@@westerlywinds5684 A Honda 160 cc had some tough Interstate so I stayed on State Rds until I got a Honda 350 CL. 600 CC was big and Triumphs were 650 CC.
This is genuinely one of the most fun videos I’ve ever watched on UA-cam. A little 2CV, in the USA, battling up an icy hill in Colorado. These are without doubt one of the most endearing cars ever. Sod your Lambos and Porsches… this is the best sort of entertainment. I’d love to own a 2CV one day.
Snow is not a problem, salt yes, specialy with the last 2cv's made in Portugal (1987-1990), but rust isnt a issue on a rebuilt 2cv with a new galvanized frame like mine: a new frame made in France on the original machines, is relative cheap (1341€ in France), i did need a full week to replace it alone with some repairs in same time...
A 2cv6 in good condition reach easely 110km/h (70mph) but is sensible to headwind or climbs, but in downhill or back wind , it reach easely 120km/h.The most comfortable speed for this car is 90 km/h
110 km/h is the official top speed of the 28hp model. The car in the video has 29hp (it was built before new emission limits reduced the avilable power) and should have an official top speed of 112 or 113. Most of these cars can however go a little faster than the data sheet says. But yeah, altitude is a factor and definitely costs you some power.
When I was a student, a guy from my class had one and would daily drive from the next big town. On some mornings running late for class he would bolt down the motorway toping 140km/h downhill, with the passenger holding on for his dear life.
@@meharidude Only really an issue with poorly assembled (at the factory) disc-braked gearboxes. One of the first things to do when you buy a late model 2CV is to remove the top of the gearbox and make such you peen over the selector rings properly.
The name of this car, 2CV, means "2 chevaux fiscaux" (pronounced "chevo fisco") it's a way to classify the cars sold in france relative to the insurance prices. Also, "chevaux vapeur" (pronounced "chevo vaper") is for the power delivered by the engine. So this 2CV has 29 chevaux Vapeur. (Excuse-me if there is some mistakes, i'm french)
My parents, before they made me around 1968-1973 had one that they drove from the Netherlands to Portugal several times. I can not even imagine what kind of a marathon that must have been. They had stories about how they tried to pass a lorry at the highway going slightly uphill and being in it's slipstream it seemed like it would be possible, though once they went to the left lane they were only going faster by an inch an hour or so, and there were those quicker cars behind them honking, Eventually they just let go of the throttle to creep back behind it. At one point the chassis was also torn, my father didn't tell my mother until after they arrived back, cause she would have totally freaked out. They also said they unbolted the rear seat on their lunch breaks and just sat it outside so they had a kind of a sofa to sit on LOL. Such adventures you couldn't even imagine any more these days...
I have been told the 2CV was originally designed to carry four French peasants (farm workers) a dozen eggs and two bottles of wine across a ploughed field.
In high school, a friend had a Citroën Mahari, which is a polymer bodied “Jeep” style vehicle powered by the same drivetrain from the 2CV. We used to rock back and forth in unison to get the car up to speed! Thanks Tommy for bringing back those memories. ❤️
Roman gets the award for pushing that box up the hill, good job Roman. The little car sure served it's purpose when they first came out. Not the modern car of today but it was magic at the time.
I owned two 2CVs while stationed in Germany in the late 70s. One was a '67, and the other a little older. They wouldn't pass the German TUV inspection any longer, and were going to be parted out, but the US inspection wasn't anywhere near as strict as the Germen one. I drove each one about a year, until something broke, then replaced it. I paid 50 Marks (about $20 at the time) for each, and then got nearly as much for them when I junked them. 65 mph and nearly 50 mpg. And tons of fun.
I remember my granddad telling a story about when he was young and used that car for work, the 2cv van. And how on their way back from a job the journey was half an hour shorter because they had a tailwind.
