I had 10 of them in the Dyane body type. I put huge milage on one taking it from Dublin to London and back. I loved the simplicity. My starter motor broke so I used the crank handle to start it for about 6 months. Glad they are guaranteed to survive. Excellent video. Thanks for a wee trip down memory lane (slowly)
A colleague of mine here in Japan visited France a touch over 30 years ago, bought a 2CV, had it shipped home to Japan, and has been using it as his daily car ever since. Now that is a testament to simplicity and quality. He did not give me the impression that the car was troublesome.
-I guess they don't have dealership's here in the US because no other car can do what this 2CV does. Everyone would be buying these 2CV'S and all other cars no selling well or not selling at all.
@@OmegaF77 you are right, but when I can see one person using a near 3 tons car to go and buy half pound of butter in the mall 10km far away, I cannot empeach me to think that something is wrong somewhere in this way of life.
After a drive out my 1932 Morris Minor Two-Seater with a comfortable speed of around 45mph, my 1989 2CV feels fast, smooth, comfortable at 60+mph, and has amazing brakes in comparison with the little Minor's cable-operated set-up. I also adore the air-cooled flat-twin engine's sound, so won't be converting mine any time soon. It's part of the character of the car.
You can put a little more pep into them quite easily, overbore and carburettor kit, 10hp goes a long way with a 2cv, they are very light and you wouldn't want them to go any faster than about 80 anyway, 65 is getting a bit alarming
They do indeed do a panel van conversion - contact the 2cv shop. They make a glass fibre van back, or your can fit the EV drivetrain straight into an original van. I'd fancy an EV Arcadienne (Dyane van).
The Price tag ruins the idea of a 2CV . It was never meant to be a toy for wealthy people. If you could convert it for a reasonable Price I would jump on immediately. And a Long trip was definitely possible in the original 2CV . In 1966 I went from Denmark to Morocco in a 1958 2CV and back via Italy. Top speed 80km/h approx, but 105-110 if you slipstreamed a large truck!
It's just a car, people don't have to use them or modify them according to how you feel about it. Got a 32 Ford coupe? Restore it to original spec, or make a hot rod with an LS2. I don't care, it's your car
What a fab conversion! I used to have a 2CV Dolly, Custard/Burgundy. I think it does need more batteries for better range though, as 55 miles is nowhere near good enough. But it is a great start, well done!
Jonny - you should get one and then do a series with Richard Porter doing a road trip round the uk visiting your childhood holiday destinations. I can imagine you both in it with a picnic basket and licking an ice cream in Whitby
Thoroughly enjoyed this. You obviously had a whale of a time driving it. Noticed a comment about length of the video. Please make them as long as is appropriate to covering the subject. It certainly wasn't too long to me
Rory, many thanks for watching and taking time to comment. I tend not to do 10-12 min vids, as cutting short all the detail was what frustrated me about TV items. I see each film as a decent length to truly explore and appreciate the cars in question.
@@Elkott like reanimating someone close because u just cant let go.. but later u realize the essence of him/her is gone forever and its just an empty shell with the advancest tech
Starting to feel this is best video I've seen on UA-cam for ages, partly because I've had two of these mechanical enigmas and now want another just like that, and also because i had a smile on my face all the way through that, which is testament to how much fun these cars always are. Pining for my last one so bad now. So wish I hadn't sold it :-(
This thing is amazing. I love 2CVs anyway but this is such a good way to future proof an absolute icon! A big part of me loves the distinctive thrum of the flat two and the whirring of it’s fan, but it’s worth the fact that these will still be about that seals it for me. A superb video as always Jonny, I always look forward to them.
Learned to drive in a 2cv, no power anything, including the engine. Travelled all over France and the UK in the five I had. Dream of getting anoither, some 33 years later. FIrst thing on my lottery winning ro buy list, especially with an electric conversion, the engine, although characterful, was the weak point. Damn I need two, one with a BMW bike engine conversion! Excellent video Jonny, totally nailed it. .
Absolutely brilliant conversion... I drove a 1972 Citroën 2CV while stationed in Germany. It was such a joy to just putt along, everyone smiles and waves. Never a rush.
Great show Jonny, always loved 2CV's. A mate had a 2CV van he brought back from grape picking in France one year in lieu of pay. We used to tear round Sheffield in it, invariably sloshed. It was LH drive, and when my mate got pulled over by the cops, he just babbled in French! Love this conversion, pricey, but right as you say.👍
I remember a friend purchasing a new 2CV in about 1961. When as teenagers we all hankered to own a V8. The seats where just a tubular frame with material stretched across. We were astounded when in a drive he just drive it straight at a concrete curb and all we felt was a mild bump. Our Fords would have burst their tyres. Lol
A friend of mine had one and the seats were less comfortable, but looked like deckchairs. Also, if the car hit a pothole, one or other or both headlamps would swivel themselves in various directions. As was said, they are like a pet (part of the family) and a perfect M. Hulot mode of transport.
When my dad moved to France 30+ years ago, and inherited my brothers right-hand-drive 2CV (Hastings built?), it used to terrify the locals, seeing it moving along apparently with no one in the driver's seat. Great times. Pre-dated self-driving cars by decades. Completely irrelevant, but hey? Also, I never understood the gear stick so I just drove it in 2nd gear, mostly, ahem.
Brilliant - as you said, everyone loves a 2CV, maybe not this one for a road trip to the South of France but a great job done by the guys (and a great video as ever - thanks for putting it together).....
Not sure if you're aware but the more popular engine conversion for 2CV's is dropping a BMW GS motor in. The flat original flat twin in a 2cv was suspiciously similar to a BMW bike of the time and other than an increase in capacity they stayed very similar. So with an adapter plate and some trickery to keep the fuel pressure high enough, the BMW motor pretty much slots in!
@@SquareoftheyearFM ....125bhp out of the 1200 GS motor sounds quite tasty compared to the 9 of the original car!! Kind of defeats the object of the car though doesn't it?
The good thing of driving an old car without any safety makes you a safer driver. You don't take any risks you know you are the only safety in that car.
