The Evolution of Citroën: A Look Back at the Cars that Defined a Century

Citroën is a French automobile manufacturer founded in 1919 by André Citroën. The company quickly established itself as a leader in automotive innovation with introducing the Traction Avant in 1934, the first mass-produced front-wheel drive car. Over the 20th century, Citroën produced a wide range of models, each with its own unique features and style.

In the 1920s, Citroën produced several models, including the Type A, B, and C. These models were known for their affordability and reliability, making them popular with working-class families. In the 1930s, Citroën introduced the Traction Avant, which featured front-wheel drive, independent suspension, and hydraulic brakes. The Traction Avant was a huge success and helped establish Citroën as a leader in automotive innovation.

During World War II, Citroën’s production was limited, and the company focused on producing military vehicles. After the war, Citroën introduced the 2CV, which quickly became a popular model due to its affordability and durability. The DS followed the 2CV in 1955, which featured aerodynamic styling, a hydraulic suspension system, and power steering.

In the 1960s, Citroën introduced the Ami and the GS, both of which were popular models. The Ami was a smaller, more affordable version of the DS, while the GS was a larger, more luxurious model. In the 1970s, Citroën introduced the CX, which featured a futuristic design, self-leveling suspension, and a diesel engine option.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Citroën continued producing various models, including the Visa, the BX, and the Xantia. In the 2000s, Citroën introduced the C3 and C4 models, which were both popular with consumers. In 2010, Citroën merged with Peugeot to form PSA Peugeot Citroën, which later became the PSA Group.

Over the course of the 20th century, Citroën produced several iconic models, each with its own unique features and style. These models helped establish Citroën as a leader in automotive innovation, and the company’s commitment to producing affordable, reliable vehicles made it a popular choice with consumers around the world.

#1 German family in Citroën at Deutsches Eck, 1925

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#2 Young lady with Citroën in forest, 1929

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#3 Six people on a Citroën ferry, 1930

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#4 Group with Citroën C6, 1930

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#5 Lady with Citroën C6 in front of Art Nouveau building, 1930

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#6 German family with Citroën in the countryside, 1930

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#7 Group in Citroën C4 Cabriolet in vineyards, 1932

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#8 Lady with dog and Citroën 11 CV, 1935

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#9 Couple with Citroën in historic town centre, 1935

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#10 Lady and man with Citroën 7.5 H.P., 1936

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#11 Mother and son with Citroën 7 CV, 1938

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#12 Lady with pet and Citroën 11 CV, 1938

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#13 Three people with Citroën C4 in countryside, 1939

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#14 Belgian family with Citroën 11 CV on country road, 1947

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#15 Girl with Citroën Traction Avant in cobbled street, 1948

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#16 Group with Citroën 11 CV Cabriolet near the Rhine, 1950

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#17 Lady with Citroën 11 CV in countryside, Paris registration, 1950

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#18 Man with Citroën 11 CV Cabriolet in Basel, French plates, 1950

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#19 Young lady with Citroën 11 CV in French-speaking town, Zurich registration, 1950

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#20 Belgian family with Citroën 11 CV in sunny countryside, 1950

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#21 Two ladies with Citroën 11 CV on country road, Saarbrücken plates, 1950

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#22 Two middle-aged ladies with Citroën 11 CV on cobbled road in countryside, 1950

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#23 Lady with Citroën 11 CV under palm tree in exotic location, July 1951

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#24 Four people with Citroën 11 CV on snowy mountain road, Rhône registration, 1952

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#25 Lady in fur coat with Citroën 11 CV on tree-lined avenue, Paris registration, 1955

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#26 Lady with Citroën 11 CV in residential street with Israeli plates, 1955

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#27 Lady and man with Citroën 11 CV in residential street, Paris registration, 1955

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#28 Four ladies with Citroën 11 CV in shabby residential street, Moselle registration, 1955

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#29 Three members of a French family with Citroën 2 CV on roadside, Aube registration, 1955

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#30 Family of three with Citroën DS on roadside, Saarbrücken plates, 1956

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#31 Lady with Citroën 2 CV in countryside, 1960

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#32 Lady with Citroën DS in city square in summertime, 1960

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#33 Stylish lady with Citroën DS in tree-lined city street in summertime, Hamburg registration, 1960

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#34 Young lady with Citroën DS in Gießen, West Germany registration, 1960

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#35 Mother and daughter with Citroën DS in Recklinghausen, West Germany registration, 1960

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#36 Lady with Citroën DS in front of Le Perthuy du Roy hotel in Brittany, June 1961

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#37 Lady with poodle and Citroën DS on access road to hotel or sanatorium, Hamburg registration, 1962

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#38 Stylish lady with Citroën DS in busy city street in wintertime, 1962

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#39 Brunette lady with Citroën 2CV in hammock-style seats, 1965

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#40 Brunette lady on fender of Citroën 2CV in suburban street, Rhône registration, 1965

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#41 Young lady with Citroën DS in countryside, Paris registration, 1965

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#42 Seven members of a French middle-class family posing with a Citroën DS in the drive of a private home, 1965

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#43 Roger Moore promoting “For Your Eyes Only” with a Citroen 2CV on Vendome Plaza in Paris.

