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Citroën Dyane |
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This is the story about the Citroën Dyane, the 2CV’s “ugly” sister.
In the early 60s, sales figures for the 2CV dropped considerably, mainly due to the huge success of the Citroën Ami 6 and of course the Renault 4. Because the Ami 6 was more “upmarket” than the 2CV, Citroën quickly needed a new car to compete with the Renault 4. Citroën wanted this new car to be built on the same production line as it’s sister, the 2CV, in order to save on costs.
Design
The management in Citroën found itself in a bit of a pickle. Citroën’s own design team couldn’t design the new car because they were too busy working on the re-designed version of the DS and the Ami 6. New projects and the death of Flaminio Bertone also meant that resources were limited. Citroën therefore decided to put the Panhard design team in charge of this new project. Panhard was partly owned by Citroën at that stage. When the Panhard design team presented the design to Citroën, they weren’t too pleased with the result. Citroën decided to amend the design themselves, which meant the front and back of the car were changed. Originally, the car had square headlights, but since this was too expensive for production, Citroën opted for round headlights with a square chrome trim. The name was originally patented by Panhard, but since Panhard was owned by Citroën, the name was transferred over and the new Citroën Dyane was born.
Evolution
1967
On August the 8th , the new Citroën Dyane was introduced to the press, followed by the Dealer Introduction on September 22nd.
1968
January: The Dyane was introduced to the public, using the Ami 6 engine (602cc).
March: The Dyane 4 was introduced, replacing the 425cc engine with the new 435cc engine and specially designed gearbox. The heater controls moved from the dashboard shelf to the bottom of the dashboard heating cover. The inner wings get a hole for letting out the hot air from the engine when the heater is turned off. The car now has an ashtray in the dashboard. A security windscreen is fitted and steel valve covers replace the alloy ones. The car also features modified camshaft, pushrods and camshaft followers on the 602cc engine.
April: The gearbox is modified and cardboard heater tubes are fitted on the Dyane 6.
July: The spring on the rear brakes is replaced by a U shaped rod. The gearbox on the Dyane 6 is modified.
September: The Dyane6 gets the modern AK2 602cc engine similar in design.jpg)
to the 435cc of the Dyane4. The plastic door panels are now black instead of white on the Berline Luxe/Comfort and Commerciale Luxe/Comfort. The wire mesh in the air intake on the bonnet is modified, as well as the rear door handles. The export models get soft rubber covering for the steering column controls unit. Seats/Bench are no longer on a separate frame but directly fitted into the seat runners.
October: Oil pump and ignition modification on all types. The dashboard now has an indication lights for high beam and indicator. The choke and starter get square knobs to replace the round rubber ones. The knob for the bonnet opening mechanism is replaced by a steel rod.
December: The front springs increase in diameter.
1969
January: The production of the Dyane 6 with M4 engine and Dyane 4 Comfort is ceased. “Paperclips” on the rear bumper are no longer available.
September: A third side window (C-post) is fitted on all models. The grille wire mesh is modified again. The battery charge light is replaced with a Volt meter, while the rest of the lights moved to the top dash (12V cars only). The cable operated starter is replaced by a fully electric one, operated with a red starter button on the dash. The windscreen washer foot pump is modified. On the cheaper models the hooks on the bench are replaced by the normal seat runner system. A steering lock becomes standard on all models. The 12V dynamo replaced with alternator and the rear light units are modified.
October: A round ball replaces the egg shaped knob on the gear lever (all models). The bonnet closing mechanism is modified and the steel tubular steering wheel is discontinued.
November: The Dyane 6 gets an external oil filter.
1970
February: The AM2 32bhp Ami 8 engine and gearbox (with drum brakes) is fitted. The black plastic steering wheel is replaced by a blue/grey one as is the dashboard. The Dyane 4 also gets the electrical starter and the crankshaft mounted 6 Volts starter motor is discontinued.
April: the fuel gage sender unit is modified.
June: The 4.5mm brake lines are replaced with 3.5mm ones, the rear brake hoses are replaced by spring shaped brake lines in the rear axle tube.
September: A rear parcel shelf is now available and the handle on the boot lid is modified.
December: At the front the inner wings are secured to the chassis with rubber holders and no longer with steel U shape ones. The rear view mirror is modified.
1971
May: The engine mounts on the 435cc model are modified so the same chassis can be used with both 435cc and 602cc engines.