Fantastic - takes me back to early 80's motoring when I drove my 2CV from Leicester to the Camargue in South of France for the weekend and raced a Porche 944 and Alfa Romeo GTV6 around Boulevard Peripherique - golden memories
I love the presentation style. It's about the joy of cars and of motoring. Most other people want to dig around to spot as many negatives as possible. Forget that for a few minutes and just enjoy this delightfully whimsical celebration of the 2CEV.
The big problem for me with EV converting old cars is losing the distinctive sound they made. I know a 2CV, or a Beetle, Mini, Morris Minor, Cortina etc by the sound they make before I can see them
It is a tricky one. Losing that sound of the engine and the act of changing gear will be a loss. I can see the logic in keeping these cars going by converting to EV. But conversion of a car where the engine is part of the package like a muscle car / sports car is not on.
Absolutely inspired and beautifully executed, love the colour scheme. Last drove one of these 2 years ago after a 20 year gap it was fabulous if not slightly scary with today's traffic, certainly kept the mind focused.
I did a memorable drive from Lancashire UK to Cattolica in Italy over the swiss alps in a Citreon 2CV, so much fun. Now many years later I would love to do that trip again.
2 cvs are much narrower than modern cars, so they are handy for country lanes and carparks with narrow spaces. Bit worried about the 2cev range though - a 2cv would go at least 200 on its small tank, even with a lot of town driving. Back in the mid '90s I had a 2cv for 4 or 5 years, mostly as a "daily driver". Drove it to France a couple of times, too. (Broke down in France, but that is another story for another day). And the price is insane - part of the 2cv thing was cheap motoring (they were always one of the cheapest new cars one could buy). So I want 4 times the range, and the price to be more like 20K (refurbished to almost new). At this price they are merely a poseur's toy for those who want to pretend they are cool. At the moment, the new Ami looks like a MUCH better buy.
I love it.. One thing he said "we don't supply a spare wheel because as long as people maintain their cars you don't need them" and you said "yep yep" I always thought spare wheels are for flat tyres. am I missing his point?
It's not the cars. It's the nails and screws scattered on our roads. Don't worry though I seem to be picking most of them up In my tires I've got a nail right now in my spare. (Yes I have a spare)
@@robshipman8691 count yourself lucky. Punctures are no fun. Luckily I've always had a spare wheel or noticed the Puncture at home. Most of the ones I've had were to big to use the sealant.
Drove back to Scotland from London once, torrential rain, at night and out of nowhere came this 2 CV with its window open and full throttle passing most cars crawling up the road. They're such funny happy cars. Lol
Citroen made two of my favorite iconic cars, this being one of them. We have toured in England, including in the Cotswolds. This size of car plus the electric conversion is just right for many of the lanes and secondary roads we encountered. This is just the thing for getting around the village for shopping, in all sorts of weather. Now, I want to see if a classic larger Citroen can be converted to carry more battery weight for a longer range.
Two thoughts: 1. This car needs some sort of external speaker to produce the original engine sound. Something's missing... 2. We need a modern day 2CV (or Volkswagen/People's Car) to get EVs to the masses.
@@AnttiBrax I think you missed my point. 🙂 What I mean is, that we need a cheap and "good enough" EV to get a significant market penetration. Currently, "good enough" EVs are damned expensive. It will eventually happen, of course, in a decade or two but I'm just impatient. 😉
I made the mistake of leaving the winter muffler on my 2CV on a summer trip to Wales, melted the engine on the M6. New engine was £250 supplied and fitted, happy days. This looks like a great conversion.
Love it, bit pricey for me, but I love the concept - I’m glad someone has mentioned speed and EVs I don’t understand why we need EVs doing 0-60 in 3s, let’s get the range and charging right then make them sexy, I guess it’s to build appeal but if the government wants mass take-up, range and charging is the priority.
I would be fine with a 9 hp 2CEV I'd imagine the battery and motor would be cheaper at this point. 7,5kw motor would do the trick and 50mph would be fine with me.
Quelle beauté!! 😍 I've been living so far from my country for so many years and to see a 2CV or a DS brings tears into my eyes. I've never driven my parents' DS 21. It's been sold to a collector. With my best friend we went on holidays in Vendée on the Atlantic coast in his 2CV (I remember I put some old snikers on the front bumper's horns 😅) My parents passed away, all this seems so far away now. When I go back to France I see so many things have changed. Thank you for this time machine video🥺. But what about the original engine sound ? That's an important part of this little beauty. Much love from an almost old French man. ❤ 🇨🇵
Dear Percy Valle you have the same name, Percy, as my late father, Percy (Miller). Is Percy also a French name, or did your parents give you an English name? Kind Regards, Nygel Miller
@@nygelmiller5293hello! Oh no "Percy Valle" is just a variation of my previous nickname "Perceval" from an account I had for an online game.. long story. 😁 (Percy is not a french name as far as I know)
@@percyvalle921 thanks for replying about where your name comes from! Although my father's name was Percy, when he went to work for an American company they put a name watchamacallit, on top of holds desk, with HIS name as PERCIVAL! First time he'd been called it!
We spent a camping holiday in Northern France around 1975 in our Citröen Dyane. "We" were 4 adults and the car was towing our accommodation, a trailer-tent hired from Townshend Thorenson (includes ferry fare across Channel). Oh, and the car only had the 425cc engine. OK, lots of gear changes but car performed faultlessly. Great trip.
@@robenglish416 Eh? I believe he said it was about 35 bhp (up from 29) and overall an extra 30 kg (?) A 2cv is so light you only need about 90bhp to make it fast enough for any sane purposes, and by the sound of it about a further 90kg of batteries would give it a 200+ mile range. The roadholding would still be remarkable, but for any safety improvement you'd need a stout rollcage and full-harness belts! ;-))
@@hunchanchoc8418 yes, that’s what I said, don’t put 300 kg of batteries in, it’s not built for that! It’s a charming car and I love it for that, but it’s not meeting modern crash safety demands and better to be driven in max 50 mph.
