The information here is primarily focused on French-built vans. Those built in Belgium and Spain often differed, with changes introduced at different times - or even different models produced for their own markets only. The month the change was made is included if known (and if sources agree, which is not always the case).

The 2CV van (AU) was released soon after the first 2CV car. As with the cars, it received multiple upgrades over just under 30 years of production. The AU, and its successors the AZU and 250, was shared the car’s chassis and other parts and always had the smaller engines (375cc, 425cc and 435cc), thus remained a 2CV for French tax purposes. In 1963, a lengthened 2CV van with 350kg load capacity was released, the AK350, which was later replaced by the AKS400 (400kg load capacity). These had dedicated chassis and some other parts. The AKS400 had a higher roof than the AK350 although a low roof version, known as "caisse basse", was also available. The AKS400 was eventually replaced by the Acadiane (the name being a portmanteau of "AK", Citroen’s designation for the long A-series vans, and "Dyane"). The Acadiane combined the front-end and cab of a Dyane with the rear-end of an AKS400.

Ami vans, known as the Ami Service (later Enterprise), were also produced. Versions were built on the Ami 6, Ami 8 and Ami Super and were a 2-door version of the Ami Break, i.e. without rear doors. The Service was available in two versions:

1950

October

AU van presented at the Paris Salon de l’Automobile. Fully corrugated cargo bay with small lozenge-shaped windows in rear doors. 375cc engine (A type) developing 9bhp @ 3500rpm. Gearbox with identical internal ratios to the berline, but with 7/31 final drive instead of 8/31.

1951

March

AU production begins.

1954

October

AU replaced by AZU, with 425cc engine (A53 type), 6.25:1 compression ratio, developing 12bhp@ 4000rpm.

December

Change of suspension units to exposed springs.

1955

April

A speedo light was added.

May

Suspension units revert to enclosed springs.

December

Compression ratio changed to 7:1.

In early 1955 an AZUL “Weekend” version was introduced in Belgium (L for “Luxe”). Henceforth this “estate” variant would always be built in Belgium for the home market, featuring large side windows, a rear seat and copious amounts of additional bright trim, two-tone colour options and other luxury features.

1956

Demister added (driver’s side only).

1957

July

The cargo bay roof was made in one section instead of three.

1958

The single rear stop light, and combined number-plate/tail light, is replaced by two tail lights and one dedicated brake light with a dedicated light for the number-plate.

1959

September

380mm (15") wheels replace the former 400mm wheels

1961

February

The panel behind the cab was replaced with a new design with indents

July

The later type bonnet was introduced to vans

August

Introduction of Type Glaçauto (GA) in four versions, including a rear seat option and square rear windows.

November

Modification to rear lights and panels, with twin filament stop/tail light on the left (driver’s side)

December

Indented panel above rear doors introduced.

1962

February

A53 engine uprated to 13bhp @ 4000rpm, 7.5:1 compression ratio.

April

A53 engine further uprated to 15bhp @ 4500rpm.

1963

March

Engine uprated to 18bhp @ 5000rpm, type remains A53. Cargo bay coachwork modified to smooth sides with a single pair of square side windows similar to the rear doors (the roof remained corrugated). This version was plated AZU Series A. The Weekend version has three pairs of side windows.

April

Rectangular plastic indicators (on upper rear bodywork).

May

AK350 launched. Dimensionally identical to AZU, except the cargo bay is extended rearwards by 20cm and with rectangular side windows. Suspension was Ami 6 with telescopic dampers as well as the original inertia dampers, engine was the M4 type from the Ami 6, 602cc producing 22bhp @ 4500rpm.

AKL Weekend introduced later featuring, among other things, larger dashboard and steering wheel (also seen on the AZAM) and a courtesy light.

June

Telescopic dampers fitted to the rear of the AZU - friction and inertia damping remains at front.

September

AK350’s M4 engine upgraded to produce 24bhp.

1964

January

Indents added to cab roof.

December

Cab doors hinge from the front.