Absolutely love the 2cv. Had one years ago, the best fun 1 or 4 up. And as air cooled you can run near flat out all day. Leave it stock. Try it in snow like the Tesla last year, they're amazing
I've had two CVs. Took my second regularly on long trips, and even on the flat got it off the clock! By the way, there are winter tyres available from Michelin
yep rust was a issue, like on the most 70' cars (last 2cvs was not improved on this "detail"...), but it's easy to repair it "self made" with a galvanized frame who is close undestructible by rust
For heating, add the muff to the front and change the ducts for insulated ones. It's also worth changing the ducts to the fenders for rubber ones for a better seal. For snow driving, keep it slow and smooth in second and never stop!
2CVs have great heaters, not "dismal" (for dismal: see any aircooled VW). If yours is dismal, you need new insulated ducts, and if you're driving without the grille muff at temps under 50F, you're not getting full engine performance. The only thing that keeps my '84 from roasting me alive in winter is the fact that the air-sealing of the rest of the car is laughable.
This is a really enjoyable video. You probably know this already, Tommy, but one trick is to back up the snowy hill so that the front drive wheels get better weighted by the engine + gravity. That's how old FWD Saabs used to get up snowy hills here in VT. Of course the video is more fun to watch the way you did it. (Added Later: I see that someone else made the same suggestion.)
Yes, they put in the drive train the wrong way around 😂 Out neighbour had a Beetle back then and he was the only one who get up the steep road when we had lots of snow.
Back in 70s, my wife and I bought the first typeHonda. A 600, with a motorcycle engine, two cylinders, downhill with a tailwind, maybe 75 mph. That's flying in a car about as tall as a semi tire. My favorite car in France was the Citroen Avant traction. Looked like a chopped and channeled 34 Ford two door sedan.
No I don't think so..70mph = 112km/h...never ever Maybe measured on the original tachometer or with GPS? Our acadiane "box" version of 2CV from tunisia has a much more powerful engine 32ps but it is a reworked bored unit with much more ccm, converted to electronic ignition, perfect carb settings on level ground does 126km/h top speed for sure on the German autobahn with GPS based drag box which i lended from a friend. It revs like crazy but is a deathtrap at this speed :-/
My (602 cc, stock) 2CV used to get its claimed 72 MPH, occasionally, on the flat when there wasn't any wind making trouble. It was so light and not at all aerodynamic that I used to slipstream lorries or buses which meant I could drop about 4dB of revs, that's how you judge, there is no visual indication of revs, just relatively less noise and less stridency from the engine. Flat-out requires a long downhill road. I found one where I could bury the speedometer needle in the end-stop whilst still accelerating. That would mean in excess of 85 MPH. I expect that racing at Le Mans is slightly less scary.
I love the Citröen , they are the cars of my childhood and I learned with 12 years to drive in a 2CV , I have had a MEHARI and I could drive behind a bus at more than 80 kilometers per hour taking advantage of the vehicle in front of me cut the wind, these cars are eternal if you give them affection. I was delighted to see a 2CV driving on a US Highway! Greetings from Spain
Greeting from Argentina! I have one of these beautifull tin snails! 1978 2cv6 Prestige, you can change the original point and condenser system with a CDI "DGnition" it's one of the brands, it's a night and day change for the engine. Plus coldstart won't be a problem anymore
It´s great to see that the humble 2CV adapts so well to urban lifestyle even in the US, but now I am curious to see what would American people in general think of a GS...
I've previously owned a Ferrari 308 GTB, a Toyota MR2 a Mercedes 350SL but I am now in the market for a real fun car, a Citroën 2CV. That's what got me to your video's thanks.
No Problem, Bruce. Just build your own. Here in Europe, every single part vor the 2CV is available. New, made on the genuine Citroen production machines. You can even buy a brand new hot-dip galvanized chassis, which sure will not rust within the next 300 years.
Great fun.. The friendliest car on the planet. Grille muff vital below 10 deg C, otherwise engine does not get up to temperature or develop max power. Also heater depends on engine temperature. It is very good if the engine is hot. Reverse is the answer for a snowy hill... pushing instead of pulling in a front wheel drive. I have owned 3 new 2CV6s over 42 years and covered 550,000 kms. Max on flat is 115 kph, more downhill with a tail wind....
If you plan to go on such adventures alot on a 2cv I recomend getting some offroad tires, They made those for the Citroen Mehari that has the same wheels and drivetrain. There are some options which people who use the 2cv for terrain driving use.