@@robenglish416 Haha - yes, the same 50mph that those E-scooters do. Never mind the 180 mph superbikes ;-)) I guess safety is all relative. As an aside to that: Do you remember that old adage about how safely everyone would drive if every steering wheel had an 8 inch spike sticking out the centre of it? Many a true word spoken in jest ;-)
Love this, I've had several 2cv/Dyane's since the 70's. Great way to 'future proof' Classics. I currently have a 1970 FIAT 500 and considered getting it converted. Sadly the price was ridiculously prohibitive.
I think an electric DS would be fine, as it’s ICE isn’t that great, but the flat twin of a 2CV is part of it’s defining character. I’d like to do an EV conversion on my XM though.
Looked like a "slightly used" DS parked outside the workshop when Johnny was doing his spiel. Perhaps that's the next project? Oh please, oh please...... 😁
I think HubNut will be wanting a go. He has tried the E Mehari a couple of years ago. I don't think he would convert Elly but if he does have another 2cv in bits. 🤔
I was looking for a HubNut related comment. This was the first I saw. Yeah, I'd like to watch him have a go. Probably wouldn't suit deepest darkest Wales.
@@mattm6720 what I'd like to know is, how long before Moggy at Electric Classic cars does a Tesla swap on one? He is after all currently tinkering whilst laughing manically with a Classic Mini.
EXACTLY!!! 2CV'ing is about driving across country or continent to park in a field and get shouted at by French 2CV clubs for encroaching on their pitch by a few centimetres! Even our 'local' runs usually run into a hundred miles or so.
Yes, but I happen to think that this EV conversion won't be for hardcore 2CV enthusiasts. I think it will be for folks who want the 2cv look, but have the resources to choose full electric.
@@TheLateBrakeShow We'll see. Us 2cv'ers tend to be a bit bonkers. Probably where Ian (hubnut) gets it. There is a new (older) crowd coming into 2cv's at the moment who like overly restored cars, power steering from corsa's etc. so maybe you're right. I'd still like 35kWh and DC charging for when I plump to do mine.
@@TheLateBrakeShow Being Norwegian, it might not come as a surprise that my daily driver is an EV. However, only the winter can keep me out of my 2CV for longer journeys. I'd welcome the day that fast charging and decent range is offered for a 2CEV without weight increse though. I expect to have to wait a bit for that though.
Got to love the way they are keeping iconic cars alive. This seems lovely. Not sure about the spare wheel thing. The two times I needed one I actually had something physically sticking in my very well looked after tires :D.
Fantastic video! Great car. Very informative. Beautiful scenery on the drive. I had no idea GB looks like that. I'd love to have one of these over here in the USA. A 200 mile range would be ideal, if possible. 55 miles is a little to short. The most beautiful 2CV I have ever seen was in Lincoln Nebraska in the 1980s. The exterior was dark turquoise and burgandy. Sounds gross, but it was beautiful!!! Thanks for this video!
"Are you going to realistically do a long journey in a 2cv?" well I'm late to the comment section because I've just done a 300 mile day in mine but I might have imagined it so who knows.
So still hyperexpensive like all the other battery cars. A toy, not for the average Joe. Pity. As soon as hear the cost, like everyone else; total loss of interest...
@@tacodias I have owned 4 2CVs and the current one is my daily drive. and I think you mean in, not on... So anyway yes, at an affordable price and range I would have been interested.
Would make sense to try and remove the gearbox or at least the ability to select different gears. Maybe use the original gear lever to select between drive, neutral and reverse on the motor
With only 30kg extra, you can keep the original dampers and springs. Nice stuff. A steep price , but I'm sure there are enthousiasts willing to pay it.
There's room for a flat battery pack on that flat floor between the chassis rails. More centralised mass and lower CoG too. Also, it's been done, in Holland: 'We can put enough batteries in it to reach a range of 250km, with 37kWh. But you can also opt for a 32 or 27kWh battery pack, with a 220 or 190km range.' 2cvgarage.nl/en/ev-chassis/
surprised they kept the gearbox, I'm looking at other EV conversions on youtube and they have gone with a built for the job ie off the shelf EV gearbox solution.
@Alfred Wedmore well many have a 2 speed + reverse gearbox and a torque converter so they get some power back from the insane torque the electric motor puts out. The old gearboxes they find cant handle the torque nor do that have a converter to fix the issue.
oh god, what you were saying about characterful utilitarian cars made me miss Natasha my '76 VW type 2 commercial 2L Auto so much. Sadly got rolled many years ago. She was just a joy to drive and to have round
I had two and crashed my last one. At 20 mph is was a crisp packet. I would have another though in Rat rod rust, with an EV conversion. I’m loving the one in your final clip. I would miss however the over 80 mph that both of my cars achieved. Sadly, living in a terrace, I would have nowhere to plug it in! Without good charging infrastructure in built up areas, EV’s cannot be the future.
I love it. I particularly like the fact that the spirit of the original has been retained, particularly the acceleration and top speed. I just hope the Brexit debacle still allows these to be sold to EU, because I think the French in particular would lap them up.
My thoughts are mainly around it not fitting with how I use my 2cv but may be relevant to others as a large part of 2cv culture is day long runs of 100+miles or driving cross country to 2cv meets. For me it’d need at least 30kWh and CCS. I would love an EV conversion for mine (my daily driver is an EV) but the club cassis kit just falls a bit short for me.
Just caught up on this one, great to see you driving around the country lanes near my hometown and up through Stourhead, oh the EV conversion is awesome too 😍
I've got one 2CV that I restaured. She's been waiting for 8 years for a conversion kit. But those kits costs more than a working electric car. Ultimatively, it's may be cheaper to get a Renault Twizzy (biggest motor) and fit the whole system into a 2CV.
As tome goes on parts are gonna get cheaper, so grabbing a drive train is probably the best route to go. I've been tempted by a few wrecked Nissan Leaf(s? Leaves?), but apparently their control systems are a real pain.
