2CVs in the Sixties - 1961 to 1969

The end of the ripple bonnet! A new bonnet with five corrugations was introduced, along with separate panels between the wings and bonnet and a detachable grille. The colour range also increased (see separate section in this handbook).

A new carburettor was introduced and the compression ratio increased to 7.5.1, giving a power output of 13.5 bhp at 4,000 rpm and a maximum speed of 53mph. March saw the introduction of a utility variant, the MIXTE, prepared by the Société E.N.A.C. For this model, the rear window and boot lid opened as one to form a much larger tailgate. The rear floor was levelled, for easier loading and the spare wheel was moved to under the bonnet.

Electric windscreen wipers were introduced. February - The AZA was introduced, with a 28 type carburettor replacing the earlier 26 type and power increased to 18bhp SAE at 5,000 rpm (or 16.5bhp DIN at 4,200rpm), giving a maximum speed of 59mph. In March the AZAM was introduced, featuring luxuries such as hub caps, tubular overriders, Ami 6 seats, heating to the passenger’s feet and much brightwork.

June - 125 x 380 Michelin X Tubeless tyres were introduced.

The ‘suicide’ front doors were replaced by front-mounted hinges and the door handles were moved to the rear of the door.

Hydraulic rear shock absorbers were introduced and constant velocity joints replaced the earlier universal joints on the driveshafts. The grille was modified to the ‘three bar’ type, with chevrons being fitted to the bonnet just above the grille. The AZA’s bumpers and overriders were finished with black plastic inserts. Most noticeable was the introduction of the rear quarterlight windows to the coachwork on all but the basic AZL and Sahara. (Models with quarterlights are commonly referred to as “six light” and those without “four light”). N.B. This wasn’t the first six-light 2CV, as the Forest factory in Belgium had introduced them on the AZL6 a few years earlier. It had rear quarter lights but of a slightly different shape.

April - The 2CV Export appeared in France, for four months. This was a deluxe version of the AZAM model, incorporating white plastic wheel rim embellishers, and for the first time indicator lamps mounted on the front wings. These lamps were rectangular, unlike the recessed round ones that eventually appeared on all models. The rear indicators were still mounted high on the side of the body.

The AZL (four light coachwork) disappeared from the range. The 2CV had its 20th anniversary without any major change. The A-series range now consisted of the Ami, Dyane and 2CVs, so the 2CV models were reduced to just two, the Berline and the Commerciale (Berline, modified by ENAC) for the French market.

In March, the aluminium rocker covers were replaced by the pressed steel ‘floral’ shape (often called ‘jelly moulds’) The A-series model range was in need of some rationalisation, as it now consisted of the 2CV, Dyane, Ami and Méhari. In all, there were 19 variants available in France, only two of which were 2CVs. The 2CV had the 425cc engine, but the Dyane 4 had the newer 435cc unit, while the Dyane 6, Méhari and Amis were using the 602cc engine.