Large diameter wheels, very narrow tires, front wheel drive, soft suspension, low power output, and light weight. This all leads to superb driving properies in snow, and off road.
And today wide tires as possible (therefore low surface pressure) lots of assistence and none understanding of driving physics, thats the way it goes. 4WD, Power, assistence, everything fine if accelerating, but if you cannot drive (and that includes braking) its needless. Same reason why 1/4 mile and oval is not so popular here in germany, because real life isn't 1/4 mile, or going round clockwise or counterclockwise, real life is left, right, acceleration, braking, and weather. By the way what do they at Indy 500 if rain, or thunderstorm comes up (changing for rain tires, or stopping the race?
I live in Stockholm. This November we got a really heavy surprise snow storm where it snowed for 48 hours straight, leaving about 16 inches of heavy wet snow on the streets. Lots of streets didn't get plowed for weeks. There were cars stuck and abandoned everywhere wich made plowing efforts really ineffective. Even large SUV's struggled and many people just worked from home for a week or so. No more than two days after this, I met an older gentleman who parked his 2cv outside the job site I was on. In the very middle of rhe city, in a state of complete traffic mayhem. I was impressed not just by the fact that it could run in all that snow and slush, but the sheer confidence of this guy to even attempt it. "It's a nice little car and it drives quite well" was his response to my praises.
@@Kent. LOL ! It's just like in France where almost everything is paralyzed when there is 5 mm of snow in Paris while French people in the countryside go on driving with 20 cm of snow !
En 1975 ma grand-mère m'a donné sa 2CV. Je suis allé partout en France avec cette voiture. Des cols élevés en montagne, des plages au bord de la mer, en forêt, dans la boue. Jamais une voiture ne m'a procuré autant de plaisir. Vent dans le dos en descente j'arrivais à 100km/h. Et parfois à cette vitesse, la capote d'un coup se détachait. Sur autoroute je me mettais derrière un camion pour bénéficier de l'appel d'air. Franchement que des moments de bonheur. Une fois j'ai eu un problème, en automne temps très humide, la voiture ne démarrait pas (tête de delco trop humide). Pas de problème, je la démarre avec la manivelle. Malheureusement il y a eu ce qu'on appelle un retour de manivelle et résultat un poignet cassé. Je l'ai gardé 8 ans et parfois je la regrette.
Only a French would be so selfish to write in his own language on this American persons youtube page. Seriously. Get over your ego. Same as I would write Finnish here. If you understood the video then you know English.
I remember this from the 80's when winter was still snowy in Belgium. This little bug could climb a snowy hill road with ease while much fancier cars were stuck at the bottom. Iconic.
It was originally intended as a combined tractor(!) and car for small French farmers and had a hook for a special plough and other farm-tools on the back (And only a single lamp in front for less costs)! Its extreme suspension-system is also for driving in a field, (without breaking the collected eggs)! And the first type Citroen "dampers" by the wheels, was also a very special and brilliant invention and absurdly well intended for soft off road driving! The French are still "Masters of Suspension" (My first Peugeot 306 was a "revelation" compared with my Hydrolastic Mini, my BMWs and my VWs!).
Unfortunately, the 2CV has become a very rare thing to see, at least here in Germany. But it always puts a smile on my face whenever I spot one. They are such a delight. It's actually one of the reasons, why I love going to France. Yes, the baguettes and seafood are awesome, but seeing the 2CV is really the highlight😂❤
Hi - they're not that common even in France now - I lived in Normandy for 10 years and saw perhaps 4 or 5. Had the same smile producing effect though 😁🥰
I love seeing your reactions to our classic French cars. We love them because they were part of our daily lives 20, 30, 40 years ago, they were everywhere since like ever! and some cars have a soul, and certainly the 2CV's and the DS.
It's true. I remember driving my 2CV (don't have it anymore, but did back then) on a winter day maybe 15 years ago. I was on a main road, two lanes in my direction, the right one was cleared and salted, the left one had maybe 15cm of snow. Some guy was doing only 50 or 60 km/h on the right lane, so I took the 2CV over to the snow-covered left lane, and overtook him. This was actually the very first time my 2CV was on the overtaking lane on this particluar stretch of the road at all. Btw, back when I had this car, there were realy only 2 types of snowproof tires available for the 2CV - the original Michelin 125 ones, and a very cheap variety of all season 135 tires from some unknown manufacturer. Everybody, myself included , went for the latter. The Michelin ones looked better, but they were insanely expensive (I believe 140 Euros per tire), and not even that good.
I've driven a 2CV to ski resort fairly high up in the mountains in the winter in snow covered Norway. The thing climbed like a champ even off the main roads.
Nice video! I had a Citroen Dyane (basically a 2CV in a different body) as my daily driver from 1990 to 2003. These are not fast cars by any means, but it was among the fastest vehicles in snowy conditions. I also used it often to go on winter hikes in the Alps, which meant driving on steep & windy mountain roads in deep snow.
Didn't think much of it till a drove one!!! OMG you can't imagine how fun and enjoyable experience it is. The one I drove was a special version called Charleston with two tone paint and was build around the mid 80s
My family friend had one when I was a teen.. No one mentions that in the middle of the middle back seat... Their was a bar under the seat cushion. Me and my brother used to fight over who was in the middle. Also I rember the woman who owned it couldn't park it one time, and the locals lifted it into the parking spot 😂
When my mother drove me to school in winter in one of these, the heater didn't start producing any heat until I had arrived. You felt very close to your surroundings :D
The 2CV doesn't really have a heater. The heating system of the 2CV consists of a tube directing the headwind, heated by the engine, into the inside of the car. There was a lever to open and close the airstream. Not even a radiator. Yes, it could take a long time for the 2CV inside to warm up. Especially if you didn't have the special winter radiator grill mounted and/or your 2CV only had a plastic roof (a fabric roof was also available, which did a much better job at insulating the inside).
@@arthur_p_dent The michelins still cost a fortune, my dad had to swap the tires on his 2CV and they costed him 125€ each tire plus mounting and balancing which was like 40 € for all 4 tires
@@arthur_p_dent Yes, we had no special radiator and the fabric roof, which was a nice feature in summer. There wasn't much insulation, so we usually stayed covered in winter.
@@r.chaves_2848 that's ridiculous. There should be alternative all-season tires that cost less than half, from some no name manufacturer. They are actually better and more durable than the Michelin ones. Only don't look as good.
My 1st ever car same colour pale blue . I went from a Suzuki GS400 to the 2CV as I started shift work and needed something safer for the winter. Loved it and would have another in a minute.
In Dutch these cars are called an ugly duck. The design team did got the task to design a car that can be used by a farmer to bring eggs milk or 2 sheeps to the market and can be maintained the same way a farmer does with the tractor
I had one of these, it's a manual choke. You could feel the engine work. The only problem with this car was it hase no blower for the windscreen. And after this one I had 2x a AX. I beleve for breaking he used a anchor. 😅 Greetings from the Netherlands.
The 2CV was designed before the war and marketed afterwards, its specifications stipulated that it should be able to transport its driver with a top hat, 50 kg of potatoes and a basket of eggs, and be able to cross a field without break just one egg !
When I was little, I would always shift the gears from the passenger seat while my father would use the clutch and drive. We had two or more 2CVs over the years. Greetings from South Germany.