Well, if Citroen doesn't make a 2EV, then this almost makes up for it. But imagine a factorybuilt retro model made from carbon fiber and aluminium, with twice the power and range, without having to adapt to an old gearbox/suspension system, it could be the city car the world need. And with a modern chassie and twice the range, it would do those longer trips too.
Well done! Excellent work. I converted a 69 MGB to electric drive in 2008 and have been driving it with no issues since then. Like the 2CV, it's not a long distance car - but every 1000 miles I drive it is 1000 less miles that I drive in my petrol car. Cost to drive is about 2p per mile.
@@TheLateBrakeShow Yes. I got a lot of advice from some even earlier adopters at an EV club and they recommended a light weight car with minimal complications. A 69 MGB has no power steering, no power brakes, easy to get parts and a surprising amount of room for batteries. After conversion the balance, weight and ride height were almost identical to the original. Initially I used lead acid batteries but after the Nissan Leaf was introduced, battery packs from crashed Leafs became available and now I have some lithium batteries to drive it. The motor is an AC50 (all of 10hp continuous, 35hp max) with regen braking. I don't use the friction brakes at all. Direct drive with the motor mounted on the back axle and belt driven. No gears. Simple, works, will last longer than I do.
TLBS bringing us the important motoring content :) I don't want one but I want one.
I had 10 of them in the Dyane body type. I put huge milage on one taking it from Dublin to London and back.
I loved the simplicity.
My starter motor broke so I used the crank handle to start it for about 6 months.
Glad they are guaranteed to survive.
Excellent video.
Thanks for a wee trip down memory lane (slowly)
A colleague of mine here in Japan visited France a touch over 30 years ago, bought a 2CV, had it shipped home to Japan, and has been using it as his daily car ever since.
Now that is a testament to simplicity and quality.
He did not give me the impression that the car was troublesome.
-I guess they don't have dealership's here in the US because no other car can do what this 2CV does. Everyone would be buying these 2CV'S and all other cars no selling well or not selling at all.
@@auggie803 The US has an SUV/Truck "Bigger is Better" addiction. I highly doubt the 2CV would sell at all in the US.
@@OmegaF77 you are right, but when I can see one person using a near 3 tons car to go and buy half pound of butter in the mall 10km far away, I cannot empeach me to think that something is wrong somewhere in this way of life.
@@JPB57 that's America....sad but true
your friend is called Miyazaki? :D
"it's an 86 Jonny, brand new panels, brand new chassis brand new interior".
Trigger's vroom lol
They probably have to keep it as an old vehicle as it would never meet modern safety standards
@@jamespaul2587 DVLA and VOSA will be interested to hear of this ringer pretending to be an old car...
Theseus’ 2CV, that.
After a drive out my 1932 Morris Minor Two-Seater with a comfortable speed of around 45mph, my 1989 2CV feels fast, smooth, comfortable at 60+mph, and has amazing brakes in comparison with the little Minor's cable-operated set-up. I also adore the air-cooled flat-twin engine's sound, so won't be converting mine any time soon. It's part of the character of the car.
And 16 grand for a conversion? 45 grand for a bespoke car? I can't see the point until the price comes down. Way down!!
You can put a little more pep into them quite easily, overbore and carburettor kit, 10hp goes a long way with a 2cv, they are very light and you wouldn't want them to go any faster than about 80 anyway, 65 is getting a bit alarming
They should do the panel van version as well. I'm sure lots of delivery businesses in London would be interested.
They do indeed do a panel van conversion - contact the 2cv shop. They make a glass fibre van back, or your can fit the EV drivetrain straight into an original van. I'd fancy an EV Arcadienne (Dyane van).
Now I'm thinking about an electric Triumph Herald Courier van, that turning circle would be a definite boon!
Morris Minor convertible or Woody EV...😍
@@TheLateBrakeShow Acadiane ;-)
@@TheLateBrakeShow THis video is so awesome, ruining a good car and making it worse!
The Price tag ruins the idea of a 2CV . It was never meant to be a toy for wealthy people.
If you could convert it for a reasonable Price I would jump on immediately.
And a Long trip was definitely possible in the original 2CV .
In 1966 I went from Denmark to Morocco in a 1958 2CV and back via Italy. Top speed 80km/h approx, but 105-110 if you slipstreamed a large truck!
Yeah a lot of these 'quirky new' versions of old cars seem like the antithesis of their original vehicle.
It's just a car, people don't have to use them or modify them according to how you feel about it. Got a 32 Ford coupe? Restore it to original spec, or make a hot rod with an LS2. I don't care, it's your car
It's just a car, make it what you want
What a fab conversion! I used to have a 2CV Dolly, Custard/Burgundy. I think it does need more batteries for better range though, as 55 miles is nowhere near good enough. But it is a great start, well done!
Jonny - you should get one and then do a series with Richard Porter doing a road trip round the uk visiting your childhood holiday destinations. I can imagine you both in it with a picnic basket and licking an ice cream in Whitby
Fantastic idea!
Thoroughly enjoyed this. You obviously had a whale of a time driving it. Noticed a comment about length of the video. Please make them as long as is appropriate to covering the subject. It certainly wasn't too long to me
Rory, many thanks for watching and taking time to comment. I tend not to do 10-12 min vids, as cutting short all the detail was what frustrated me about TV items. I see each film as a decent length to truly explore and appreciate the cars in question.
That's the sort of brilliant video that Mr Smith is best at, and I have missed lately. Great job, thank you very much.
Thank you v much for that. Cheers for watching.
I agree. An excellent video. Well done, Mr Smith. Shame I can't give it two thumbs up!
It’s a fantastic way to keep classic cars functional and running into the future!
Makes them more reliable too, I'd never daily drive a combustion fuel classic car but I would with an EV
Beg to differ... Entered the shop as an individual.. left an android devoid of character and thought
@@randmacct636 What a load of nonsense, electric cars are the future may as well get used to it
@@randmacct636 lmao yeah engines, absolutely not mechanical pieces of engineering whatsoever 🤣. Honestly why are you even on an EV conversion video?
