Citroën 5CV Zagato

The Citroën 5CV Zagato one-off.

Vehicle Overview

The Citroën 5CV Zagato is a unique, one-off vehicle produced in 1956 by the renowned Italian coachbuilder Zagato. This rare model represents a distinctive intersection between French automotive engineering and Italian design, standing as one of the few known collaborations between Citroën and Zagato. The car is believed to have been a private commission, reflecting the mid-20th century tradition of bespoke coachbuilding on established platforms. Although the name references the Citroën 5CV, originally associated with the Type C produced between 1922 and 1926, the Zagato version does not share the mechanical basis of the early 5HP model. Instead, the 5CV Zagato appears to be based on more modern Citroën mechanicals available in the 1950s, likely from the 2CV or a related small-displacement platform. The “5CV” designation may have been used informally or symbolically, as French fiscal horsepower classifications were often employed in naming conventions. The body of the 5CV Zagato was crafted entirely by hand, consistent with Zagato’s practice of creating lightweight, aerodynamic bodies in aluminum. The design reflects the house style of Zagato during the postwar period, with a fastback roofline,the double bubble, a compact greenhouse, and minimal ornamentation. The front end featured simple circular headlamps and a small grille, maintaining Citroën’s understated character while adding Italian flair through sharper lines and refined proportions. Interior details are scarce, but it is likely that the cabin was finished in a minimalist fashion, typical of both Citroën’s engineering philosophy and Zagato’s racing-influenced aesthetic. The car was intended more as a stylistic exploration than a commercial prototype, and it remained a one-off model. The Citroën 5CV Zagato was not intended for mass production and remains largely unknown outside of specialist circles. It serves as a historical curiosity that illustrates the kind of unique, cross-cultural automotive experiments that occurred during the golden age of coachbuilding. Today, this car is a rare artifact of two very different automotive philosophies—French innovation and Italian artisanal craftsmanship—coming together in a singular, elegant form.