The 2 CV was designed after WW 2, mostly having in mind farmers. Comfortable, safe,capable of taking several bags patatoes to the Market. Driving through country trails or regular roads. The gas mileage was fantastic, the suspension unbelievable. The model, featuring minor changes over more than 3 decades, was a success. A more "civilized" model, the Citroën Ami, was launched in the 70s. Basically, was the 2 CV, wearing a different suit. At the same time, in Europe and throughout the World, the 2 CV was still being sold. Featuring a full-length sun-roof, the 2CV and its sister, the Dianne, were multi-purpose funny cars to take to the beach, go to the mountains to enjoy the snow -- or getting serious, pursuing the daily professional routines day after day. Thank you for another great Video.
On September 1, 1939, 250 cars were already assembled at the Levallois-Perret factory. A few days earlier, on August 28, the Mines administration had given its approval, with a barely passable grade, for its marketing.
World War II, or World War II, was a global armed conflict that lasted from September 1, 1939 to September 2, 1945. This conflict roughly opposed the Allies (the United Kingdom, France, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), the United States and China) and the Axis (Nazi Germany, the Japanese Empire and the Italian Empire).
The 2CV is iconic in Europe there are many reunions of owners of this model, it is a summer car and similar to the Mehari and the latest Dyane all from Citroen.
Fun fact, Citroën helped Lindbergh find his way to land after crossing the Atlantic. He used the lights from the Eiffel tower as a guide, and back then the lights spelled out Citroën in large letters. They probably have proper winter tires. So, when are you getting one of your own?
@@daveamies5031 One Restoration object for sale here in Norway is about $2000, and it's a runner. Need a new top, new exhaust and there's some rust to deal with. Doesn't look half bad actually, in the pictures. Which is probably why it's now listed as sold... 'Finished' ones seem to be from $5K to $10K here. But there's a C7 Sport Traction, 1936 model, that seems to have been Olive Drab from the factory, and most likely been used by a military force during WWII. Just $6K or so. Plus shipping, of course. Also needs some restoration. Comes with a fake German WWII helmet and barb wire cutters...
Back in the sixties, I remember seeing a 2cv plowing through the snow up a mountain road, with two passengers sitting on the front fenders, clinging on the headlights, to put more weight on the front wheels, when everybody else was stranded on the side of the road, stuck in the snow… it was a classic trick when you had a 2cv !
the french VW beetle (constructed nearly same decade), cheap, functional, and low maintance cost! I drove 4 long time Ranault 4, technical system similar, but 2CV more prestigious!
Every winter I see people ditching their heavy newer wide tire cars in favor of 2CV, old Fiat Panda, Peugeot 205 and Renault R4 as soon as it snows. Nothing beats narrow tired light weight cars.
I had one 2CV in the long gone past. After a snowy night I had to get up a hill to go to my workplace. All the other vehicles were stranded at the foot of the hill while I was the only one able to climb the steep snowy slope. That was hilarious as I was with a very modest car compared to all the much more powerful cars stranded at the bottom.
My first car was the Renault R4 which was the counterpart to 2CV . As the the 2CV superior to lot of other cars in winter conditions, easy to repair and to afford. Loved it. 💔
if you like Citroen, you have to see a Citroen SM,, the quee of french road at the end of 70's. A maserati engine V6, and one of the most beautiful car of history.
I had a 2cv6 in the 80's. Can vouch how superb it was to drive in the snow. On one occasion was approaching a long steep road after a heavy snowfall in the Scottish Highlands. 2cv6 was sailing through it nae bother but then hit a queue of traffic being held back by cops as cars coming down the hill were sliding from one side of the road to the other and cars trying to ascend the hill couldn't get any traction. After 10 minutes or so of being held up, I thought 'bugger this', pulled out of the queue of waiting cars, drove round the two police cars -and the coppers trying to direct the flow of traffic - and drove the 2cv6 effortlessly up the steep snow-covered road, whilst dodging the more expensive cars coming in the opposite direction that were sliding all over the place! Fantastic car and a fun one to drive!!!
Its engine could maybe be seen as very simple, but it's thoroughly engineered. One might call it a paraphrase of a 1930:s BMW motorcycle engine. Such an engine was picked into pieces analysed an re-engineered. They were able to achieve tolerances so fine that they could reduce many gaskets. With lost spark ignition on a 360:s twin no distributor is required. Skipping the oil thermostat made the engine more reliable as thermostat valves could easily jam, leading the oil to overheat. It also had negative crankcase ventilation so in case of crankcase leaks air be sucked in instead of oil leaking out.
My mate has one and it's done that many miles its milage clock has reset itself back to zero and started all over again. Say what you like about these cars but they have less to go wrong and just keep going and going. He does mountain rescue as well so you can imagine the terrain/roads he takes it on. Look after it and it will look after you 👍 Good old Betsy has taken us all over the place
When France was occupied by the Germans in 1940, Citroen was forced to produce vehicles for the Nazis. They chose to move the fill line on their oil dipsticks lower, causing the trucks to seize under stress from low oil.
I used to live near a military training ground and learned that when you put the 2CV in first or second gear and let the engine run at about 2500 rpm you never will be stuck at a military training ground where normally tank and other heavy equipment practice.
Manual choke. Driving a 2CV in snow is especially satisfying if you pass all other cars that got stuck. No other 2WD can beat a 2CV. Reasons: suspension without lateral displacement of wheels at bumps, veeery narrow tires.
Back in the 70’s I had a special edition 2CV Charleston in maroon and black, it was the first car I bought brand new, and possibly my all time favourite car, I wish I still had it! Though my daughter now confessed that she was embarrassed to be seen in it, and if we passed any of her friends in the street, she said she would hide her face!
Notre icône avec aussi la 4L de Renault un peu après! je les vois toujours rouler partout en ville comme à la campagne, il en reste encore et c'est COOL! Merci et bonne journée en Amérique!
l'avantage de ces anciennes voitures (2CV, Renault4) c'est la finesse des pneus, plus le pneu est fin, plus il y a de motricité sur ce type d'environnement. Il y avait une vidéo où un SUV n'arrivait pas à grimper une cote enneigé et une Renault 4 grimpe facilement à coté. ua-cam.com/video/kdMsybzIZnw/v-deo.html
@@kimjensen2743 yes Don't know Just called that here. It's drum breakes.. well at least in the old version. While they may indeed be.quite suffient. It's still drum breakes
@@matsv201 and drum brakes requires less pressure to work. Besides the smallest of the front drumbrakes used were 200mmx35 , which were quite large for the car's performance. The 220mm were even better.
I'm a bit late here... but did you know this has an engine that likes a bit of high revs... it's a HEMI. The unusual gear pattern is actually a regular three-gear box pattern with an overdrive fourth gear. Many cars before, and also after the war, had three gears - first gear was left-backwards. Reverse was where first gear is on all four gear boxes. Then the overdrive was directly from third gear without passing through neutral.. however that was changed on later models. I've had two 2CV's and both were my everyday cars for many years and I came to appreciate their unique properties and especially their road holding. When warm these engines can produce enough power to overcome the air resistance and it was possible to cruise at between 110 and 115 km/h on the speedometer, enough not to be a nuisance on the Swedish motorways. Driving Citroëns for more than 50 years now. Love your videos! Oh.. I forgot... regarding the gear pattern - the Renault 4CV, in which I drove and passed my drivers license test, had three gears with the same pattern but without the overdrive/fourth gear.
