Citroën 2CVS are moving faster than you’d imagine

i’m seeing a strong upward trajectory on the Citroën 2CV. i know this because i’ve been trying to buy one. there’s real demand out there, and anything solid and clean with a sensible asking price finds a new home within days. even the numerous specials and Dollys from the late eighties make £5000 and well-kept Charleston, Bamboo and Beachcomber limited editions can fetch £7k.

Finely restored cars are now heading towards £14k with the desirable 007 versions (built to celebrate that absurd car chase in For Your Eyes

Only and complete with stick-on bullet holes) being advertised for £20,000. the more authentic 425cc azs and ripple-bonnet cars are hot too, with dealers asking bullish money for proper ones. h&h recently sold an older restoration left-handdrive Fifties ripple bonnet for £10,125 and Brightwells dispatched a freshly restored ’62 az for £11,000. not so long ago tatty cars were in the hundreds and minters would struggle to pull £7k. the tin snail has quietly doubled in price. But don’t think you can pop across the Channel and lift a cheap 2CV from a dozy farmer in normandy. the French are going nuts for them too, with prices higher than in the uk. the Mehari – a 2Cv-based glass fibre bodied beach version – can make up to £30k and even Dyane values are on the rise. My money would be on a seventies 2CV Club with the square headlamps and in a strident colour like orange or yellow or a rare special edition spot. that Gallic automotive eccentricity we all used to snigger at has suddenly become cool. Who knew?