Slim and chic: Citroën Dyane

Everyone knows the duck, but in the shadow of Citroën 2CV was born as a car with the same genes: meet our Dyane cover model at the time. The sister was a bit more modern, but just as thin and elegant as her famous sister.

Modern successor

After a successful first 20 years, enthusiasm for the Citroën 2CV gradually waned in the mid-1960s. You’d think it was time for a modern successor. However, due to the limited budget, it has to be built on the same production line as the 2CV. The idea is that the 2CV will simply continue in production, with the possibility that the newcomer will replace it in due course. The in-house design department is too busy with ongoing projects. The order for the new design therefore goes to Panhard, the famous French brand previously swallowed up by Citroën. Unfortunately, the result doesn’t get into the hands of Citroën’s design chief Opron. The front in particular is heavily modified before the Dyane can be shown to the public in 1967.

edgier

Mission accomplished, the Dyane is indeed, above all, a luxurious and significantly modernized 2CV. Less spartan, but met all the virtues that have made the venerable duck so popular. The model lies exactly between the larger Ami and the 2CV, a niche that Renault has cleverly jumped into with the practical R4. For the domestic market it is important that the Dyane falls in the same tax bracket as the 2CV and lower than the Renault. The name suggests a Panhard connection, there are even rumors that the Dyane was released as Panhard. No sheet metal part is interchangeable and the round shapes have been replaced by square ones, the separate headlights have been moved to the front fenders and the concave shape of the doors provides additional strength. The original 2CV proportions are still clearly recognizable.

fifth door

Biggest improvement is the addition of a fifth door. The separate fenders and semi-concealed rear wheels, the tarpaulin roll-top, the umbrella switch and the removable bench seats remain. The ultra-comfortable chassis has also been adopted one-to-one and the economical, air-cooled two-cylinders are back on course. Initially with 425 cm3, from 1969 with 435 and 602 cm3 capacity. The Dyane is a hit and sells better than the 2CV in the first few years.

revival of the duck

But in the early 1970s something curious happened. Due to the energy crisis, sales of the cheaper 2CV are increasing significantly at the expense of the Dyane. The characteristic 2CV proved to be irreplaceable and in the 1970s changed from the rudimentary means of transport of the French farmer to the only socially acceptable car for the left-wing population groups. But the sensible big brother Dyane will be available alongside the 2CV for the whole decade. In 1977, even the charming best-selling Acadiane was added to the range and was given access to disc brakes at the front. In 1983, after 16 years and almost 1.45 million units, the last Dyane rolled off the assembly line, against more than 3.8 million 2CVs in the same period. The latter then bravely marched on for another seven years until safety and emissions regulations put an end to the air-cooled era.

aoffer and prices

Where Duck prices are now skyrocketing, the prices of the less popular and rarer Dyane are still lagging behind. Fortunately, the days when many people were slaughtered for parts are over. Good news for the enthusiast because the ride feel is identical and the Dyane has theirs
undeniable charm in itself. Count on 1500 euros for a project, a mille or 7 for a nice used example and a maximum of 15,000 euros for top quality. It’s easy to do yourself, parts are readily available, and relatively affordable. In addition, there are many specialists.