If you compiled a list of the attributes a buyer might seek in a classic car, it could be extensive. It might range from excellent performance to a wide selection of options to tailor the motoring experience to their personal preference. The 1955 Citroën 2CV offered buyers approximately two. The first was the paint color, with the second being whether to spend their money to park one in their driveway. The 2CV represents motoring at its most basic, but that was the secret to its success. It is easy to repair, maintain, and restore. The seller was well down the road of returning this 1955 model to its former glory when they relocated. They don’t have room to finish the job and want to send it to a new home. It is listed here on Craigslist in Monument, Colorado. For those seeking an affordable project, this Citroën 2CV delivers at $3,500. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Huff for spotting this quirky French classic.

Some classic cars are undeniably beautiful, with the original Jaguar E-Type Roadster being a firm favorite of mine. Vehicles like the Third Generation Plymouth Barracuda possess muscular good looks. Let’s be honest; the 1955 Citroën 2CV is no oil painting. However, it is unerringly practical. Its designers focused on ease of construction and maintenance during development, meaning restorations can be some of the easiest within the classic world. The seller started their process using a frame-off approach. They discovered hidden rust in the floors and braces, repairing the issues to a high standard before applying a fresh coat of Black paint. This aspect of the car is in as-new condition, needing nothing before the buyer drops the body back into place. The panels are relatively straight and rust-free but will require stripping to bare metal before the buyer applies a fresh coat of paint. They might elect its original shade of Fern Mist Green, although the world is their oyster if they seek something vibrant or unique. Some trim pieces and the fabric sunroof require replacement, although parts are plentiful and relatively cheap. The glass looks nice, and the initial impression is that it won’t cost a fortune to have this French classic presenting at its best once again.

Post-war European cars often featured modest drivetrains, and the 1955 Citroën 2CV was no exception. Powering this classic is an air-cooled twin-cylinder engine. Because this is the “AZ” version, it features the “big-block” 424cc powerplant churning out a whole 12hp. Those ponies feed the front wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. The car tips the scales at 1,113 lbs, but the modest power makes the ¼-mile ET of 32.6 seconds unsurprising. Citroën quotes a top speed of 50mph, although these cars are more comfortable cruising at 40. We receive no information on the car’s mechanical health, but the tidy nature of the drivetrain suggests it may have received a refurbishment. It appears complete, meaning it might take little effort to coax it back to life. The interior is an unknown quantity. Some shots reveal glimpses of the seats, but the upholstery condition is unclear. Replacement parts are affordable, making this part of the restoration relatively straightforward and inexpensive.

It is challenging to explain precisely how elegantly simple the engineering of a Citroën 2CV is, but an episode of Mythbusters exposed the truth. Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman drove one of these classics to a remote location to test the myth that a stranded owner converted one of these cars into a functioning two-wheeled motorcycle using nothing but the basic tools found in an average toolbox. They took a selection of spanners, screwdrivers, pliers, and a hammer and almost entirely dismantled the vehicle without outside assistance or extra tools. That makes the 2CV an excellent first restoration project for enthusiasts looking to enter the classic work. The plentiful supply of new and reproduction parts and the asking price make this Citroën a tempting proposition. Would you consider yielding to that temptation?