@@Elkott like reanimating someone close because u just cant let go.. but later u realize the essence of him/her is gone forever and its just an empty shell with the advancest tech
Starting to feel this is best video I've seen on UA-cam for ages, partly because I've had two of these mechanical enigmas and now want another just like that, and also because i had a smile on my face all the way through that, which is testament to how much fun these cars always are. Pining for my last one so bad now. So wish I hadn't sold it :-(
I’ve liked 2CVs since my sisters then boyfriend bought a brand new Beachcomber. Now I want one even more.
Another great film. Thank you.
We didn't film it, but there was a flawless freshly restored Beachcomber at the 2CV shop.
This thing is amazing. I love 2CVs anyway but this is such a good way to future proof an absolute icon! A big part of me loves the distinctive thrum of the flat two and the whirring of it’s fan, but it’s worth the fact that these will still be about that seals it for me. A superb video as always Jonny, I always look forward to them.
Learned to drive in a 2cv, no power anything, including the engine. Travelled all over France and the UK in the five I had. Dream of getting anoither, some 33 years later. FIrst thing on my lottery winning ro buy list, especially with an electric conversion, the engine, although characterful, was the weak point. Damn I need two, one with a BMW bike engine conversion! Excellent video Jonny, totally nailed it.
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Absolutely brilliant conversion... I drove a 1972 Citroën 2CV while stationed in Germany. It was such a joy to just putt along, everyone smiles and waves. Never a rush.
"Cruise around and wobble a bit !" Brilliant episode Jonny 👏👌
“More like a pet than a car”. Absolutely nailed it there Jonny. Great video as always. Thanks fo sharing!
Great show Jonny, always loved 2CV's. A mate had a 2CV van he brought back from grape picking in France one year in lieu of pay. We used to tear round Sheffield in it, invariably sloshed. It was LH drive, and when my mate got pulled over by the cops, he just babbled in French! Love this conversion, pricey, but right as you say.👍
Jonny, the grin on your face in the cornering tracking shots was brilliant!
I remember a friend purchasing a new 2CV in about 1961. When as teenagers we all hankered to own a V8. The seats where just a tubular frame with material stretched across. We were astounded when in a drive he just drive it straight at a concrete curb and all we felt was a mild bump. Our Fords would have burst their tyres. Lol
A friend of mine had one and the seats were less comfortable, but looked like deckchairs. Also, if the car hit a pothole, one or other or both headlamps would swivel themselves in various directions. As was said, they are like a pet (part of the family) and a perfect M. Hulot mode of transport.
When my dad moved to France 30+ years ago, and inherited my brothers right-hand-drive 2CV (Hastings built?), it used to terrify the locals, seeing it moving along apparently with no one in the driver's seat. Great times.
Pre-dated self-driving cars by decades.
Completely irrelevant, but hey?
Also, I never understood the gear stick so I just drove it in 2nd gear, mostly, ahem.
This has got to be the car for you, then.
I sent the link to various family members…
That centrifuge clutch was a surprise i guess.
Thanks for your contagious enthusiasm Jonny, just watching you (with your customary research notebook - bien sure), brings a smile to my face.
Many thanks Alan
Excellent vid Johny. In lockdown and this brought a smile to my face. Wanted a 2cv when i was 17.
Brilliant - as you said, everyone loves a 2CV, maybe not this one for a road trip to the South of France but a great job done by the guys (and a great video as ever - thanks for putting it together).....
Not sure if you're aware but the more popular engine conversion for 2CV's is dropping a BMW GS motor in. The flat original flat twin in a 2cv was suspiciously similar to a BMW bike of the time and other than an increase in capacity they stayed very similar. So with an adapter plate and some trickery to keep the fuel pressure high enough, the BMW motor pretty much slots in!
And unfortunately that kind upgrade is totaly forbiden in France.
I'd do that road trip. You'd be forced to finish nice and early each day, so more time for the bar.
@@tomf3150 Come to the UK :D
@@SquareoftheyearFM ....125bhp out of the 1200 GS motor sounds quite tasty compared to the 9 of the original car!! Kind of defeats the object of the car though doesn't it?
The good thing of driving an old car without any safety makes you a safer driver.
You don't take any risks you know you are the only safety in that car.
Fantastic - takes me back to early 80's motoring when I drove my 2CV from Leicester to the Camargue in South of France for the weekend and raced a Porche 944 and Alfa Romeo GTV6 around Boulevard Peripherique - golden memories
I love the presentation style. It's about the joy of cars and of motoring. Most other people want to dig around to spot as many negatives as possible. Forget that for a few minutes and just enjoy this delightfully whimsical celebration of the 2CEV.
Thank you, much appreciated. I know this conversion is flawed and pretty pricy, but it offers a select few a different option.
Thankyou for bringing these stories to us.
car + story + history + future love it
Nice conversion. I own a 2cv myself and I often put my mind on something like this. But I also love the vintage speedometer and its engine sound.
That was just fantastic! Thank you so much for the video Jonny!
The big problem for me with EV converting old cars is losing the distinctive sound they made. I know a 2CV, or a Beetle, Mini, Morris Minor, Cortina etc by the sound they make before I can see them
It is a tricky one. Losing that sound of the engine and the act of changing gear will be a loss. I can see the logic in keeping these cars going by converting to EV. But conversion of a car where the engine is part of the package like a muscle car / sports car is not on.
It's just a preference. I prefer quieter. It's just a car
It’s all about the journey not the destination. Awesome video Jonny and loving the 10 to 2 driving proper old school 🏎💨👍
My thoughts exactly! 2CV's not-so-high top speed kinda forces one to observe and enjoy the scenery as they drive.
Absolutely inspired and beautifully executed, love the colour scheme. Last drove one of these 2 years ago after a 20 year gap it was fabulous if not slightly scary with today's traffic, certainly kept the mind focused.
I did a memorable drive from Lancashire UK to Cattolica in Italy over the swiss alps in a Citreon 2CV, so much fun. Now many years later I would love to do that trip again.
