Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Old-Nail]

And by way of a celebration I've taken to the road in my Citroen 2cv - roof rolled back of course!

The Citroen hasn't been used at all for almost twelve months and during that time has sat patiently at the back of the driveway in all weathers awaiting my renewed interest.
Having taxed and insured her, just one turn of the key was all it took to start it again and take up where I left off last May.
I'll service the car tomorrow as a reward! In fact, the MOT is due again soon having covered only 60 miles since last time.

Mrs Nail and I then took a leisurely early evening drive through the country lanes to a local pub where we could sit outside and watch the passing traffic.



Interestingly the more expensive the car was that drove past us the greater the glower on the face of the occupants, the biggest smiles (and waves) were from the older vehicles!

[Scotty]

Fabulous!

I nearly bought a 2CV "Wave" a number of years ago - however, on the way to the dealership to sign the papers I stopped by a friends shop to chat as I was a bit early. She asked me what I was doing that day, so of course I told her about the Citroen ................... whereupon she dissolved into laughter commenting she could just see somebody my size (I was a city Fireman back then) attempting to extricate themselves out of that flimsy car!

I was so mortified I didn't buy the car.

If you're ever going to sell, keep me in mind ON.

[Old-Nail]

Scotty I too never liked these cars until a strange twist of fate brought us together.

I saw a near derelict trade-in round the back of a dealers that was destined for the scrapyard and enquired about it just as a project.

At that time I knew absolutely nothing about the cars, didn't even know the engine configuration etc I just thought of it as a challenge to tidy it up a little.
When the salesman took me round the back I saw how rough the car looked (as only these can!) and began to wonder if I should bother, the car had obviously been standing a month or two untouched.

He put in the key, and without climbing in the car turned it and the engine started up immediately! The car had been parked with it's nose to a fence and the bonnet had a large dent in it where kids had stood on it to get over the fence, the salesman lifted the bonnet and with a push 'popped' the dent back out!

After a little welding and an oil change, some body filler and brush painting I drove that little car down to France and toured the Normandy/Brittany area without the slightest trouble, the car served me well for three more years.

I warmed to the simplicity and reliability of the type, and as a practical classic they are excellent, FULL spares availability, 80mph, 55-60mpg, and if you remove the seats (which takes 5 mins max) you have a Van!

Since then I have never been without one, and although they may be a little quirky they are great fun to use and drive.

One final thing Scotty, I'm a 6ft 15 stone former Nightclub doorman and I fit the car comfortably, part of the design brief was that the driver should be able to wear a top hat while driving!

[Uncle Joe]

I could never, ever be accused of being a fan of french cars, but one thing that I can say is that 2CV's are a lot more comfortable than could be expected.

UJ

[Old-Nail]

They really are UJ, a real surprise when you first drive one!

My favourite thing is to drive carefully along a road with speed bumps on it, you wouldn't know they were there!

By the way UJ have you been polluting the atmosphere some more recently with all those 8mpg hydrocarbons?... the weathers been glorious over here - so do keep it up!

[Uncle Joe]

Hi Old-Nail,

Yes, I have been out polluting with my whaleboat, I'm probably the cause of this warm weather.....

[Rick]

I was reading an old mag last night about Renault 4s, similar in many ways to the 2CV - perhaps another candidate for an underrated car thread? are they any good? I've never been in one so don't know the answer?!?!??

R
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

[Uncle Joe]

By sheer coincidence, on of the magazines that I get over here has just done a buyers guide on the 4CV....I must read it and see what they say!

UJ

[Rick]

Ah now the 4CV, wasnt that the cute looking rear engined number?? I like the look of those, and the Juvaquatre estate cars & vans. I was referring originally to the R4 of the 60s and 70s, can't remember the last time I saw one of them

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

[Uncle Joe]

Oh that one....we call them 'Teachers Cars' over here, because they are the only people that seem to own them. i remember seeing one of those a few years ago with a Calf in the back, no no-one can say that tey weren't pracical!

Yes, the 4CV is the rear engined jobbie.

UJ

[Rick]

In the scrapyard photos I posted the other day, in the pile of old doors there were some for a 4CV - must be a hard thing to find in the UK, and perhaps even in France now

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

[Uncle Joe]

I suppose that they must be, though I dont really know.

There is a 4CV standing next to a 100E in a barn, not a 1000 yards away from me as I write.

UJ