French car makers Citroën were taken over by their biggest creditors in 1935, the Michelin tyre factory people. In 1939 and under the auspices of Michelin, the cunning TPV (Toute Petite Voiture) project was launched, later resulting in the popular 2 CV (deux chevaux) motor car. Car production took a set back during the years of World War II in France and elsewhere but, production started again in earnest after 1948. The iconic 2 CV was finally launched in 1949 at the Salon de Paris (Paris Motor Show). Between 1949 and 1975, a total of 3,868,631 four door 2 CV vehicles were sold, as well as 1,246,335 vans. This model never really appealed to the British taste but, here in Spain the small and economic car was very popular and duly nicknamed as La Cabrilla, La Cirila or La Pava.

I cannot tell you how many 2 CV cars were sold in Spain but, I will have you know that the commercial version of the 2 CV, called Furgoneta AZU, was assembled in Spain from 1959 onwards.

The Citroën 2 CV Fourgonette shown here was probably built during the Sixties and its design altered into a pick-up version. I must admit that I had never seen one of these Citroën pick-up models here in Spain before but, having now spotted one I wanted to share my discovery with you. A friend of mine only recently found this treasure buried somewhere on his land. A beaut it is if you ask me, and a beauty it is if you don’t.

The photo was taken near Santanyí, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: May 8th, 2010. The time was 20:21:16.