I drove my new Charleston across Europe, UK, Ireland, Canada and USA for 15 months in 1982/83. What a hoot. First day in Halifax Nova Scotia I was pulled up for speeding in a Capri hire car waiting for my 2CV to arrive on the ship. Showed the photo of my 2CV saying "I am not used to all this power." Instead of booking me I got invited home for Clam Chowder dinner and stayed the night in the guest room. Ah the charms of a 2CV....
Manual choke. I lived, for a while, on the edge of the moors above Huddersfield in West Yorkshire UK. My house was at the bottom of a very steep hill, but my 2CV made it up that hill every time, even in conditions that my neighbour's 4X4 failed in. It is possible to do a hill start in second (or even third) gear in a 2CV which is a useful trait in slippery conditions. It didn't ALWAYS start first time in very cold weather, so I would fill a couple of hot water bottles and put then in the engine compartment. Then I would go back in the house, have a cup of tea and by the time I had finished, I could take the HWBs out and the car started perfectly afterwards. It's difficult the skid in a 2CV and braking on snow is surprisingly safe. Also, the engine braking on a 2CV is incredibly effective.
Dont't forget the importance of good tyres! Tyres can be the difference between getting stuck on an even road and climbing up hill past even 4wd SUVs. I had a SAAB 900 several years ago; another car with a stellar reputation on snow, but when I first got it, the tyres were old and hard, and I got stuck easily. After replacing them with high quality snow tyres, it was virtually a snow mobile.
one of my relatives had the infamous 2cv sahara. less than 1000 units built. essentially, the sahara was 2 half 2cvs bolted together creating a 4x4 2cv with 2 engines, each driving 2 wheels. EDIT: so yes, there was an insane 4x4 version of the 2cv.
One of the most enjoyable scenes is seeing hummers and other offroaders stuck in the mud at the Dakar, and the Citroen 2cv 4x4 just crawling around them like it's just another day at the office.
Firstly front wheel drive with a very light body so it floats over rather than plowing through the snow. But it has very thin tyres that cut down into the snow and give lots of relative grip. Plus the low powered engine i doubt you could spin the wheels if you tried ! If you look at rally car snow tyres theyre thin too. The 2CV will eat something like a BMW 3 Series alive in these conditions.
I drove the 2CV (in Germany she is called "Ente" (Dug)) for 6 years. I love this car! Because it is simple built, you can repair a lot yourself. With the 2CV you do not drive fast from A to B, it is always a nostalgic journey!
2CV was my first car when I started driving in early 80's. My model even had a manual crank to start it by hand. Had a funny incident with that. Battery was drained some day, and colleagues started laughing at me. I simply ignored them, put out the crank, started my car and left them stand there without a word. Their jaws dropped...
The most fun cars I ever had were the citroen 2CV6, Germans call it `the duck`, and the Renault R4. You should look it up. It´s also a small great car, especially in winter.
These cars are hilarious fun! My Aunt had one and it always put a grin on my face when I got in it. It's they way these thing are built that makes them brilliant! They are light, front wheel drive, very skinny tyres and definitely underpowered. The skinny wheels slice through the snow giving good grip and the engine is mounted as far forward as it can be to keep the weight over the drive wheels. This has probably already been mentioned but they were designed to drive across a ploughed field without breaking a basket full of eggs on the passenger seat, so snow is a no brainer for this little car.
Interesting fact : when the 2CV was created, the diretor and owner of Citroën (I guess the CEO in modern speech) was personnally testing the car. And one of his requirement was that the car would start on the first cranck (before they added a battery to the 2CV... Yes, that was in 1936) by -20C (-4F) and that it should be abl eto keep running up to -40 (C/F). You can see this 2CV has a plastic shield on the grille, it's to keep heat, else it would be cooled too much. AFAIK the shifter pattern is a rather standard pattern for pre/post-war France. I think this shift pattern was used by at least Citroën and Renault up to the mid-50's. The 2CV was first conceived in 1935. released in 1948 and only had minor evolutions (mostly bigger engines. from 375 cc to 452cc then 602cc) up to the end of production until 1990.
We used to nick-name these the "upturned pram" as they resembled and older version of a Silvercross pram. I used to work in a garage in the early 80's and both the 2CV and the morris minor 1000, The "Moggy" as we called them, had this uncanny ability to just drive through snow where most other cars would get stuck. I even lost a bet to one thinking they would be rubbish in the snow.
You have to remember, it has very low power 33bhp from a monster (LOL) 602cc, so no wheel spin and the weight is 600 kg (1,323 lb). doesn't take much stopping and with tyres 145 on 14-inch rims, it will cut through the snow and slush. Was designed in Before WWII. Famously, it was designed with very specific requirements, including being able to carry four people and 50kg of goods at 30mph, across muddy and unpaved roads if necessary. In fact, it was suggested at the prototype stage that the 2CV should be able to carry a basket of eggs across a ploughed field.
1of my old 4men used 2tell us how ppl looked (as he drove his white with red arches n retractable roof n flip down windows) with admiration, while we thought 'yeah course'.😂 he loved his Citroën Dolly
As I recale the design profile for the Citreon was to be able to carry a barrel of apples or a pig across a ploughed fielfd, it was also the insparation for a "Car for Africa." three models of plywood body offered,. You may also want to check out the Relient 3 wheelers for chuffs and giggles! I drove an early version at a 100 mph and it was the most fun I ever had with my trousers on!
The choke is operated manually. By the way, at the beginning of the video you can see that the radiator grille has been covered with a plastic cover. This was latched in winter to reduce cold drafts.
Une 2CV aux états unis loool , elle s'est perdu , son petit nom en France c'est une " Deudeuche " , on en vois encore des fois en France , elles deviennent rare. Chez les allemands la voiture du peuple c'était la coccinelle ( bettle ) et nous c'etait la Citroen 2CV increvable comme voiture , elle a servis en ville aussi bien qu'as la campagne et même en Afrique :)
I had a couple of Citroen Dyane's in the late 70s early 80s (same chassis, wheels and engine as the 2CV, just different bodywork) and they handled all weather conditions exceptionally well. With snow and slush, the narrow tyres cut right down through the soft stuff, giving insane amounts of grip for the conditions. I only once had the car slide on an icy road, and that was one with a ridiculous amount of camber and on a hill, and the surface was pretty much just a single sheet of ice. As for the gear shift, most changes in town are between 2nd and 3rd, which on the 2CV and Dyane is a straight push/pull - no having to do a zig-zag move like on a H gate, so as a result changes were very easy and also very quick. You only ever had to push against the spring to get to 1st, 4th or reverse (which had an extra strong spring making it almost impossible to select reverse by accident). Of all the cars I've had, it was by far the most fun to drive.
