Citroen 2CV Sahara 4x4 (1958-1971)
The well known French 2CV was aircooled front wheel drive only. The name comes from it being 2 Taxable Horsepower. Originally fitted with a 7kW (9 hp) 375cc engine. 3.8 million were made from 1948.
The 2WD ones were designed to drive over freshy ploughed fields, they had good ground clearance and long suspension travel. It was only a matter of time before some went the next step!
The Sahara 4x4 has two engines, one front and one rear. They could be operated independently giving redundancy, a very handy feature when driving in remote North Africa! The traction was described as mountain goat like and running both engines doubled the top speed to 100 kph (60 mph)! 694 were produced. Vive La France!