10:35 The GS (you referenced the motor a swap option) is also air-cooled, and the winter cover for the motor was important to move to the winter position if you wanted heat... The 2CV have the winter shield as a fabric on the outside, so it was visible to other people.
As a former 2cv tamer, I reckon You still could meet the highway limit in a Deuche once she's tuned to the altitude You go to in her. I used to pull the air filter above 1000 m (roundabout 3200 feet), put a girl's stocking over the intake to prevent little animals being sucked in, and closed the idle screw a quarter turn to lean her out a bit. Usually there was no less than 120 km (74 mph) reached, no matter which altitude (29 hp 652ccm version, no catalytic potato blocking the exhaust). The wind did not help though 😅, You gotta add the upcoming wind I'm afraid, to get Your actual "environmental live" speed, not only speed over ground 😁
I immediately pictured a break-down scenario where a squirrel is being sucked half-way into the carburetor and little tufts of singed fur are blown out the exhaust...
My mum had several 2CVs back then new...also a Charleston. I always asked her why all cars on German Autobahn were faster than us traveling at 100km/h and she told me it only goes 110 per hour...which she also sometimes reached. One day another 2CV surpassed us and 4 year old me demanded a race...she then admitted our 2CV reaches 125km/h on its speedo (which as I remember only goes up to 120km/h) and she she is always afraid to drive this fast because she fears the car falling apart. Believe me I demanded top speed from then on and once she gave in and pushed the little girl to the speedos limit 🥰 5 year old me was happy, 125km/h in a 2CV... By that time the car was only about a year old and obly had 4500 miles on the odo
125 km/h flat road. was always funny, how the sport cars felt the need to suddenly to speed up when they saw a 2cv passing them on the swiss highway (speed limit 120). we kids always demanded they go faster around the corners. got our mother to scratch the sidesteps, when a biker coming to other way cut into her lane.
Hi, this car has the 602 cm3 engine with 29 HP. It doesn’t make huge difference against 435 cm3 with 25 HP. 602 is just stronger than 435 that was used to break when speed limit went higher with better roads in 60´s, 70´s. I have one, a Spot, and it is actually a funny car to discover roads on another way. Have fun ! Regards from France !
Old French car with a German license plate being driven in Colorado, USA. Perfectly normal. Also, that car should be capable of at least 100 to 110 kph even in that elevation. I had an earlier model from the 1970's and it did better than that.
The official technique for getting up steep and slippery slopes in the wonderful 2CV, is to go up in reverse with your passenger standing, braced on the front bumper, to add traction on those front wheels. Just make sure they do not lean on the bonnet (hood)! It will fold in like a piece of aluminium foil! I have used this technique on several occasions, both with and without a passenger assist. It means slower and lower revs but it seems to work well in 'dire' situations! I still miss mine so much!
I got a lift in a 2cv in 1981 from RAF Catterickto the outskirts of Newcastle and I can truthfully say the ride was okay. It was the middle of December and I was going home for a while to aberdeen and the rail warrant I had and the money I had wouldn’t have gotten me a return from Darlington but regarding the 2cv, she was extremely warm and comfortable and the very kind driver dropped me off at a bus stop that went by the station so I was very grateful
I drove a 2CV for a couple of years and it is excellent in snowy conditions. Obviously proper snow tires do help. There are exactly two types of snow tires available for this car these days (at least in Europe): the original Michelin vintage car tires, and some cheap all-season tires from some Chinese company. For the record, the Michelin ones are both expensive (I believe 150 Euros apiece) and crappy. Unless you absolutely want the "original look", you are completely fine with the cheap no-name ones which I believe I bought for less than 50 Euros apiece. I did drive the car in winter and snow-covered roads was where it was first introduced to the overtaking lanes...