2 cvs are much narrower than modern cars, so they are handy for country lanes and carparks with narrow spaces. Bit worried about the 2cev range though - a 2cv would go at least 200 on its small tank, even with a lot of town driving. Back in the mid '90s I had a 2cv for 4 or 5 years, mostly as a "daily driver". Drove it to France a couple of times, too. (Broke down in France, but that is another story for another day). And the price is insane - part of the 2cv thing was cheap motoring (they were always one of the cheapest new cars one could buy). So I want 4 times the range, and the price to be more like 20K (refurbished to almost new). At this price they are merely a poseur's toy for those who want to pretend they are cool. At the moment, the new Ami looks like a MUCH better buy.
True, this is more for someone who want a cute classic car, but electric!
Not for everyday use!
I love it..
One thing he said "we don't supply a spare wheel because as long as people maintain their cars you don't need them" and you said "yep yep"
I always thought spare wheels are for flat tyres. am I missing his point?
It's not the cars. It's the nails and screws scattered on our roads. Don't worry though I seem to be picking most of them up In my tires I've got a nail right now in my spare. (Yes I have a spare)
A Smart fortwo doesnt have a spare or a jack just a bottle of sealant and a compressor I havent had to use either in 14yrs of use here in Portugal...
@@robshipman8691 count yourself lucky. Punctures are no fun. Luckily I've always had a spare wheel or noticed the Puncture at home. Most of the ones I've had were to big to use the sealant.
@@chrishart8548 Yep, flat tyres are nothing to do with maintenance but for things that you can't control.
Drove back to Scotland from London once, torrential rain, at night and out of nowhere came this 2 CV with its window open and full throttle passing most cars crawling up the road. They're such funny happy cars. Lol
Citroen made two of my favorite iconic cars, this being one of them. We have toured in England, including in the Cotswolds. This size of car plus the electric conversion is just right for many of the lanes and secondary roads we encountered. This is just the thing for getting around the village for shopping, in all sorts of weather. Now, I want to see if a classic larger Citroen can be converted to carry more battery weight for a longer range.
All your videos are top notch Jonny but this is your finest ever.......amazing car the 2cv.........well done.
Two thoughts:
1. This car needs some sort of external speaker to produce the original engine sound. Something's missing...
2. We need a modern day 2CV (or Volkswagen/People's Car) to get EVs to the masses.
There will never be a modern 2CV because of all the mandatory "safety devices" that have been lobbied by Continental and Delphi.
@@AnttiBrax I think you missed my point. 🙂 What I mean is, that we need a cheap and "good enough" EV to get a significant market penetration. Currently, "good enough" EVs are damned expensive. It will eventually happen, of course, in a decade or two but I'm just impatient. 😉
@@Elgsdyr Yeah, that's right. The "market" will not solve it by itself. We need to ban ICE cars before any significant progress happens.
I made the mistake of leaving the winter muffler on my 2CV on a summer trip to Wales, melted the engine on the M6. New engine was £250 supplied and fitted, happy days. This looks like a great conversion.
Awesome vid J - perfect pitch of detail vs enthusiasm vs telling the story -
Love it, bit pricey for me, but I love the concept - I’m glad someone has mentioned speed and EVs I don’t understand why we need EVs doing 0-60 in 3s, let’s get the range and charging right then make them sexy, I guess it’s to build appeal but if the government wants mass take-up, range and charging is the priority.
I would be fine with a 9 hp 2CEV I'd imagine the battery and motor would be cheaper at this point. 7,5kw motor would do the trick and 50mph would be fine with me.
@@chrishart8548 any car should be able to do the national speed limit 70 as going too slow is as bad as going too fast
Quelle beauté!! 😍
I've been living so far from my country for so many years and to see a 2CV or a DS brings tears into my eyes. I've never driven my parents' DS 21. It's been sold to a collector. With my best friend we went on holidays in Vendée on the Atlantic coast in his 2CV (I remember I put some old snikers on the front bumper's horns 😅) My parents passed away, all this seems so far away now. When I go back to France I see so many things have changed.
Thank you for this time machine video🥺. But what about the original engine sound ? That's an important part of this little beauty.
Much love from an almost old French man. ❤ 🇨🇵
Dear Percy Valle you have the same name, Percy, as my late father, Percy (Miller). Is Percy also a French name, or did your parents give you an English name? Kind Regards, Nygel Miller
@@nygelmiller5293hello! Oh no "Percy Valle" is just a variation of my previous nickname "Perceval" from an account I had for an online game.. long story. 😁 (Percy is not a french name as far as I know)
@@percyvalle921 thanks for replying about where your name comes from! Although my father's name was Percy, when he went to work for an American company they put a name watchamacallit, on top of holds desk, with HIS name as PERCIVAL! First time he'd been called it!
@10:05 That's the 2CEV advert right there. Giant Jonny smile almost burning through the wind screen 🤗
We spent a camping holiday in Northern France around 1975 in our Citröen Dyane. "We" were 4 adults and the car was towing our accommodation, a trailer-tent hired from Townshend Thorenson (includes ferry fare across Channel).
Oh, and the car only had the 425cc engine. OK, lots of gear changes but car performed faultlessly. Great trip.
Absolutely love it 😍! They have kept it true to original performance which is probably a good thing considering road holding and crash safety.
2CV roadholding is actually very very good.
@@hunchanchoc8418 yes for the performance it had in it’s heydays but not if you cramp in 150hp and 300 kg of batteries!
@@robenglish416 Eh? I believe he said it was about 35 bhp (up from 29) and overall an extra 30 kg (?) A 2cv is so light you only need about 90bhp to make it fast enough for any sane purposes, and by the sound of it about a further 90kg of batteries would give it a 200+ mile range.
The roadholding would still be remarkable, but for any safety improvement you'd need a stout rollcage and full-harness belts! ;-))
@@hunchanchoc8418 yes, that’s what I said, don’t put 300 kg of batteries in, it’s not built for that! It’s a charming car and I love it for that, but it’s not meeting modern crash safety demands and better to be driven in max 50 mph.
@@robenglish416 Haha - yes, the same 50mph that those E-scooters do.
Never mind the 180 mph superbikes ;-)) I guess safety is all relative.
