For all those who are netting the Intersurf or whatever the term is, with a burning desire to learn about the origins of the 2CV, this is the page for you!

The genesis of the 2CV began in the early '30s when Pierre Boulanger, Citroen's MD, drove out into the countryside and found himself stuck behind a horse and cart doing 0.0000001 Mph. "Bloody peasant!" he roared, "Buy yourself a car!" These may not have been his exact words, but an idea took root. The reason why rural farmers didn't own cars was that they were simply too expensive, and -- being aimed at the moneyed classes -- tended to be lavish walnut-and-leather affairs. In short, not the kind of car that would put up with half a ton of manure being shovelled into the boot on a regular basis.

Boulanger realised that if he could produce a cheap, simple and rugged car, a vast untapped market would be opened up. On arriving back in Paris, he assembled his design team. "I want four wheels and a platform under an umbrella" he announced to his astonished design chief, who screamed twice and fell to the floor with a sickening thud. When he was revived, Boulanger continued.

He wanted a car that would carry two peasants and 100lb of potatoes, have a maximum speed of 60kmph (38mph) and do 100 kilometers per 3 litres of fuel (0ver 90mpg!). The car must also be capable of carrying a basket of eggs over a ploughed field without breaking a single one. Muttering "loony" under their breath, the team set to work...