1986 Citroen 2CV6 Club – Exterior and Interior – Retro Classics Stuttgart 2022

In July 1979, Citroën restructured the 2CV range, replacing the 2CV6 with the Citroën 2CV6 Club. This reorganization introduced a clearly defined three-tier lineup designed to appeal to different customer priorities. The 2CV6 Spécial served as the entry-level model, the Citroën 2CV6 Club catered to buyers seeking additional comfort, and the 2CV6 Charleston targeted customers for whom style and visual flair were paramount.

Inhalte Verbergen

1 Technical Details:

2 Design:

3 Historical Significance:

4 Quirks and Pop Culture:

5 Display and preservation:

6 Conclusion:

Technical Details:

The Citroën 2CV6 Club represents the more comfort-focused evolution of the classic 2CV formula. Technically, it is a direct successor to the 2CV6 and retains the same fundamental mechanical architecture that had defined the model for decades. Power is delivered to the front wheels, and the overall drivetrain concept remains intentionally simple, prioritizing reliability, ease of use, and low running costs over outright performance.

While the Citroën 2CV6 Club does not introduce radical mechanical innovations of its own, it benefits from the maturity of the 2CV platform, which had been continuously refined over the years. Its technical configuration supports everyday usability and relaxed driving rather than sporting ambitions. The Citroën 2CV6 Club is positioned between the entry-level Spécial and the more style-oriented Charleston, offering a balance of practicality and improved comfort. The emphasis is not on technical novelty but on providing a more pleasant and civilized driving experience while preserving the essential character of the 2CV.

Manufacturer: Citroën
Model Name: Citroën 2CV6 Club
Year of Manufacturing: 1979–1990

Design:

As the logical heir to the 2CV6, the Citroën 2CV6 Club benefits from a higher level of finish that places it firmly in the upper tier of the 2CV range. It is clearly positioned as a more luxurious alternative to the Spécial, offering visible and tangible improvements in both interior comfort and exterior detailing. For a relatively modest price increase of around 5,000 francs over the Spécial, buyers gained a noticeably more refined vehicle.

One of the most recognizable design features of the Citroën 2CV6 Club is its rectangular headlights, which distinguish it from earlier round-headlamp models. These square headlights remained a defining element until they were definitively abandoned in July 1987, both in France and abroad. Externally, the Club dispenses with the chevrons on the hood, instead featuring a plastic grille, a solution shared with the Spécial and fitted as standard. From the 1979 model year onward, the traditional rocker panel trim was replaced by a simple black adhesive strip, a cost-effective solution that also concealed spot-weld seams less effectively than the earlier chrome strips.

Inside, the Citroën 2CV6 Club’s design upgrades are more pronounced. The interior is more comfortable, with better-padded seats and higher-quality trim. The fabric roof matches the color of both the seats and the bodywork, unlike the Spécial, which features an anthracite-colored roof. A major practical advantage is that the Citroën 2CV6 Club’s roof can be opened from inside the car, a feature not available on the Spécial, where opening is done from the exterior.

The Citroën 2CV6 Club also inherits a larger speedometer, originally used in the Ami 6, reinforcing its more upmarket positioning. Door panels are lower and include a full-length plastic trim that integrates the door lock surround, running from front to rear. Black plastic interior door-opening strips are fitted, a feature shared with the Charleston. Unlike many other 2CV variants, the Citroën 2CV6 Club surprisingly does not use chrome Dyane-style hubcaps. However, it does gain a practical hammock-style storage net behind the rear bench seat, adding everyday usability.

Historical Significance:

The Citroën 2CV6 Club was assembled at Citroën’s Levallois plant until February 1988, when the company decided to halt sales in France and simplify the product range. After production in France ended, the Citroën 2CV6 Club continued to be manufactured for an additional two years at Citroën’s factory in Mangualde, Portugal. This extended production run underscores the Citroën 2CV6 Club’s role as a stable and practical offering within the late 2CV lineup, even as the model approached the end of its long lifecycle.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

Despite its thoughtful positioning, the Citroën 2CV6 Club remained a marginal seller in France. Many customers preferred the more visually distinctive 2CV6 Charleston or opted for the less expensive Spécial while selecting the Club’s fabric interior as an option. As a result, the Citroën 2CV6 Club often occupied a quiet middle ground—appreciated for its comfort and practicality but overshadowed by the stronger identities of its siblings.

Display and preservation:

The vehicle was exhibited at the Retro Classics Stuttgart in 2022. This car show is one of the major events on the classic car calendar in Germany. In 2022, it took place across five exhibition halls. Visitors can enjoy special showcases, hunt for rare parts and books, and buy cars—both private sellers and dealers offer a wide range of classic and youngtimer vehicles. In 2022, there was a noticeable increase in low-mileage youngtimers and classic cars.

Conclusion:

The Citroën 2CV6 Club stands as a refined and sensible interpretation of the legendary 2CV concept. Introduced in 1979, it offered increased comfort, thoughtful interior upgrades, and practical features that enhanced everyday usability without compromising the simplicity that defined the model. Positioned between the utilitarian Spécial and the expressive Charleston, the Club catered to drivers seeking a more comfortable yet still unmistakably authentic 2CV. As one of the final evolutions of this iconic car, the 2CV6 Club reflects Citroën’s ability to adapt a timeless design to changing customer expectations while remaining true to its original philosophy.