ahh happy days. In the past I've owned 5 2CVs including a van. If you dont already know then you can gain an extra 3BHP by the simple expedient of using the top part of a Dyane Air Shroud (or fabiricating something) to provide a forced air fed from the cooling fan to the carb inlet ;o) Yes I know 3BHP doesnt sound much but as a percentage of 29bhp :D
Great video on a great car! A 2CV with snow chains will get you almost anywhere. I used to participate in trial events for landrovers and especially in the slippery, muddy and sandy bits the 2CV outperformed the landrover esecially if you increase ride hight a bit at the front (easy to do). Once we had a full 12Bft huricane and I tried to break the 2CV speed record on the Dutch 'afsluitdijk' (a 32km straight dike with sea on both sides). With the wind directly astern I went flat out. The speedo has a highest indication of 120km/h, the needle has an end stop at about 140, and at the end of the dike, only after prolonged braking, did the needle leave the end stop. I must have done at least 160km/h which I calculated to correspond to 9200rpm! Later that day I had to go back, against the gale, and the wind was still so strong that I had to remain in 3rd. My 2CV lasted almost 200.000km at which point the rust worm had finished its dinner.
The Visa came with 700cc on the same Block and about 35hp. The other popular Swap are BMW R80 or R100 Engines for 55 to 70hp while still having the nice Boxer Sound.
What I did have to cross snow mountains in Europe, deflate the tires to about 5 lbs. Criss-cross 5/8ths inch hemp rope over each drive tire, reinflate. Got us over the mountains!
Roman looked whoopped after the push up the hill, Roman needed to pull the age card. Tommy you get out and push, dont want the ole man to have a stroke. 😉
Almost all over Europe the highways have 130 Km/h speed limits (80.7 MPH). Except the German Autobahn sections where you can go nuts. Which is nice. Vive la France!
The fun thing about driving an underpowered car is your have to drive it like a race car. It is more fun to drive a dog at the edge of its limits than drive a supercar at the speed limit.
My 2CV in 1986 made easily 115-120kmh and 130-135kmh downhill (all of course as shown by the speedometer, so probably 5-10kmh less in real life). But since you are on such altitude, only 62mph is fairly low.
Our first family car was a Dyane 6, which is much like a 2CV with different body panels and a souped up 602cc engine. It run on higher octane petrol to deliver an amazing 32hp. Maximum speed was 120km/h, the motorway speed limit at the time in Spain. We were four kids seating in a narrow bench. The suspension gave us really good chances to squeeze each other.
I had one that was falling apart and it did 67 on the flat no wind. I also love the way the fly wheel is so big you put it in 2nd and dump the clutch to start and it wont stall just hop a couple of times and go about its business.
Here in Germany, that car had the nickname "duck" and was, of course, a contemporary of the iconic "beetle". Both cars have a passing similarity in their shape, so I guess that's why some people mistake them for one another...
Here in France, some people still use these as daily drivers. I see one or two almost every day while driving to work. They do easily 110km/h as everybody else, overtaking trucks and all. I am at the sea level though. Nice feelgood video. Thank you.
Snow thires would surely help, But what you need most, is a good driving technique on snow. Spinning wheels have far less friction than no-spinning ones on any surface, so you go off the throttle and ease your way up. Even riding on the clutch will be a good idea to keep the wheels from spinning. That will bring you much further up the hill. And of course, choose the easiest path for the car where the snow is thinnest and gravel protrudes. You might even consider lovering the tire pressure to get a better traction.
Great video and a reminder of my 2CV days. The doors used to bow outwards under air pressure and a speed dependant gap would appear. 😁 Talking of speed, they used to advertise them as faster than a Ferrari: "A 2CV at its top speed of 71 mph is faster than a Ferrari doing 65mph" 🤣Wonderful tongue in cheek marketing. I never did check the egg claim though.
One of a main request when Citroen developed that car was that a farmer could drive a car on the field with a speed of 40km/h - 25 mil/h and all the egs in the basket in a rear sit must reamain unfractured. Citroen almost did up to the speed limit on the high way with 29 HP which is quite an achievement. Wondering why some peoples need 10 time more HP for the same high way?
in reality, on small modern aerodynamic cars are 29hp enough to drive at 130km/h...a Brit did make a very aerodynamic wood body for he's Dyane and the car did reach, with the stock 29hp engine + a adapted gearbox, 160km/h top speed= aerodynamics are VERY important with low powered cars, but most of the US citizen "need" they cubic 2 tons road monsters (same thing now in europe with the "SUV fashion"...): look like the gas is not quite expansive...