The 2cv4 still had adjustable friction shock absorbers!!! and you could adjust the height of the duck via the push rods of the pans. Today, well-preserved ducks are extremely expensive and not affordable for me, I miss them very much😍. On the 2cv4, there was a strap on the rear roof strut to secure the rolled-up roof from the factory
When I was younger I chose a 2CV to do the Mongol rally in, it did not let us down. To give you some context, This is the greatest motoring adventure on the planet. This is 10,000 miles of chaos across mountain, deserts and steppe on roads ranging from bad to not-a-road, There’s no backup. There’s no set route. There’s no guarantee you’ll make it to the end. Did it in 2007 London to Ulan-Ude, Russia. via Mongolia, there are only three rules; Rally vehicles have a 1200cc engine limit, but ideally under 1000cc Rally teams are unsupported Rally teams need to raise at least £500 for charity.
"wouldn't of thought it could go off road" These cars were developed by citroen in the 1950's to carry a farmers eggs to market ACROSS ploughed fields in France. Hence the suspension set up. They are absolutely unbeatable in snow.
My ex-girlfriend had such a 2CV6, with a soft top and turret gearshift, it was a pleasure to drive, I already knew the gearshift, the Renault 4 also had a turret gearshift ... setting the turn signals was also very funny because they didn't jump back , not like you know from today's cars, if you blinked on the left and then forgot to set it back to neutral, it always blinked on the left, regardless of whether you drove to the left, right or straight ahead .... Starting in winter when it was cold wasn't so great because the engine needed a while to warm up and run smoothly, but in summer it was just great, the roll-top roof to the rear and enjoying the summer while driving...
What you also would like is a Panhard Dyna Z. They were French to, not as archaic as a 2CV but just as interesting engineering wise. Lightweight with a compact engine but excellent design. And you might like the Fiat Panda as well. The 4x4 is getting quite hyped these days and are collectibles going for crazy prices but the Panda in itself is to me together with the 2cv one of the best car designs.
It's a "recent " one, the first models had a hole in the front that allowed to use a crank in case it didn't worked because it's too cold or it hadn't been used for a long time. The starter consumes a lot of electricity. And the batteries (6 volt 50 A/h battery and ignition coil) of the 2CV were weak. A few weeks ago i saw a 1954 model in a classic car show, the owner had to leave. That's how he started the engine. while working on the prototypes in the 1930's, they wanted Duralinox ( type of aluminum alloys with added manganese, magnesium or magnesium-silicon, characterized by great corrosion resistance). Sadly after the war,France was rebuilding itself, it was deemed too expensive and unsuitable for mass production, duralinox is abandoned for sheet metal, so much more classic and ultimately far less expensive.
First opposite reverse for manoeuvres and 2nd gear opposite third for town driving and dog leg fourth for out on the open road . It’s so simple to understand .
Although not a chauvinist, I'm quite happy that you love our good old 2cv, it's a "cult car" here in France. And it has some kind of cuteness, beside being an old and "cheap" car.
Hello from France! little info, if you look on the cap you will see that there is a gray plastic protection for winter that protects against mud and snow on the front! if not thank you for interré that you bring to the world! top !
more importantly, this piece of plastic helps the engine warm up faster, as well as the interior. A 2CV will only warm up very slowly in winter and this little appliance can make a huge difference when it is cold. Of course, you will need to remove it in summer or the aircooling of the 2CV's aircooling engine won't work properly in the heat and you may lose a lot of power - of which the car doesn't have a whole lot to begin with.
Old cars did not have automatic choke and a handle was pulled which, using a steel cable, limited the air supply and thus increased the supply of gasoline . Then drove it like that for a kilometer to warm up the engine faster and turn it off while driving . There was only one type of tire, called radial, and pulsed braking was used instead of ABS . Winters in Europe were real and there was nothing unusual if it was -30 degrees C (-22.0 °F) in the morning .
I remember these cars coming with a crank... you can see the hole for the crank in the front bumper I think. And no, fully manual choke. Wonder if he has winter tyres; I got them and they really make a big difference
I love the 2CV. I had one years ago, and I also had the "Dyane" version (2CV derivative). If only the build and component quality of the later 2CV's had been better, I think they would have sold far more of them. There is now one or two companies making high quality "2CV's" with electric power trains and Galvanised Chassis, called the "2cEv". They still have the charm and ride quality of the original design, but are now run of Batteries, together with a long lasting Chassis / body combination.
There's also a 4x4 version of the 2CV called Sahara, and basically it have 2 engines, one on the front and one on the back, and they power the relative wheels connected to their relative gear boxes: front engine, front gear box, front wheels, and so rear engine, rear gearbox, rear wheels!
Large diameter wheels, very narrow tires, front wheel drive, soft suspension, low power output, and light weight. This all leads to superb driving properies in snow, and off road.
yeah for sure. the secret to snow driving are Narrow tires and if possible studs
Fantastic on snow not so good on ice, they just slide. grass verge or a bit of rough ground is the only escape.
Exactly what I was going to say 😂
And today wide tires as possible (therefore low surface pressure) lots of assistence and none understanding of driving physics, thats the way it goes. 4WD, Power, assistence, everything fine if accelerating, but if you cannot drive (and that includes braking) its needless.
Same reason why 1/4 mile and oval is not so popular here in germany, because real life isn't 1/4 mile, or going round clockwise or counterclockwise, real life is left, right, acceleration, braking, and weather. By the way what do they at Indy 500 if rain, or thunderstorm comes up (changing for rain tires, or stopping the race?
@@tomsun3159 Ils sont fous ces Français!😛😋
I live in Stockholm. This November we got a really heavy surprise snow storm where it snowed for 48 hours straight, leaving about 16 inches of heavy wet snow on the streets.
Lots of streets didn't get plowed for weeks. There were cars stuck and abandoned everywhere wich made plowing efforts really ineffective. Even large SUV's struggled and many people just worked from home for a week or so.
No more than two days after this, I met an older gentleman who parked his 2cv outside the job site I was on. In the very middle of rhe city, in a state of complete traffic mayhem. I was impressed not just by the fact that it could run in all that snow and slush, but the sheer confidence of this guy to even attempt it.
"It's a nice little car and it drives quite well" was his response to my praises.
That's you in Stockholm... Everywhere else in Sweden we can handle that shit... LOL!!!!
@@Kent.
LOL ! It's just like in France where almost everything is paralyzed when there is 5 mm of snow in Paris while French people in the countryside go on driving with 20 cm of snow !
@@vzmax City people🤣
@@Kent. Half-people (or even less), you should say ! 😊
The same in Prague. :-D
En 1975 ma grand-mère m'a donné sa 2CV. Je suis allé partout en France avec cette voiture. Des cols élevés en montagne, des plages au bord de la mer, en forêt, dans la boue. Jamais une voiture ne m'a procuré autant de plaisir. Vent dans le dos en descente j'arrivais à 100km/h. Et parfois à cette vitesse, la capote d'un coup se détachait. Sur autoroute je me mettais derrière un camion pour bénéficier de l'appel d'air. Franchement que des moments de bonheur. Une fois j'ai eu un problème, en automne temps très humide, la voiture ne démarrait pas (tête de delco trop humide). Pas de problème, je la démarre avec la manivelle. Malheureusement il y a eu ce qu'on appelle un retour de manivelle et résultat un poignet cassé. Je l'ai gardé 8 ans et parfois je la regrette.
Only a French would be so selfish to write in his own language on this American persons youtube page. Seriously. Get over your ego. Same as I would write Finnish here. If you understood the video then you know English.
