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| The Citroneta was a version of the 2 CV manufactured in Chile and Argentina. It used a type AZ chassis with 425 cm3 engine developing 12 bhp. Both chassis and engine were made in France while the bodywork was designed and produced in Chile. Weight: 495 kg. Tyres: 135 x 400 Michelin X. The blue car on the left of the page is a 1957 model. | |||
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1953 was the year when the first 2CVs were built in Chile to create employment. Initially, they caused lots of laughter due to their funny looks and ridiculous power output in comparison with the North American V8s. Afterwards, the Chilean designers created a body that would suit the country's specific needs. The car should be useful for both city dwellers and also for farmers who needed to carry fruit, vegetables, hens or even pigs. Thus, an open boot would make everything easier. The use of a "decapotable" roof was abandoned. The sales success that this model enjoyed was so great that it can be said that almost every Chilean has driven a Citroneta. All the streets were filled with this "French Miracle" as they were affectionately called. They also gave many Chileans their first chance to own a car, since before the 2CV there wasn't any car available at such a low price. The last one made in Chile was the AX-330 (1978, and it was pretty similar to the French design. The "boot design" was abandoned in 1973.) Production ended in 1979 in the face of increasing competition from the Japanese and Korean manufacturers. | ||
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It looks as if 2 CV Cross has even reached South America (above). Left - a brochure for the AX330 showing the tailgate and Dyane rear lamps. Photos courtesy of Delia Labbe and her son Sebastian of Santiago Chile who are both Citroën enthusiasts |
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| The Chilean factory also built this pick up variant in the late sixties... ...and this ambulance in the mid seventies |
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The Chilean factory built a version of the Baby Brousse called the Yagán (left) | ||
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© Julian Marsh/Citroënët 1999 | ||