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#44 A Citroen 2CV rally car from around 1980.

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#45 Louis de Funès beside a Citroën Méhari during the filming of “Le Gendarme et les Extra-terrestres” in Saint-Tropez in 1978.

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#46 A 1972 Citroën DS21 Pallas

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#47 French actress Caroline Cellier posing with her father’s convertible Citroën and waving a bonnet, 1966.

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#48 Jacqueline Dubut, the first female airline pilot hired by Air Inter, standing beside her Citroën 2CV, 1966.

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#49 Jerry Lewis filling out a fake parking ticket while lying on the hood of a black Citroën DS on Place Vendôme in Paris, 1965

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#50 A DS Citroën in a news report on the Camargue.

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#51 Rupert Davies, who played Inspector Maigret, with the Citroën Traction Avant car used in the television series, 1963.

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#52 Jane Fonda and Alain Delon in a Citroën 2CV during the filming of “Les Félins” on the French Riviera, 1963.

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#53 King Hassan II of Morocco and Ahmed Ben Bella, the first president of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, in a black convertible Citroën DS, 1963.

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#54 A 1961 Citroën ID 19.

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#55 King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit of Thailand in a presidential Citroën Traction Avant 15-Six H Cabriolet escorted by motorcyclists in France, 1960.

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#56 A Citroën production line in 1960 producing Citroën DS 19s and Citroën ID 19s.

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#57 The audience of “The Hostage” at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in London, 1959.

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#58 A road test of the 1959 Citroën DS-19, known for its handling and driving characteristics

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#59 Singer Paul Anka, 17, getting into a Citroën DS outside Olympia in Paris in 1958.

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#60 Felix Gaillard, the Prime Minister of France, in a Citroën DS in Paris, 1958.

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#61 A Citroën 2CV parked on the quay at a harbor in 1957.

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#62 A model posing with a 1957 Citroën ID 19 in 1957.

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#63 French Citroën 2-CV Wagon in the United States, 1956.

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#64 French Citroën 2-CV Wagon in the United States, 1956.

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#65 Official visit of Guy Mollet to Algeria, September 8, 1956, with a convoy of official cars including a Citroën Traction Avant.

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#66 Official visit of Guy Mollet to Algeria, September 8, 1956

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#67 Road test of the 1956 Citroen DS19 in the United States, October 1956 issue of Motor Trend.

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#68 Road test of the 1956 Citroen DS19 in the United States, 1956

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#69 1956 Citroen DS19 Road Test, 1956.

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#70 1956 Citroen DS19 Road Test, 1956.

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#71 Motor Trend Editor Demonstrates Jacking a 1955 Citroen 2CV, 1955.

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#72 Two-tone 1955 Citroen 2CV Parked Outside Rustic LA Home, 1955.

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#73 Citroën 15/6 in the Monte Carlo Rally, 1955.

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#74 1955 Citroën 15CV, Specially Built for an Ambassador, at Motor Show, 1955.

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#75 Italian Actress Gina Lo, known for its innovative suspension and use of plastic in its construction.llobrigida Standing Beside Suitcases in a Citroen DS 19, 1955.

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#76 Close-Up Of Martine Carol Driving Citroën 2CV, 1954.

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#77 Citroën 2CV in the Monte Carlo Rally, 1954.

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#78 1938 Citroën 7CV at Brighton Motor Rally, 1953.

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#79 The 2CV Citroen Car Tested by Leader of Research Department, his Secretary and 2 Engineers, 1948.

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#80 Paris, Place des Pyramides (1st district), 1948.

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#81 Citroën 7CV Saloon, 1938.

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#82 Woman in Fashionable Dress Standing by Citroen Car with Dog, 1935.

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#83 Last Preparations for Olympia Motorshow, London, 1933.

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#84 Luxury Car, 6-Cylinder Citroen Cabriolet, 1929.

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#85 Citroen Production Line, France, 1922.

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#86 Lady with Citroën Six on gravel road, 1935

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#87 Five ladies with Citroën in cobbled street, 1935

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#88 German family with Citroën in countryside, 1935

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#89 Two ladies and man with Citroën 8 CV Rosalie, 1935

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#90 Lady with Citroën 2 CV in countryside, Saône-et-Loire registration, June 1, 1955

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#91 Lady, boy, and dog with Citroën 11 CV in graveled yard in wintertime, Paris registration, 1955

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#92 Lady with Citroën 2 CV in countryside with vineyards and Roche de Solutré in the distance, June 1, 1955

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