I remember this from the 80's when winter was still snowy in Belgium. This little bug could climb a snowy hill road with ease while much fancier cars were stuck at the bottom. Iconic.
It was originally intended as a combined tractor(!) and car for small French farmers and had a hook for a special plough and other farm-tools on the back (And only a single lamp in front for less costs)! Its extreme suspension-system is also for driving in a field, (without breaking the collected eggs)!
And the first type Citroen "dampers" by the wheels, was also a very special and brilliant invention and absurdly well intended for soft off road driving! The French are still "Masters of Suspension" (My first Peugeot 306 was a "revelation" compared with my Hydrolastic Mini, my BMWs and my VWs!).
Unfortunately, the 2CV has become a very rare thing to see, at least here in Germany. But it always puts a smile on my face whenever I spot one. They are such a delight. It's actually one of the reasons, why I love going to France. Yes, the baguettes and seafood are awesome, but seeing the 2CV is really the highlight😂❤
Hi - they're not that common even in France now - I lived in Normandy for 10 years and saw perhaps 4 or 5. Had the same smile producing effect though 😁🥰
@@jiggely_spears j'habite vers Paris j'en vois assez régulièrement même si c'est pas tout les jours les DS par contre se font vraiment rare
Actually, even as a German, my heart beats for the 2CV. ^^ The Beetle is fine, but the Duck (as we call it) is just the real deal!
Same!
Lelijke eend worden ze genoemd in Nederland
lol here in Belgium we call it a goat.
@@Robalogot 😄
I feel just the other way round: The 2CV is nice, but I don't like its wobbliness. The Beetle is the minimal "real" car.
A 2cv can do basically anything. Give it snow. Harsh cold. Extrem heat. It will just go, go and go. Possibly the most reliable car ever made.
I love seeing your reactions to our classic French cars.
We love them because they were part of our daily lives 20, 30, 40 years ago, they were everywhere since like ever!
and some cars have a soul, and certainly the 2CV's and the DS.
It's true.
I remember driving my 2CV (don't have it anymore, but did back then) on a winter day maybe 15 years ago. I was on a main road, two lanes in my direction, the right one was cleared and salted, the left one had maybe 15cm of snow. Some guy was doing only 50 or 60 km/h on the right lane, so I took the 2CV over to the snow-covered left lane, and overtook him.
This was actually the very first time my 2CV was on the overtaking lane on this particluar stretch of the road at all.
Btw, back when I had this car, there were realy only 2 types of snowproof tires available for the 2CV - the original Michelin 125 ones, and a very cheap variety of all season 135 tires from some unknown manufacturer. Everybody, myself included , went for the latter. The Michelin ones looked better, but they were insanely expensive (I believe 140 Euros per tire), and not even that good.
I can relate to your story. Normally you hadn't much chance overtaking other cars at the highway while driving a 2CV.
I've driven a 2CV to ski resort fairly high up in the mountains in the winter in snow covered Norway. The thing climbed like a champ even off the main roads.
Nice video!
I had a Citroen Dyane (basically a 2CV in a different body) as my daily driver from 1990 to 2003. These are not fast cars by any means, but it was among the fastest vehicles in snowy conditions.
I also used it often to go on winter hikes in the Alps, which meant driving on steep & windy mountain roads in deep snow.
See the grille? It's a "scarf" the so small holes are for not "overcool" the aircooled engine
Didn't think much of it till a drove one!!! OMG you can't imagine how fun and enjoyable experience it is. The one I drove was a special version called Charleston with two tone paint and was build around the mid 80s
Saw one of those a couple of weeks ago. For a 2cv, its a stunner alright!
the Charleston, I find the colors super classy. She is magnificent.
These narrow tires we call asphalt cutter! 😜No problem with a little bit of snow...
My family friend had one when I was a teen.. No one mentions that in the middle of the middle back seat... Their was a bar under the seat cushion. Me and my brother used to fight over who was in the middle.
Also I rember the woman who owned it couldn't park it one time, and the locals lifted it into the parking spot 😂
When my mother drove me to school in winter in one of these, the heater didn't start producing any heat until I had arrived. You felt very close to your surroundings :D
The 2CV doesn't really have a heater. The heating system of the 2CV consists of a tube directing the headwind, heated by the engine, into the inside of the car. There was a lever to open and close the airstream. Not even a radiator.
Yes, it could take a long time for the 2CV inside to warm up. Especially if you didn't have the special winter radiator grill mounted and/or your 2CV only had a plastic roof (a fabric roof was also available, which did a much better job at insulating the inside).
@@arthur_p_dent The michelins still cost a fortune, my dad had to swap the tires on his 2CV and they costed him 125€ each tire plus mounting and balancing which was like 40 € for all 4 tires
@@arthur_p_dent Yes, we had no special radiator and the fabric roof, which was a nice feature in summer. There wasn't much insulation, so we usually stayed covered in winter.
@@r.chaves_2848 that's ridiculous. There should be alternative all-season tires that cost less than half, from some no name manufacturer. They are actually better and more durable than the Michelin ones. Only don't look as good.
@@arthur_p_dentMichellin are very good tyres, but expensive as hell !
My 1st ever car same colour pale blue . I went from a Suzuki GS400 to the 2CV as I started shift work and needed something safer for the winter. Loved it and would have another in a minute.
In Dutch these cars are called an ugly duck. The design team did got the task to design a car that can be used by a farmer to bring eggs milk or 2 sheeps to the market and can be maintained the same way a farmer does with the tractor
I had one of these, it's a manual choke. You could feel the engine work. The only problem with this car was it hase no blower for the windscreen. And after this one I had 2x a AX. I beleve for breaking he used a anchor. 😅 Greetings from the Netherlands.
That's why we have the wiping sponge and squeegee on hand. My late grandfather told me to open the window a crack as to "dehumidify" the air.
In France they call it "la Reine de la voiture". Translated: the Queen of cars.
Slim tires and light weight was always good in snow, same for the VW Beatle 👍🏻
And winter Tire
Yes indeed, when the snow turned up Dad used to put the skinny's on the Mk1 Cortina and it would go anywhere.
Take a close look at WRC rally cars.Use narrow in snow.Cuts through snow to hard pack underneath.Wider tyres "float" on top of the snow.
🏴☠
The 2CV was designed before the war and marketed afterwards, its specifications stipulated that it should be able to transport its driver with a top hat, 50 kg of potatoes and a basket of eggs, and be able to cross a field without break just one egg !
When I was little, I would always shift the gears from the passenger seat while my father would use the clutch and drive.
We had two or more 2CVs over the years.
Greetings from South Germany.
Same with me and my father in his cars!
The 2 CV was designed after WW 2, mostly having in mind farmers.
Comfortable, safe,capable of taking several bags patatoes to the Market.
Driving through country trails or regular roads.
The gas mileage was fantastic, the suspension unbelievable.
The model, featuring minor changes over more than 3 decades, was a success.
A more "civilized" model, the Citroën Ami, was launched in the 70s.
Basically, was the 2 CV, wearing a different suit.
At the same time, in Europe and throughout the World, the 2 CV was still being sold.
Featuring a full-length sun-roof, the 2CV and its sister, the Dianne, were multi-purpose funny cars to take to the beach, go to the mountains to enjoy the snow -- or getting serious, pursuing the daily professional routines day after day.
