The final Citroën 2CV built in Portugal

Some cars need no introduction, and the Citroën 2CV is one of them. What many people do not realise, however, is that the very last one ever built rolled off a Portuguese production line.

The final Citroën 2CV leaves Mangualde

That moment came on 27 July 1990 at 16:30, at the Mangualde plant. It marked the end of a story that began in 1948 and ultimately produced more than 5.1 million cars. There was a band, speeches, and a clear sense that an important chapter in both the Portuguese and wider European motor industry was coming to a close.

Portugal became the last country to build the model

From 1988 onwards, manufacturing had been concentrated solely in Portugal. In doing so, the country became the 11th-and final-nation to assemble the model that put generations on the road.

The last car: Citroën 2CV 6 Charleston

The final example was a Citroën 2CV 6 Charleston, finished in its signature two-tone paintwork in two shades of grey.

Interestingly, the 2CVs built in Mangualde were seen as more refined, largely due to improved sound insulation-an unexpected point for a car whose defining strength was always its simplicity.

The last Citroën 2CV was eventually bought by Claude Hébert, who was the director of the Mangualde factory at the time.

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