September: The shaft on brake and clutch pedals is increased in diameter to 12mm and two extra pushbutton fittings are added to the roof. An exterior rear view mirror is now standard in France.
November: On the rear suspension arms the “batteurs” are no longer fitted.
1972
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Soundproof padding is now fitted on the inside of the bonnet.
April: The outside mirror is replaced by the fold away type.
June: The throttle pedal is modified and the cables for the heater controls are secured by clamps replacing the plates and nuts.
July: The door hinges are moved and get increased diameter pins. The bonnet hinge is now secured with 2 bolts instead of 3.
August: The carburettor is modified.
September: Metal door handles which point up are replaced by plastic ones pointing down. A bridge over the fuel tank is fitted and round suspension pull-rod eyes are replaced by 5 edge ones. The bonnet hinge is welded to the bonnet.
November: The door rubbers are no longer white/black but fully black.
December: The starter is integrated into the steering/ignition lock, which means the car can now be started off the key instead of a button. The rubber for the rear light is modified.
1973
March: A brown dash replaces the black one, and the car now has a single spoke soft coated steering wheel. The switch for the windscreen wipers is now square and fitted next to the ashtray.
July: The master cylinder and operating pin are modified. The choke button is moved below the gearlever. The ashtray increases in size and the model name sticker on the boot lid is replaced by an aluminium plate. The parking light switch is discontinued and a voltage regulator is fitted to the battery.
September: 125 15 X tyres replace the 125 X 380.
November: The sump is modified.
December: Increased area under the pushrod/oil-return tube rubbers.
1974
March: Black wiper arms are fitted and the teeth on the flywheel belt are hardened.
September: The gray bumpers are replaced by stainless steel ones. The stainless steel grille is replaced by a gray plastic one. The rear bumper is made bigger and has a black plastic strip. This plastic strip is now also fitted to the front bumper. The door cards now have arm rests and the choke know is now plastic.
1975
June: The black plastic trim on the bumpers is replaced by black tape.
July: A double action braking circuit is featured, with 2 glass fluid containers mounted on the bulk head. The “frotteurs” on the front removed and the car now has telescopic shock absorbers all round. The steering wheel is reduced in diameter from 430 to 390mm.
3 point seatbelts are fitted. The Dyane 4 is discontinued.
September: The carburettor is modified and the steering is modified on the Dyane6.
The rubber strips on the bumpers are replaced with black tape.
1976
September: A push button replaces the turning handle on the boot lid. The dashboard is now black. Dual circuit master cylinder and plastic brake fluid reservoir with level indication are introduced, including a low level indicator light and light testing button.
The stainless steel trim above the number plate is no longer fitted. Double valve spring replaced by a single valve spring.
October: The light on the front indicators is modified.
1977
January: The speedo now has even numbers up to 140km/h.
April: The Dyane Caban, a limited edition of 1500 cars, is introduced.
July: Disc brakes are now fitted at the front and the throttle is operated by a cable.
Automatic roll-up seatbelts are fitted in the front. The steel airfilter housing is replaced with a black plastic one. The tubular battery support is replaced by a wire one and the spare wheel support is replaced by a rod between the front wings.
September: Disc brakes replace the drum brakes at the front. The grey grille and door handles are replaced by black ones. The pushrod / oil-return pipe rubbers are modified.
October: The cables for the heater controls are secured by plates and nuts replacing the clamps.
1978
June: Brake lines with Citroën connections are now used, replacing the ISO connections.
September: Safety belts are fitted in the back. The floor mounted accelerator pedal is replaced by a hanging pedal and the handbrake lever is moved.
December: Headlight housing and chrome cover are now plastic.
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1979
July: A plastic 25 liter fuel tank replaces the 20 liter steel one. Separate front seats are now standard instead of optional.
1980
July: A rear view mirror with day/night position is fitted as standard. The chassis number is now placed on the right chassis leg under the cylinder head.
1981
June: The dashboard completely encloses the windscreen wiper motor, which is modified, as well as the connections.
July: The choke knob gets a light.
1982
February: The 3 finger clutch is replaced by the diaphragm clutch.
July: Metallic grey painted bumpers replace the stainless steel ones. The air scoop on the bonnet is removed and the inlet on the bonnet is modified.
1983
July: THE END! The production of the Dyane is stopped. The Dyane has lost the race with the car it should have replaced, the 2cv.
This article was kindly contributed by club member Dave de Beuckeleer who would
like to thank Jeroen Cats for allowing him to use the information available on his website www.cats-citroen.net.
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