Thank you for another great Video.
false, the first 2CVs were developed before the Second World War, the cars were hidden from the Nazis, I think in an attic!
On September 1, 1939, 250 cars were already assembled at the Levallois-Perret factory. A few days earlier, on August 28, the Mines administration had given its approval, with a barely passable grade, for its marketing.
World War II, or World War II, was a global armed conflict that lasted from September 1, 1939 to September 2, 1945. This conflict roughly opposed the Allies (the United Kingdom, France, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), the United States and China) and the Axis (Nazi Germany, the Japanese Empire and the Italian Empire).
The 2CV is iconic in Europe there are many reunions of owners of this model, it is a summer car and similar to the Mehari and the latest Dyane all from Citroen.
Fun fact, Citroën helped Lindbergh find his way to land after crossing the Atlantic. He used the lights from the Eiffel tower as a guide, and back then the lights spelled out Citroën in large letters.
They probably have proper winter tires.
So, when are you getting one of your own?
Have you seen the prices of a 2CV lately, they are a collectors car and prices reflect that now.
@@daveamies5031 It`s amazing because years ago you could get one for next to nothing.
@@daveamies5031 One Restoration object for sale here in Norway is about $2000, and it's a runner. Need a new top, new exhaust and there's some rust to deal with. Doesn't look half bad actually, in the pictures. Which is probably why it's now listed as sold...
'Finished' ones seem to be from $5K to $10K here.
But there's a C7 Sport Traction, 1936 model, that seems to have been Olive Drab from the factory, and most likely been used by a military force during WWII. Just $6K or so. Plus shipping, of course. Also needs some restoration. Comes with a fake German WWII helmet and barb wire cutters...
@@norwegiangadgetman Might be worth importing one from Europe then, certainly a lot more than that last time I looked around Oz.
How can anyone get guided on the Atlantic by the lights of the Eiffel tower? 🤔
L inoubliable bruit de la dèche 😂😍 The sound of my kids years in France! ❤
Back in the sixties, I remember seeing a 2cv plowing through the snow up a mountain road, with two passengers sitting on the front fenders, clinging on the headlights, to put more weight on the front wheels, when everybody else was stranded on the side of the road, stuck in the snow… it was a classic trick when you had a 2cv !
not just at a 2CV ... Fiat Uno same thing 🙂
Nice comments, buddy and so true! I own myself a 2cv, but don't drive in snow anymore. But I used to and with winter tyres it is unstopable!
Citroëns have always been renowned for their incredible handling, especially on slippery ground 🤩👍
2cv the best car ever built !
the french VW beetle (constructed nearly same decade), cheap, functional, and low maintance cost! I drove 4 long time Ranault 4, technical system similar, but 2CV more prestigious!
the 2CV has not a single automatic. everything is manual 😆
You even get a starting crank with the older models
Every winter I see people ditching their heavy newer wide tire cars in favor of 2CV, old Fiat Panda, Peugeot 205 and Renault R4 as soon as it snows. Nothing beats narrow tired light weight cars.
Small tyres, that's all there is to it. Small tyres gets your everywhere when it snows
I had one 2CV in the long gone past.
After a snowy night I had to get up a hill to go to my workplace. All the other vehicles were stranded at the foot of the hill while I was the only one able to climb the steep snowy slope.
That was hilarious as I was with a very modest car compared to all the much more powerful cars stranded at the bottom.
My first car was the Renault R4 which was the counterpart to 2CV . As the the 2CV superior to lot of other cars in winter conditions, easy to repair and to afford. Loved it. 💔
They will rust when driving though salted roads. Mine is completely galvonised so I don't have to worry about that. It makes the car heavier though.
if you like Citroen, you have to see a Citroen SM,, the quee of french road at the end of 70's. A maserati engine V6, and one of the most beautiful car of history.
It's so light and so slow that you can just throw it aound with your foot right down and it dances over the terrain lol
They were very cool little cars, and they definitively performed way better than you would think.
I had a 2cv6 in the 80's. Can vouch how superb it was to drive in the snow. On one occasion was approaching a long steep road after a heavy snowfall in the Scottish Highlands. 2cv6 was sailing through it nae bother but then hit a queue of traffic being held back by cops as cars coming down the hill were sliding from one side of the road to the other and cars trying to ascend the hill couldn't get any traction. After 10 minutes or so of being held up, I thought 'bugger this', pulled out of the queue of waiting cars, drove round the two police cars -and the coppers trying to direct the flow of traffic - and drove the 2cv6 effortlessly up the steep snow-covered road, whilst dodging the more expensive cars coming in the opposite direction that were sliding all over the place! Fantastic car and a fun one to drive!!!
My cousin used to have one of these. He drove all the way from Italy, through the Alps( in the winter ) to the Netherlands. Such a fun car 😅
I had a black and tan 2CV when I was a student. 30 years later I still miss it.
I really do understand you. When you have a underdog car like this, you can easily feel what really fun in life could be about. Citroen masterpiece!
Its engine could maybe be seen as very simple, but it's thoroughly engineered. One might call it a paraphrase of a 1930:s BMW motorcycle engine. Such an engine was picked into pieces analysed an re-engineered. They were able to achieve tolerances so fine that they could reduce many gaskets. With lost spark ignition on a 360:s twin no distributor is required. Skipping the oil thermostat made the engine more reliable as thermostat valves could easily jam, leading the oil to overheat. It also had negative crankcase ventilation so in case of crankcase leaks air be sucked in instead of oil leaking out.
My mate has one and it's done that many miles its milage clock has reset itself back to zero and started all over again. Say what you like about these cars but they have less to go wrong and just keep going and going. He does mountain rescue as well so you can imagine the terrain/roads he takes it on. Look after it and it will look after you 👍
Good old Betsy has taken us all over the place
When France was occupied by the Germans in 1940, Citroen was forced to produce vehicles for the Nazis. They chose to move the fill line on their oil dipsticks lower, causing the trucks to seize under stress from low oil.
I used to live near a military training ground and learned that when you put the 2CV in first or second gear and let the engine run at about 2500 rpm you never will be stuck at a military training ground where normally tank and other heavy equipment practice.
Manual choke , and since it's air cooled in winter you have to use that plastic protection in the front grid to keep the engine warm.
Manual choke.
Driving a 2CV in snow is especially satisfying if you pass all other cars that got stuck. No other 2WD can beat a 2CV. Reasons: suspension without lateral displacement of wheels at bumps, veeery narrow tires.
Back in the 70’s I had a special edition 2CV Charleston in maroon and black, it was the first car I bought brand new, and possibly my all time favourite car, I wish I still had it! Though my daughter now confessed that she was embarrassed to be seen in it, and if we passed any of her friends in the street, she said she would hide her face!
Notre icône avec aussi la 4L de Renault un peu après! je les vois toujours rouler partout en ville comme à la campagne, il en reste encore et c'est COOL! Merci et bonne journée en Amérique!