1966

February

AK350 electrical system uprated to 12 volts with charging by alternator.

1967

August

AZU engine uprated to 26bhp SAE @ 5450 rpm, type A79/0.

October

AK350 engine uprated to 26bhp @ 4500rpm, later type gearbox casing and “intermediate” braking system.

1968

March

Lower ratio gearbox fitted to AZU.

May

AK350 (AK Series B) engine replaced by M28/1, 32.8bhp SAE (26bhp DIN) @ 5750rpm, lower ratio gearbox and late-type braking system with pendant pedal gear.

December

Ami 6 Service (Type AMB-2 Series S) launched, with M28 35 bhp engine. Similar to Ami 6 Break, but with a flat cargo floor and no rear passenger doors. Available either with solid sides or with glass.

1969

February

AZU body panels changed to large ripples. Badged by Citroën as “250” it is usually referred to as AZU250. Retains chassis-mounted pedal gear, A79/0 “flat manifold” engine, 6 volt electrics and early-type gearbox - the last A-series to do so.

September

Ami 6 Service replaced with Ami 8 Service (AM Series JC).

1970

July

AK350 replaced by AKS400 (AK Series AK). Large ripple bodywork, cargo bay heightened by 17mm (hence AK becomes AKS, the S standing for "Surélevé", meaning raised). All mechanicals and running gear the same as the AK350 it replaced. Van variously known as AK400, AKS400 or Citroën 400 depending on territory.

All van production now concentrated in Le Forest, Belgium.

AK weekend now in more basic trim with two pairs of side windows or one pair of elongated ones.

1972

Jan

3rd January, 250 AZU Series B "Grandes Administrations" introduced - an updated version of the 250 with further modifications for French public sector organisations, e.g. EDF, PTT, Ponts et Chaussées & Office National des Forets, although still carrying a “250” badge. All AZU-B vans have engine type A79/1, 435cc 26 bhp SAE (24 bhp DIN) @ 6750 rpm as used in 2CV4 and Dyane 4 models with the same gearbox as those models.

1972

July or Aug

General introduction of 250 AZU Series B, without the Grandes Administrations modifications, replaces the AZU (which had become known as AZU-A).

1973

January

Ami Super Service (AM Series JH) introduced. Coachwork same as Ami 8 Service and mechanical specifications as per Ami Super, including a 1015cc flat-4 air-cooled engine that resulted in a 5CV tax rating in France which resulted in low sales.

1975

September

Friction and inertia damping discontinued - all models from now on have telescopic damping all round.

The 250’s type (the French "Désignation aux Mains") changes from "AZU (série B)" to "AZU (AK série AP)". Perhaps this is why some call theses vans AK250, but it was still an AZU and the commercial name remained Citroën 250.

Ami Super Service discontinued after a production run of 801.

1975

October

Ami 8 Service Vitrée discontinued.

1976

July

AKS400 suspension modified to fixed, non-interactive type cylinders as fitted to Ami Super.

1977

Ami 8 Service Tolée renamed Ami 8 Enterprise.

1978

February

Production of Dyane 6/400 begins in Spain at Citroën’s Vigo factory. Model is named Acadiane in all other markets. Cab uses Dyane coachwork, chassis is extended to give a wheelbase approx. 12.5cm longer than other A-series models. Payload is 475kg. Engine is AM2A, 31 bhp DIN @ 5750 rpm. Weekend version known as Mixta/Mixte with sliding, wider rear windows and a rear passenger seat with a footwell that could be concealed with a reversible panel produced for the Spanish/Belgian markets respectively. Also, for the Spanish market only a version without side windows was available, called “Isotermo”.

March

Production of 250 and 400 van ceases. Total production of all 2CV-based vans over 27 years was 1,246,306.

September

Ami 8 Service production ceases after a production run of 26,630.

1979

October

Rear brake limiter valve and a higher level of soundproofing.

1985

Acadiane removed from the sales list, but production continues in limited amounts.

1987

April

The last 120 Acadianes are built at a rate of 12 per day over a ten-day period.