The 2 CV 4x4 goes back to the invention of a certain Mr. Bonnafous from Savoy, who in 1954 is supposed to have constructed the "original" prototype 2 CV 4x4 twin engine with 2 x 375 ccm engines. The registration of the car by "Les Mines" took place in 1955 by issuing the license plates 625 K 73. This vehicle achieved more than 100,000 km after having been upgraded to 2 x 425cm without any problems. Due to the astonishing features of the vehicle, a Citroën dealer contacted Mr. Bonnafous, which led to studies on such a car by Citroën itself in 1957. The target-groups were buyers who wanted a "cheap and simple" off-road vehicle. Yet the twin engine concept was not new at all. Whether Mr. Bonnafous knew it or not, is unknown.
In March 1958 the first prototype left the PANHARD-factory, which belonged to Citroën at that time. There were no holes in the front-doors, no hood, which is characteristic of a 2 CV 4x4, and a bonnet made of corrugated sheet like the "normal" 2 CV's. Thermic problems with the rear-engine demanded a radical reconstruction for the second and third prototype. They showed for the first time the design we see today, thus having no fuel-filling holes in the doors and no backlights and signals in the rear-bonnet. The rearwings already had the cutout shape. The gears are operated by a common central shift lever, moving the shifter rods simultaneously, the rear rods being able to be lowered, so that they are out of action. The rear transmission is thereby out of action and the car may be used with only the front engine.
The definite production started in December 1960 and ended in 1971after 694 vehicles had been built. In 1971 the last SAHARA was manufactured from stored parts . Car no. 0001 allegedly exists in New Zealand and is owned by a retired Air New Zealand captain
Many fell for the ingenious construction and many car-testers of the time described the car enthusiastically (Fritz B. Busch in "Auto, Motor, Sport" issue 19/1961 and in "MOT" issue 6/1961 Stuttgart). But the price (about double the price of a standard 2 CV) kept many from buying. Thus, the "SAHARA" was a financial flop. Only the Spanish "Guardia civil" ordered some of them ( about 85). The Swiss PTT used some of the cars for difficult terrain. This may explain why there are so many Swiss-originated 2 CV 4x4 SAHARA's. Over and over again you can hear the story of the car dealer who wants to get rid of that crazy car in the backyard for almost nothing.
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