Have you seen the umbrella like gear 'stick'? And of courses manual choke.
l'avantage de ces anciennes voitures (2CV, Renault4) c'est la finesse des pneus, plus le pneu est fin, plus il y a de motricité sur ce type d'environnement. Il y avait une vidéo où un SUV n'arrivait pas à grimper une cote enneigé et une Renault 4 grimpe facilement à coté. ua-cam.com/video/kdMsybzIZnw/v-deo.html
the 2CV also brakes well because it's very, very light... it's like driving a tin box on wheels
What is really grate with the cv2 is that the breakes are so poor that the tires always have grip
Swedish? For what ever reason Swedes always call them cv2. Brakes are actually fine, and overdimensioned.
@@kimjensen2743 yes
Don't know
Just called that here.
It's drum breakes.. well at least in the old version. While they may indeed be.quite suffient. It's still drum breakes
@@matsv201 and drum brakes requires less pressure to work. Besides the smallest of the front drumbrakes used were 200mmx35 , which were quite large for the car's performance. The 220mm were even better.
Mine had diskbrakes up front. No problems! 81 model
@@jankleven7674 Well.. with late models quite a lot of the original design become... lets say, less optmized.
And you only need 2 wrenchs to distmantle all the car ( 11 and 13 mm by mémory ) .Good job .from France.
I'm a bit late here... but did you know this has an engine that likes a bit of high revs... it's a HEMI. The unusual gear pattern is actually a regular three-gear box pattern with an overdrive fourth gear. Many cars before, and also after the war, had three gears - first gear was left-backwards. Reverse was where first gear is on all four gear boxes. Then the overdrive was directly from third gear without passing through neutral.. however that was changed on later models. I've had two 2CV's and both were my everyday cars for many years and I came to appreciate their unique properties and especially their road holding. When warm these engines can produce enough power to overcome the air resistance and it was possible to cruise at between 110 and 115 km/h on the speedometer, enough not to be a nuisance on the Swedish motorways. Driving Citroëns for more than 50 years now. Love your videos!
Oh.. I forgot... regarding the gear pattern - the Renault 4CV, in which I drove and passed my drivers license test, had three gears with the same pattern but without the overdrive/fourth gear.
the 2CV does not need ABS, their brakes operate on the driveshafts which have to be replaced when the brakes wear out.
I drove my new Charleston across Europe, UK, Ireland, Canada and USA for 15 months in 1982/83.
What a hoot.
First day in Halifax Nova Scotia I was pulled up for speeding in a Capri hire car waiting for my 2CV to arrive on the ship.
Showed the photo of my 2CV saying "I am not used to all this power."
Instead of booking me I got invited home for Clam Chowder dinner and stayed the night in the guest room. Ah the charms of a 2CV....
I was lucky enough to own 3 2CVs. I would have another in a heartbeat. Best car i ever had
Manual choke. I lived, for a while, on the edge of the moors above Huddersfield in West Yorkshire UK. My house was at the bottom of a very steep hill, but my 2CV made it up that hill every time, even in conditions that my neighbour's 4X4 failed in. It is possible to do a hill start in second (or even third) gear in a 2CV which is a useful trait in slippery conditions.
It didn't ALWAYS start first time in very cold weather, so I would fill a couple of hot water bottles and put then in the engine compartment. Then I would go back in the house, have a cup of tea and by the time I had finished, I could take the HWBs out and the car started perfectly afterwards.
It's difficult the skid in a 2CV and braking on snow is surprisingly safe. Also, the engine braking on a 2CV is incredibly effective.
Absolute fun, I want one, it totally purrs! My grandmother taught me all about the manual choke on her old vintage Citroen! 😁👍
Originally, it was a manual stroke. No key to start the engine but a "pull" button that trigger the starter. Fun machine indeed !
Dont't forget the importance of good tyres! Tyres can be the difference between getting stuck on an even road and climbing up hill past even 4wd SUVs. I had a SAAB 900 several years ago; another car with a stellar reputation on snow, but when I first got it, the tyres were old and hard, and I got stuck easily. After replacing them with high quality snow tyres, it was virtually a snow mobile.
one of my relatives had the infamous 2cv sahara. less than 1000 units built.
essentially, the sahara was 2 half 2cvs bolted together creating a 4x4 2cv with 2 engines, each driving 2 wheels.
EDIT: so yes, there was an insane 4x4 version of the 2cv.
One of the most enjoyable scenes is seeing hummers and other offroaders stuck in the mud at the Dakar, and the Citroen 2cv 4x4 just crawling around them like it's just another day at the office.
Pretty much like the pre war German Tempo Vidal G1200.
Old DSes rocks the drive is just unreal
the 2cv series car is just the best car ever made all over the world all over the time to my point of view ; I want having one before I die
Get one as soon as you can. These things aren't exactly getting cheaper over time.
Firstly front wheel drive with a very light body so it floats over rather than plowing through the snow.
But it has very thin tyres that cut down into the snow and give lots of relative grip.
Plus the low powered engine i doubt you could spin the wheels if you tried !
If you look at rally car snow tyres theyre thin too.
The 2CV will eat something like a BMW 3 Series alive in these conditions.
I drove the 2CV (in Germany she is called "Ente" (Dug)) for 6 years. I love this car! Because it is simple built, you can repair a lot yourself. With the 2CV you do not drive fast from A to B, it is always a nostalgic journey!
2CV was my first car when I started driving in early 80's. My model even had a manual crank to start it by hand. Had a funny incident with that. Battery was drained some day, and colleagues started laughing at me. I simply ignored them, put out the crank, started my car and left them stand there without a word. Their jaws dropped...
The most fun cars I ever had were the citroen 2CV6, Germans call it `the duck`, and the Renault R4. You should look it up. It´s also a small great car, especially in winter.
These cars are hilarious fun! My Aunt had one and it always put a grin on my face when I got in it. It's they way these thing are built that makes them brilliant! They are light, front wheel drive, very skinny tyres and definitely underpowered. The skinny wheels slice through the snow giving good grip and the engine is mounted as far forward as it can be to keep the weight over the drive wheels. This has probably already been mentioned but they were designed to drive across a ploughed field without breaking a basket full of eggs on the passenger seat, so snow is a no brainer for this little car.
Interesting fact : when the 2CV was created, the diretor and owner of Citroën (I guess the CEO in modern speech) was personnally testing the car. And one of his requirement was that the car would start on the first cranck (before they added a battery to the 2CV... Yes, that was in 1936) by -20C (-4F) and that it should be abl eto keep running up to -40 (C/F).
You can see this 2CV has a plastic shield on the grille, it's to keep heat, else it would be cooled too much.
AFAIK the shifter pattern is a rather standard pattern for pre/post-war France. I think this shift pattern was used by at least Citroën and Renault up to the mid-50's. The 2CV was first conceived in 1935. released in 1948 and only had minor evolutions (mostly bigger engines. from 375 cc to 452cc then 602cc) up to the end of production until 1990.
We used to nick-name these the "upturned pram" as they resembled and older version of a Silvercross pram. I used to work in a garage in the early 80's and both the 2CV and the morris minor 1000, The "Moggy" as we called them, had this uncanny ability to just drive through snow where most other cars would get stuck. I even lost a bet to one thinking they would be rubbish in the snow.
You have to remember, it has very low power 33bhp from a monster (LOL) 602cc, so no wheel spin and the weight is 600 kg (1,323 lb). doesn't take much stopping and with tyres 145 on 14-inch rims, it will cut through the snow and slush. Was designed in Before WWII. Famously, it was designed with very specific requirements, including being able to carry four people and 50kg of goods at 30mph, across muddy and unpaved roads if necessary. In fact, it was suggested at the prototype stage that the 2CV should be able to carry a basket of eggs across a ploughed field.
