Citroën 2 CV 007: 45 years in the world of James Bond

The Citroën 2 CV 007 is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. First unveiled in 1981 to coincide with the release of the film For Your Eyes Only, it combines one of France’s most popular cars with the world of cinema’s most famous secret agent.

A unique place in history

Citroën marked the film’s release with a limited edition of 800 cars featuring the iconic livery. The first launch took place in the UK on 4 July 1981, followed by a second in France on 14 October of the same year. With its yellow bodywork, bullet holes and famous ‘007’ logos, it remains inextricably linked to a sequence full of twists and turns that has become emblematic of the partnership between Citroën and the world of cinema. 45 years on, the 2 CV 007 perfectly illustrates the 2 CV’s ability to stand the test of time and become part of European popular culture. To mark the occasion, the 2 CV 007 is being added to the website www.citroenorigins.com, a true digital heritage site for the brand, which also saw the arrival of the 2 CV Spot earlier this year.

Poissy, November 13 2026 – The Citroën 2 CV occupies a unique place in the history of the motor car. A symbol of freedom, simplicity and ingenuity, it has been a part of several generations’ lives and has transcended the world of motoring to become a lasting fixture of popular culture. Among the many chapters that make up its history, the year 1981 stands out, with its appearance in the film For Your Eyes Only, the twelfth opus in the James Bond series.

The chase sequence

This time, Roger Moore, alias Agent 007, shares the screen with French actress Carole Bouquet, who plays the charming Melina Havelock. Together, they take their seats in a yellow Citroën 2 CV 6 at the heart of a spectacular car-chase sequence that has become one of the most memorable in the franchise. Thanks to its unexpected nature, this appearance helps to reinforce the image of a car already deeply rooted in the collective imagination.

Travelling along steep, winding roads, the little Citroën performs a series of rollovers, skids, jumps and stunts, in stark contrast to the powerful cars usually associated with the British agent. This chase sequence, filmed in Corfu, Greece, but set in the Spanish countryside around Madrid, transforms the popular 2 CV into a true action car and leaves a lasting mark on its cinematic history.

Forty-five years after this encounter between the worlds of James Bond and Citroën, the 2 CV 007 remains a testament to a unique synergy between the motor industry and the silver screen, whilst illustrating the 2 CV’s ability to stand the test of time without ever losing its popularity.

A 2 CV transformed into a stunt car

To meet the demands of the film, three 2 CVs were specially prepared in the United Kingdom to carry out the stunts devised by Rémy Julienne. Behind the familiar, unassuming appearance of the little Citroën lay significant technical modifications designed to enhance its performance and robustness.

Beneath the recognisable bodywork of the 2 CV lies a markedly different mechanical setup. In particular, the cars used during filming were fitted with 1,015 cm³ flat-four engines of the Ami Super and GS types.

The modifications do not stop at the mechanics. To withstand the stresses imposed by the action scenes, the cars also feature numerous safety reinforcements, including a roll cage, protection beneath the engine and gearbox, and a suspension system that has been toughened, reinforced and tuned accordingly.

Prepared in this way, the 2 CV can perform one stunt after another without ever faltering and, for the duration of a sequence, becomes a true action car. This contrast is all the more spectacular given that the model remains instantly recognisable on screen thanks to its familiar silhouette and yellow color.

From the screen to the road: the birth of the 2 CV 007

To stick up with the film’s release, Citroën launched a limited edition in 1981 directly inspired by the car featured on screen. Named the 2 CV 007, this model followed in the footsteps of the limited editions that helped maintain the appeal of the little Citroën throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

The first 300 units, intended for the United Kingdom and unveiled in July 1981, were based on a right-hand-drive 2 CV 6 Club in Mimosa Yellow, whilst the 500 units sold in France the following October were 2 CV 6 Spécial models painted in Hélios Yellow and fitted with the rectangular headlights of the 2 CV 6 Club.

In addition to its distinctive color, the 2 CV 007 stands out thanks to a series of specific graphic elements. The ‘007’ adhesive logos affixed to the bonnet, doors and boot lid, as well as the famous stylised bullet holes riddling the bodywork, are all direct references to the world of James Bond.

With 800 units produced at the Levallois plant in France, the 2 CV 007 remains one of the most sought-after and recognisable limited editions in the model’s history. It illustrates Citroën’s ability to combine creativity, heritage and popular culture to produce vehicles with a unique character.

Press release from Citroën / Stellantis. Content translated and formatted by the editorial team.