As an aside to that: Do you remember that old adage about how safely everyone would drive if every steering wheel had an 8 inch spike sticking out the centre of it? Many a true word spoken in jest ;-)
You really do have the best show on UA-cam!!! Continued success good sir!
Love this, I've had several 2cv/Dyane's since the 70's. Great way to 'future proof' Classics.
I currently have a 1970 FIAT 500 and considered getting it converted. Sadly the price was ridiculously prohibitive.
LOVED IT JONNERZ. Down my way. I'm literally from over yonder hill tother side the 303. wanna 2cv now.
I smiled all the the way through that, lovely, but do get those wipers changed to chrome PLEASE!
Excellent engineering. Love companies who just do the job that needs to be done now. Develop and making it better. Good luck guys!
This episode put a smile on my face and reminded me why I am a petrolhead. Driving something that put a smile on your face. 👍👍
Awesome episode, such a great car show. Love the electric 2CV, such a cool idea. As mentioned below, electric DS please!
Une Deudeuch is' not a vehicle , it' s ' Un art de Vivre ' and converting a 2cv in electric car is a pure stupidity , more it' s a sacrilège
I think an electric DS would be fine, as it’s ICE isn’t that great, but the flat twin of a 2CV is part of it’s defining character. I’d like to do an EV conversion on my XM though.
Youd still have the suspension, and light weight. As its own thing, I'd have one.
You saw the car to the left of the last shot? "DS21EV", where the drive train is finally up to date with the futuristic styling :)
Gatica
@@benholroyd5221 you wouldn't have light weight once you'd fitted a half ton battery to it lol
Looked like a "slightly used" DS parked outside the workshop when Johnny was doing his spiel. Perhaps that's the next project? Oh please, oh please...... 😁
I 💗 2CVs, so pleased to hear about this 2CEV business - would loved to see more and more of these about. 💚👍
Love it, thank you Jonny, made my day, I'm now looking online for 2CV's...😄
I think HubNut will be wanting a go. He has tried the E Mehari a couple of years ago.
I don't think he would convert Elly but if he does have another 2cv in bits. 🤔
I was looking for a HubNut related comment. This was the first I saw. Yeah, I'd like to watch him have a go. Probably wouldn't suit deepest darkest Wales.
@@mattm6720 what I'd like to know is, how long before Moggy at Electric Classic cars does a Tesla swap on one? He is after all currently tinkering whilst laughing manically with a Classic Mini.
@@mattm6720 me too
when I win the lottery (it's bound to happen any day soon) I shall get two of each (petrol and EV) to use as guest cars for visitors to my chateau
More chance of getting struck by lightning than winning the lottery.
Getting struck by lightening in an ev car will certainly charge it up quickley
@@neilfranklin5644 certainly worked for iron man!
Yeah, thats good, did I hear they gonna bring him back.
All the best with that ticket …
Double Denim.
Also I laughed out loud when you went around that sharp bend. What a lark. I’d forgotten how softly sprung the 2CV was.
They call me the thinner Leno...
That grin on your face when you drove it round the corner with the passenger wing mirror dragging on the floor!
Love it! But I do love me an ev conversion classic… also kudos to Jonny for rocking the Jay Leno style double denim!! x
Thank you Kay. It felt like the right thing to wear on the day.
No long journeys in a 2CV?? Really?? Actually most of us 2CV owners prefer long journeys.
Great video anyway... thanks!
EXACTLY!!! 2CV'ing is about driving across country or continent to park in a field and get shouted at by French 2CV clubs for encroaching on their pitch by a few centimetres! Even our 'local' runs usually run into a hundred miles or so.
Yes, but I happen to think that this EV conversion won't be for hardcore 2CV enthusiasts. I think it will be for folks who want the 2cv look, but have the resources to choose full electric.
@@TheLateBrakeShow We'll see. Us 2cv'ers tend to be a bit bonkers. Probably where Ian (hubnut) gets it. There is a new (older) crowd coming into 2cv's at the moment who like overly restored cars, power steering from corsa's etc. so maybe you're right. I'd still like 35kWh and DC charging for when I plump to do mine.
@@TheLateBrakeShow Being Norwegian, it might not come as a surprise that my daily driver is an EV. However, only the winter can keep me out of my 2CV for longer journeys.
I'd welcome the day that fast charging and decent range is offered for a 2CEV without weight increse though. I expect to have to wait a bit for that though.
Got to love the way they are keeping iconic cars alive. This seems lovely.
Not sure about the spare wheel thing. The two times I needed one I actually had something physically sticking in my very well looked after tires :D.
You can find a front bonnet with spare wheel fix on bonnet, it’s available if looked around hard enough, probably a shop outside Paris sells them.
Another great video. This show should be on the TV.
If Citroen could relaunch this exact car, I would Buy it as a city commuter....if price point would be under 8KEur
5he conversion alone is over £16k with no car .
@@chrishart8548 not Mass production.
2C-EV for towns DS-EV for longer drives. ;-)
Fantastic video! Great car. Very informative. Beautiful scenery on the drive. I had no idea GB looks like that. I'd love to have one of these over here in the USA. A 200 mile range would be ideal, if possible. 55 miles is a little to short. The most beautiful 2CV I have ever seen was in Lincoln Nebraska in the 1980s. The exterior was dark turquoise and burgandy. Sounds gross, but it was beautiful!!! Thanks for this video!
Great video, Jonny and, in terms of "smiles-per-mile", the 2CV has got to be up there with the best, for sure. :-)
"Are you going to realistically do a long journey in a 2cv?"
well I'm late to the comment section because I've just done a 300 mile day in mine but I might have imagined it so who knows.
I think that’s brilliant! It actually makes the car better and more enjoyable. Electric power definitely suits the 2CV.
Lovely to see you driving this beauty round Stourhead
Nice one Jonny, a most enjoyable episode
So still hyperexpensive like all the other battery cars. A toy, not for the average Joe. Pity. As soon as hear the cost, like everyone else; total loss of interest...
Ah yes, you would otherwise daily commute on a e2CV….