Hubnut has just taken one of these on an off-road hill-climb in Wales. It coped magnificently. In any event, if you want to increase the speed of a 2CV downhill, then fill it with bags of cement.
I've been driving these for quite a few years, routinely driving 700-800km in a day when visiting the family. It's relatively easy to keep a steady 110 km/h on flat without wind... wind has a huge impact, and in a hill it's not uncommon to have to drop to third gear and barely reach 60km/h until you reach the top... so a common strategy on hilly roads is to push the pedal to the metal going downhill, can reach almost a scary 140 km/h so you can use the momentum to stay at a proper speed in the next up-hill.
Used to commute on the motorways in the UK; scary as trucks went past - the suction would pull the door window frame out at the top leaving out a gap you put your fingers through. Once took the seats out and boot door and roof off and got a complete bathroom suite into it - bath, basin and toilet.
I owned a 1980 Renault R5 (Le Car in the US) sold to me by a jeep dealer who touted its off road abilities. It had twice the number of cylinders and possibly twice the horsepower. Its front wheel layout was like the 2CV except its inline water cooled block was intruding into the passenger side leg room a bit. Front/ back balance was nicely centered with the transmission mostly forward of the front axles. It was made for bombing though Paris potholes and Paris to Dakar rallies. It had more rear suspension travel than a contemporary Cadillac. I took it on some jeep trails here in SoCal, and it did quite well, until I had to try a steep short incline. Then it failed me the same way your 2CV did, by losing front traction. Next time turn it around and back it up the hill, thats what I had to do.
I’ve had 2 of these. At sea level can cruise at 65 and reach 70(occasionally higher). On snowy uphill you can go up backwards which puts more wt on drive wheels
Had this car for years. The 23 hp version. Made up to 120 km/h on the German Autobahn. Noisy but adaquate to get around. Low fuel consumption. But hell in winter. Very hard to get cozy and warm inside, when it is really cold outside. But I really loved my "duck", which it was called, similar to the beetle for the VW. The biggest drawback was that it rusted like crazy. But sitll a great car. They built about 20 Millions of it or thereabouts.
I drove a Subaru 360 over 50,000 miles around Southern CA in the 1970’s. Highest elevation 8,000 feet in the Big Bear mountains. That was a 2 stroke twin with 25 hp. Worked ok on the level but on a grade it’s narrow power band was a problem since the transmission was a three speed with an “over top” 4th gear. The three were too widely spaced so there were a lot of 2nd gear climbs at 25 mph. I can vouch for your altitude problems. The 360 weighed a bit over 900 lbs. Although the US version could top out at 70mph, it wasn’t safe over 55 in cross winds. I got to drive a late ‘50s 2CV with centrifugal clutch and 400cc. I think the Subaru could outrun it. Wish I could own a 602 version but at today’s prices I’m happy to watch videos like yours instead.
In all my years in Europe, living in England and visiting many countries I've never ever seen a 2CV on the highway! Ever! And I see them on city streets plenty, even today.
? I think i'm much older than you and i see MANY 2cv's on France's highways in the 70 to 90', inclusive mine...today ist' rare because the 2cv are now old and most use as hobbie car to drive cool on nice country roads...
From experience: You Can improve accelleration as we did in France in the 70.s. Keep throttle down when shifting gear up. Your clutch foot must go from top right to bottom left an drop the clutch. It was designed to be abused.
“Come on little guy, you can do it!”
Everyone who has driven a 2CV has said that out loud 😄, encouraging it along!
You can’t help but talk to it.
Only did I "little girl" her all the time .... 😁
I also say that about my Crosstrek.
@@westerlywinds5684 A Honda 160 cc had some tough Interstate so I stayed on State Rds until I got a Honda 350 CL. 600 CC was big and Triumphs were 650 CC.