1of my old 4men used 2tell us how ppl looked (as he drove his white with red arches n retractable roof n flip down windows) with admiration, while we thought 'yeah course'.😂 he loved his Citroën Dolly
As I recale the design profile for the Citreon was to be able to carry a barrel of apples or a pig across a ploughed fielfd, it was also the insparation for a "Car for Africa." three models of plywood body offered,. You may also want to check out the Relient 3 wheelers for chuffs and giggles! I drove an early version at a 100 mph and it was the most fun I ever had with my trousers on!
The legend is it had to carry a basket of eggs across a ploughed field unbroken.
2cv and VW Beetle...best Cars ever❤😊
The choke is operated manually. By the way, at the beginning of the video you can see that the radiator grille has been covered with a plastic cover. This was latched in winter to reduce cold drafts.
Une 2CV aux états unis loool , elle s'est perdu , son petit nom en France c'est une " Deudeuche " , on en vois encore des fois en France , elles deviennent rare. Chez les allemands la voiture du peuple c'était la coccinelle ( bettle ) et nous c'etait la Citroen 2CV increvable comme voiture , elle a servis en ville aussi bien qu'as la campagne et même en Afrique :)
I had a couple of Citroen Dyane's in the late 70s early 80s (same chassis, wheels and engine as the 2CV, just different bodywork) and they handled all weather conditions exceptionally well. With snow and slush, the narrow tyres cut right down through the soft stuff, giving insane amounts of grip for the conditions. I only once had the car slide on an icy road, and that was one with a ridiculous amount of camber and on a hill, and the surface was pretty much just a single sheet of ice. As for the gear shift, most changes in town are between 2nd and 3rd, which on the 2CV and Dyane is a straight push/pull - no having to do a zig-zag move like on a H gate, so as a result changes were very easy and also very quick. You only ever had to push against the spring to get to 1st, 4th or reverse (which had an extra strong spring making it almost impossible to select reverse by accident). Of all the cars I've had, it was by far the most fun to drive.
The 2cv4 still had adjustable friction shock absorbers!!! and you could adjust the height of the duck via the push rods of the pans. Today, well-preserved ducks are extremely expensive and not affordable for me, I miss them very much😍. On the 2cv4, there was a strap on the rear roof strut to secure the rolled-up roof from the factory
When I was younger I chose a 2CV to do the Mongol rally in, it did not let us down. To give you some context, This is the greatest motoring adventure on the planet. This is 10,000 miles of chaos across mountain, deserts and steppe on roads ranging from bad to not-a-road, There’s no backup. There’s no set route. There’s no guarantee you’ll make it to the end. Did it in 2007 London to Ulan-Ude, Russia. via Mongolia, there are only three rules; Rally vehicles have a 1200cc engine limit, but ideally under 1000cc
Rally teams are unsupported
Rally teams need to raise at least £500 for charity.
"wouldn't of thought it could go off road" These cars were developed by citroen in the 1950's to carry a farmers eggs to market ACROSS ploughed fields in France. Hence the suspension set up. They are absolutely unbeatable in snow.
This car can drive anywhere! Dis you see the egg test in a champ?! But honestly I am fan of the look! (From France 🇫🇷)
But the performance are like 😳
My ex-girlfriend had such a 2CV6, with a soft top and turret gearshift, it was a pleasure to drive, I already knew the gearshift, the Renault 4 also had a turret gearshift ... setting the turn signals was also very funny because they didn't jump back , not like you know from today's cars, if you blinked on the left and then forgot to set it back to neutral, it always blinked on the left, regardless of whether you drove to the left, right or straight ahead ....
Starting in winter when it was cold wasn't so great because the engine needed a while to warm up and run smoothly, but in summer it was just great, the roll-top roof to the rear and enjoying the summer while driving...
What you also would like is a Panhard Dyna Z. They were French to, not as archaic as a 2CV but just as interesting engineering wise. Lightweight with a compact engine but excellent design.
And you might like the Fiat Panda as well. The 4x4 is getting quite hyped these days and are collectibles going for crazy prices but the Panda in itself is to me together with the 2cv one of the best car designs.
It's a "recent " one, the first models had a hole in the front that allowed to use a crank in case it didn't worked because it's too cold or it hadn't been used for a long time. The starter consumes a lot of electricity. And the batteries (6 volt 50 A/h battery and ignition coil) of the 2CV were weak.
A few weeks ago i saw a 1954 model in a classic car show, the owner had to leave. That's how he started the engine.
while working on the prototypes in the 1930's, they wanted Duralinox ( type of aluminum alloys with added manganese, magnesium or magnesium-silicon, characterized by great corrosion resistance).
Sadly after the war,France was rebuilding itself, it was deemed too expensive and unsuitable for mass production, duralinox is abandoned for sheet metal, so much more classic and ultimately far less expensive.
First opposite reverse for manoeuvres and 2nd gear opposite third for town driving and dog leg fourth for out on the open road . It’s so simple to understand .
My favourite French brand
It doesnt have ABS to stop,...i think he probably trew an Anker out the back 😂
Although not a chauvinist, I'm quite happy that you love our good old 2cv, it's a "cult car" here in France. And it has some kind of cuteness, beside being an old and "cheap" car.
Hello from France! little info, if you look on the cap you will see that there is a gray plastic protection for winter that protects against mud and snow on the front! if not thank you for interré that you bring to the world! top !
more importantly, this piece of plastic helps the engine warm up faster, as well as the interior.
A 2CV will only warm up very slowly in winter and this little appliance can make a huge difference when it is cold.
Of course, you will need to remove it in summer or the aircooling of the 2CV's aircooling engine won't work properly in the heat and you may lose a lot of power - of which the car doesn't have a whole lot to begin with.
on the 2CV the wheels are very thin, which gives great grip on the snow because the wheel sinks more (from a normandy fan 2cv)
Old cars did not have automatic choke and a handle was pulled which, using a steel cable, limited the air supply and thus increased the supply of gasoline . Then drove it like that for a kilometer to warm up the engine faster and turn it off while driving . There was only one type of tire, called radial, and pulsed braking was used instead of ABS . Winters in Europe were real and there was nothing unusual if it was -30 degrees C (-22.0 °F) in the morning .
I remember these cars coming with a crank... you can see the hole for the crank in the front bumper I think. And no, fully manual choke. Wonder if he has winter tyres; I got them and they really make a big difference
I drove mine for two years with a defective starter - no problem, it was very easy to hand crank. And nobody wanted to borrow it!
I love the 2CV. I had one years ago, and I also had the "Dyane" version (2CV derivative). If only the build and component quality of the later 2CV's had been better, I think they would have sold far more of them.
There is now one or two companies making high quality "2CV's" with electric power trains and Galvanised Chassis, called the "2cEv". They still have the charm and ride quality of the original design, but are now run of Batteries, together with a long lasting Chassis / body combination.
There's also a 4x4 version of the 2CV called Sahara, and basically it have 2 engines, one on the front and one on the back, and they power the relative wheels connected to their relative gear boxes: front engine, front gear box, front wheels, and so rear engine, rear gearbox, rear wheels!