The Citroën 2CV van was never officially sold in the United States, so the few that come up for sale are generally well-restored examples that are fresh off the boat. Enthusiasts looking for a 2CV van in need of a light restoration have a rare opportunity to buy a sought-after 1966 example on eBay - opens in new window or tab. from a seller conveniently located in California.
The owner states that his 2CV spent about a quarter-century sleeping in a garage, which likely explains why it’s solid after all these years. 2CVs rusted extraordinarily well, but this red example looks like it’s largely managed to escape the tin worm. While surface rust here and there is nothing to worry about on these cars, major rust issues can ultimately cause the frame to bend right below the foot well.
If your inner Francophile isn’t excited about the idea of a solid, unrestored 2CV AK—that’s Citroën-speak for van—patiently waiting for its next owner in California, know that the example listed on eBay is even rarer than the average van because it’s fitted with four rear windows. A vast majority of 2CV vans were either basic panel models or fitted with just two windows in back. The extra glass was added by an aftermarket company called Glacauto in a bid to make the AK more family-friendly, and these modified models are few and far between. They are highly sought-after by collectors today. Many came with a rear bench, although the example listed on eBay parted ways with its rear seats.
How this 2CV got to the United States, when, and why, is anyone’s guess—oh, how we wish cars could talk. However, it was clearly used on a regular basis because it’s equipped with front seats that look like they come from a newer and bigger car, and it’s fitted with an aftermarket light right above the driver-side rear door hinge.
The seller claims that his 2CV ran when parked, and it was started up occasionally while it was in storage. In 1966, the 2CV AK could hit a top speed of over 60 miles per hour thanks to a 602cc air-cooled flat-twin engine that pumped out 22 horsepower and 29 pound-feet of torque. The AK is more practical than its anemic engine might suggest; new, it offered a nearly 900-pound payload.
Although eccentric, the 2CV is surprisingly easy and affordable to own because several aftermarket vendors in Europe manufacture brand new OEM-spec parts. Sourcing a headlight, a front bumper, an original exhaust, and period-correct seats for the AK should be child’s play. As an added bonus, the AK shares many components with the more common 2CV sedan.
The 2CV is becoming more valuable by the minute, even in its home country of France, and the number of examples treated to a full restoration is growing. Finding a project car for sale without trekking out to the French countryside is easier said than done. Stumbling upon a Glacauto-modified project car that doesn’t need to be shipped across the Atlantic could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Editor’s note: While doing research for this post, we wondered if the example on eBay is a 1970-1973, not a 1966 like the seller states. The ID plate in the engine bay is not the original. It notes “AK serie AKB,” but that doesn’t exist. The closest is AK serie B, which would have been a 1968-1970 van. It also says 3CV 400, but the 400 designation wasn’t adopted until 1970. It’s a mystery that only builds more intrigue for this French van.
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