parts and getting advice on the restoration from various specialists. It seems the project faltered and Mr. Lloyd had to sell the car before later managing to re-acquire it, carrying on its restoration around 2009 and seemingly completing it in 2010. The vendor, a passionate collector of 2CVs, bought the car in 2012 and it has remained a part of his collection ever since.
A lack of use however, has meant that he has now decided to move the car on to a new home. Reported to run and drive well, the car can be driven in both two and four-wheel drive, on either one or both engines, via a very clever single clutch shifting mechanism.
Supplied with its UK V5C registration document, a large history file filled with correspondence throughout its restoration, pictures of the restoration and a wealth of useful articles and information on the model. A unique piece of automotive history and an exceptionally rare version of an already very rare and collectable car not often available for sale.
