Electric power steering for vintage Citroën cars: 2CV, Traction Avant, Méhari, and C25 — the complete guide

Owning a vintage Citroën car means owning a piece of French automotive history. The 2CV with its popular charm, the Traction Avant with its pre-war elegance, the timeless beach spirit of the Méhari, and the robust utility nature of the C25 that has become a favorite base for vintage camper vans — each of these vehicles tells a different story of Citroën's innovative spirit. But behind this timeless charm often lies a concrete reality for their owners: heavy, demanding, and sometimes painful steering, especially during low-speed maneuvers.

Good news: you no longer have to choose between authenticity and driving comfort. Adaptable electric power steering now allows you to modernize the driving experience of your vintage Citroën without altering its original character.

Why is the steering of an old Citroën so demanding?

Historical Citroën cars were, for the most part, never designed with modern power steering assistance — and when it was available as an option, it is now difficult to find in used parts. The 2CV, designed for lightness and mechanical simplicity, transmits every road irregularity directly to the steering wheel. The heavier and wider Traction Avant requires significant physical strength during parking and city maneuvers. Despite its lightness, the Méhari shares the same steering mechanics as the 2CV from which it is derived, with similar limitations in urban use. As for the C25, widely distributed without power steering as standard, it remains the most popular base for vintage camper van conversions — where the weight of the loaded vehicle makes manual steering particularly strenuous, especially during parking maneuvers.

The result: a driving pleasure that, over time, leads to muscle fatigue, and even shoulder and wrist pain for many owners — especially during club outings, rallies, long journeys, or, for C25 owners, long weekends in a camper van.

Electric power steering: a solution designed for vintage cars

Unlike a hydraulic system, which is often heavy, bulky, and requires regular maintenance (hoses, pump, fluid), the EZ Power Steering electric power steering kit is installed on the existing steering column. For most Citroën models, no welding or cutting is required: the original column is retained or replaced by a complete column with exactly the same mounting points. However, the Traction Avant is an exception, as detailed below.

The benefits for a vintage Citroën are numerous:

• Immediate comfort: Steering effort is significantly reduced, especially when stationary and at low speeds — exactly where the 2CV, Traction, and Méhari are most demanding.
• Enhanced safety: Lighter steering allows for quicker and more precise reactions, a real advantage in urban traffic or evasive maneuvers.
• Total reversibility: The installation does not alter the aesthetics or original characteristics of the vehicle. You can always return to a 100% original configuration.
• Low weight: The complete kit weighs less than 5 kg, with no impact on the vehicle's balance.
• Adjustable assistance: The level of assistance can be adjusted according to your driving preferences, whether you prefer a more "sporty" steering feel or not.

Which Citroën models are covered?

Our adaptable electric power steering kits can be custom-made for the entire range of vintage Citroën cars, including:

• Citroën 2CV (all generations, including Charleston and Sahara)
• Citroën Traction Avant (7, 11, 15)
• Citroën Méhari
• Citroën C25 (van, flatbed, and camper van bases: Fiat Ducato / Peugeot J5 sharing the same platform)

The case of the Traction Avant requires an important technical precision: its original steering column is monobloc, meaning it is made in one piece, without any intermediate disassembly point. Unlike the 2CV or the Méhari, it is not possible to adapt a power-assisted column without intervention on the column itself: the column foot must be cut to allow the insertion of the electric assistance module, before being reconstructed with the appropriate reinforcements and fixings. This operation, carried out in a workshop, does not compromise the strength or safety of the assembly, but it must be anticipated and entrusted to experienced hands with this specific model.

The case of the C25 also deserves special attention: very few units left the factory with original power steering, and compatible hydraulic parts are now rare and expensive in the used market. The adaptable electric kit represents a simple, reliable, and much more accessible alternative than searching for a vintage power-assisted rack and pinion — a real relief for the many enthusiasts who drive vintage camper vans on this base.

Each column is studied according to the specific model, its original configuration, and your driving habits (daily use, club outings, historic rallies).

How is the installation carried out?

The installation of an electric power steering kit on a classic Citroën vehicle generally takes place in three steps:

1. Vehicle analysis: identification of the exact model, year, and configuration of the existing steering column.
2. Manufacturing or adaptation of the column: on most models, the original column is retained without major modification. However, on the Traction Avant, the monobloc column foot must be cut in a workshop to allow the insertion of the assistance module, then reconstructed before mounting.
3. Assembly and wiring: a complete kit (motor, computer, potentiometer, wiring harness) is provided with detailed instructions for assembly, which can be done in a workshop or by a knowledgeable amateur.

In case of an electrical failure, the system automatically switches to manual mode, without any loss of vehicle control — a crucial point for safety in vintage driving.

Electric or hydraulic power steering: which choice for a Citroën?

For the 2CV, Traction Avant, or C25, which for the vast majority never had power steering originally, the question does not arise in terms of restoring an existing system: electric power steering is the simplest solution to install, the most reliable over time, and the least maintenance-intensive — unlike a hydraulic system that would require searching, adapting, and maintaining entirely (pump, hoses, fluid).

Restore all the driving pleasure to your vintage Citroën

Whether you drive your 2CV daily, prepare your Traction Avant for an event, enjoy your Méhari on sunny days, or finally want to ease the maneuvers of your camper van based on the C25, an EZ Power Steering electric power steering kit can transform your driving experience without compromising your vehicle's authenticity.

Do you own a vintage Citroën or a camper van based on the C25 and want to learn more about the kit suitable for your model?