@@tacodias I have owned 4 2CVs and the current one is my daily drive. and I think you mean in, not on... So anyway yes, at an affordable price and range I would have been interested.
How much is it?
Wait another 5 years. Solid state batteries are coming. Far cheaper than the current ones
Ok. It's just a car, people do with them what they want, and not everyone wants the same thing
Bloody expensive if you ask me, hence a total perversion of the original spirit of the 2CV.
I've never been able to watch a bonnet flap in the wind before xD
Brilliant Johnny, enjoyable as always 😉
It’s from 1986 now in Triggers broom spec 👍
Would make sense to try and remove the gearbox or at least the ability to select different gears. Maybe use the original gear lever to select between drive, neutral and reverse on the motor
Or to hang your handbag/backpack on?
There's no neutral on an electric motor. You just lift the pedal and it stops pushing.
Cracking little car, great conversion
Fantastic video as always jonny. Would love to see the same conversion on a dyane. Seems to be a forgotten about car in Citroen's heritage
With only 30kg extra, you can keep the original dampers and springs. Nice stuff.
A steep price , but I'm sure there are enthousiasts willing to pay it.
Exactly that. Still feels like it has the same DNA dynamically. Still not fast, still hilarious, still great off road.
@@TheLateBrakeShow Would love to try a twin motor electric Sahara or Mehari 4x4! That lowdown EV torque was made for off-road..
That's an awesome conversion .Will they do an s version 100 mile range .75mph top speed and a slight less rollable body .
An ev 24 hr cup car
There's room for a flat battery pack on that flat floor between the chassis rails. More centralised mass and lower CoG too. Also, it's been done, in Holland: 'We can put enough batteries in it to reach a range of 250km, with 37kWh. But you can also opt for a 32 or 27kWh battery pack, with a 220 or 190km range.' 2cvgarage.nl/en/ev-chassis/
Great vid, thanks Jonny. The 2CEV will bring some much needed happiness to owners and onlookers alike. Any update on the FigEVaro?
That 2CV is like triggers brush. 🤣 what a beautiful thing though.
It is, and all the better for it!
So you don't need a spare wheel as long as you maintain your car properly? That's a new one to me. How does that prevent punctures exactly?
Thought the same ,but with that range you could practically walk home !
surprised they kept the gearbox, I'm looking at other EV conversions on youtube and they have gone with a built for the job ie off the shelf EV gearbox solution.
@Alfred Wedmore well many have a 2 speed + reverse gearbox and a torque converter so they get some power back from the insane torque the electric motor puts out. The old gearboxes they find cant handle the torque nor do that have a converter to fix the issue.
oh god, what you were saying about characterful utilitarian cars made me miss Natasha my '76 VW type 2 commercial 2L Auto so much. Sadly got rolled many years ago. She was just a joy to drive and to have round
I had two and crashed my last one. At 20 mph is was a crisp packet. I would have another though in Rat rod rust, with an EV conversion. I’m loving the one in your final clip. I would miss however the over 80 mph that both of my cars achieved. Sadly, living in a terrace, I would have nowhere to plug it in! Without good charging infrastructure in built up areas, EV’s cannot be the future.
Over 80mph? That is a miracle, as is you surviving a crash in one...
@@TheLateBrakeShow it must have been bored out before my ownership. I passed a Porsche on the outside lane going to Ipswich...
@@TheLateBrakeShow I t-boned a bus at 40mph in my old 2cv! I drove it home, and fixed the damage to the 2cv the next day for 40 quid.
I love it. I particularly like the fact that the spirit of the original has been retained, particularly the acceleration and top speed. I just hope the Brexit debacle still allows these to be sold to EU, because I think the French in particular would lap them up.
It sounded like this is actually a French refit kit and this shop is just working on doing the RHD refit for the UK market.
My thoughts are mainly around it not fitting with how I use my 2cv but may be relevant to others as a large part of 2cv culture is day long runs of 100+miles or driving cross country to 2cv meets.
For me it’d need at least 30kWh and CCS.
I would love an EV conversion for mine (my daily driver is an EV) but the club cassis kit just falls a bit short for me.
Just caught up on this one, great to see you driving around the country lanes near my hometown and up through Stourhead, oh the EV conversion is awesome too 😍
I've got one 2CV that I restaured. She's been waiting for 8 years for a conversion kit. But those kits costs more than a working electric car.
Ultimatively, it's may be cheaper to get a Renault Twizzy (biggest motor) and fit the whole system into a 2CV.
As tome goes on parts are gonna get cheaper, so grabbing a drive train is probably the best route to go. I've been tempted by a few wrecked Nissan Leaf(s? Leaves?), but apparently their control systems are a real pain.
I see they have tartan for when 'Wee Jackie' wants his 2CV done.
Well, if Citroen doesn't make a 2EV, then this almost makes up for it.
But imagine a factorybuilt retro model made from carbon fiber and aluminium, with twice the power and range, without having to adapt to an old gearbox/suspension system, it could be the city car the world need.
And with a modern chassie and twice the range, it would do those longer trips too.
No doubt it would cost over £100k for one of those.
Well done! Excellent work. I converted a 69 MGB to electric drive in 2008 and have been driving it with no issues since then. Like the 2CV, it's not a long distance car - but every 1000 miles I drive it is 1000 less miles that I drive in my petrol car. Cost to drive is about 2p per mile.
Wow, so you are an early adopter?
@@TheLateBrakeShow Yes. I got a lot of advice from some even earlier adopters at an EV club and they recommended a light weight car with minimal complications. A 69 MGB has no power steering, no power brakes, easy to get parts and a surprising amount of room for batteries. After conversion the balance, weight and ride height were almost identical to the original. Initially I used lead acid batteries but after the Nissan Leaf was introduced, battery packs from crashed Leafs became available and now I have some lithium batteries to drive it. The motor is an AC50 (all of 10hp continuous, 35hp max) with regen braking. I don't use the friction brakes at all. Direct drive with the motor mounted on the back axle and belt driven. No gears. Simple, works, will last longer than I do.
Great review as always. Nice Jordans too!
Electric bamboo yes please