Forty years ago, in 1980, Citroën introduced a special version of the 2CV, which was given the name 'Charleston'. This version, which would be produced in a series of 8,000 copies, cost 24,800 French francs in France at the time, a small 6,000 euros. As the press release described at the time:"To satisfy the 2CV purists, it is equipped with round headlights with a red housing."The 2CV 6 Charleston was the most powerful and beautifully finished version of all 2CV's. After the Spot from 1976, the 2CV 6 Charleston capitalizing on the then new phenomenon of special series.
The special Citroën 2 CV 6 Charleston was based on the Club version and was distinguished by its specific colour scheme, its interior trim and the round headlights of the 2CV Spécial. The year after its introduction, the Charleston proved so successful that the limited special version became a regular version from July 1981. The regular production version differs from the limited edition by the chrome-plated round headlights and the grey interior trim with a graceful diamond pattern. Citroën initially offered the Charleston in the colour Rouge Delage with black, but from July 1982 also in Jaune Hélios with black. That color combination was replaced in July 1983 by the version in two shades of gray: Gris Nocturne with Gris Cormoran.
Citroën originally produced the Charleston at the plant in Levallois (Paris), but in 1988 it transferred production to the factory in Mangualde, Portugal. The cars produced there are recognizable by the name of the Spanish glass manufacturer 'Covina' on the windows. On July 27, 1990 at 4:30 p.m., the last 2CV rolled off the production line in Mangualde; that was a 2CV 6 Charleston in Gris Nocturne with Gris Cormorant. That was the 5,114,969th and last copy of 'the Duck'.
The Citroën 2CV is an icon in car history and unites many enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. The Charleston made an important contribution to the success of the last ten years of production.
Nowadays, a 2CV Charleston of the original limited series, which is in good condition, can yield about 14,500 euros. The regular production version can yield about 10,500 euros. These are large sums of money. It is still possible to buy a brand new Charleston for a modest amount, in the Boutique Citroën Lifestyle, namely in the form of a miniature in 3-inch (€ 5) and as a key fob (€ 4). The Charleston is still very popular: one in five 2CV miniatures sold is a Charleston!
In 2008 Citroën introduced a special Charleston version of another model in the Citroën range on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the 2CV: the C3 Pluriel Charleston, in the same colour scheme of Rouge Delage with black.