The Charleston was first produced as a very limited edition of 400 righthand drive cars in 1980 ('81 model year) and they were sold as soon as they became available. The style was reminicent of the 1930s and outlined some of the earlier shapes in 2CV history. The price was £2,551. They were based on the 2CV Club with the following exceptions:

1st Edition

Colour

  • Black and delage red

Exterior

  • Two colour design on the car with the "bauhaus" shape

  • Red painted wheels

Interior

  • Black and white 'houndstooth' check cloth seats

Citroën decided to produce more, this time limited only by how many they could sell.

2nd Edition

Colour

  • Black and Delage Red (red wheels), 1980 to 1990

  • Black and Yellow (yellow wheels), 1982 (price £2,745)

  • Cormorant Grey and Midnight Grey (metallic grey wheels), 1983 to 1990

Exterior

  • Round chrome headlamps

  • Wheels and bumpers were painted metallic grey

Interior

  • Seat covers made of grey quilted cloth

Initially the cars had the designs painted on, but later in their production (for the '85 model year) part of the design was replaced by transfers. Before 1985 the Delage Red and Black version had a red body shell with the black areas sprayed on, leaving red windscreen surround, rear valance, sills, A-panels and interior. In 1985 it was a sprayed black body shell with red vinyl stickers to produce the original pattern. This scheme was also followed with the two tone grey version. The last 2CV to be produced by Citroën was a two-tone Grey Charleston.