2Cv answering in a KITT´s voice: "Sorry Michael, that's all I can do". 😅
This is genuinely one of the most fun videos I’ve ever watched on UA-cam. A little 2CV, in the USA, battling up an icy hill in Colorado. These are without doubt one of the most endearing cars ever. Sod your Lambos and Porsches… this is the best sort of entertainment. I’d love to own a 2CV one day.
Yes my friend. I have one (Dyane, not 2cv, but it's the same car) and its the most funny car i had.
When driving a 2CV on the snow or salty roads, don't forget that rust is a real issue for these cars.
Snow is not a problem, salt yes, specialy with the last 2cv's made in Portugal (1987-1990), but rust isnt a issue on a rebuilt 2cv with a new galvanized frame like mine: a new frame made in France on the original machines, is relative cheap (1341€ in France), i did need a full week to replace it alone with some repairs in same time...
@@leneanderthalien excelente trabajo
@@leneanderthalien my Dad has a 2CV with a bad frame. Do you have a link?
Would going to ppl that water clean car floors after winter be okay or does 2cv not like salty road and water at all?
Just buy an galvanised 2cv.
Problem solved.
A 2cv6 in good condition reach easely 110km/h (70mph) but is sensible to headwind or climbs, but in downhill or back wind , it reach easely 120km/h.The most comfortable speed for this car is 90 km/h
110 km/h is the official top speed of the 28hp model. The car in the video has 29hp (it was built before new emission limits reduced the avilable power) and should have an official top speed of 112 or 113.
Most of these cars can however go a little faster than the data sheet says. But yeah, altitude is a factor and definitely costs you some power.
When I was a student, a guy from my class had one and would daily drive from the next big town. On some mornings running late for class he would bolt down the motorway toping 140km/h downhill, with the passenger holding on for his dear life.
1976 I got to true 90 mph downhill. Engine was a whistle and big effort to hold it on the road.
@@arthur_p_dent
The official top speed of the 29hp (latest one) is 115 kph
@@asthalis you seem to be right. Strange, my memory said 113.
Going uphill on a slippery road with this magnificent front wheel drive car in reverse would have done miracles!
@@meharidude well, I don't...what does that mean?
Was about to suggest the same. I use to do that in my 90 Civic si, it worked great!
@@meharidude Will it bind up?
@@meharidude that does not sound very appealing
@@meharidude Only really an issue with poorly assembled (at the factory) disc-braked gearboxes. One of the first things to do when you buy a late model 2CV is to remove the top of the gearbox and make such you peen over the selector rings properly.
The name of this car, 2CV, means "2 chevaux fiscaux" (pronounced "chevo fisco") it's a way to classify the cars sold in france relative to the insurance prices. Also, "chevaux vapeur" (pronounced "chevo vaper") is for the power delivered by the engine. So this 2CV has 29 chevaux Vapeur.
(Excuse-me if there is some mistakes, i'm french)
My parents, before they made me around 1968-1973 had one that they drove from the Netherlands to Portugal several times. I can not even imagine what kind of a marathon that must have been. They had stories about how they tried to pass a lorry at the highway going slightly uphill and being in it's slipstream it seemed like it would be possible, though once they went to the left lane they were only going faster by an inch an hour or so, and there were those quicker cars behind them honking, Eventually they just let go of the throttle to creep back behind it. At one point the chassis was also torn, my father didn't tell my mother until after they arrived back, cause she would have totally freaked out. They also said they unbolted the rear seat on their lunch breaks and just sat it outside so they had a kind of a sofa to sit on LOL. Such adventures you couldn't even imagine any more these days...
There's nothing to unbolt or unscrew - just a quarter turn at the 2 fixation bolts, and the seat is out!
@@altepost3805 Ah thanks for that insight, at the time I must still have been fluids or at best in diapers... 😊
I have done that with my Dyane, but I use to carry a folding stool on the trunk.
I have been told the 2CV was originally designed to carry four French peasants (farm workers) a dozen eggs and two bottles of wine across a ploughed field.
I absolutely love these types of vids. Pure, joyous entertainment. Silly? You bet! But just an absolute hoot.
These and the build videos are the videos that keep me coming back to tfl
In high school, a friend had a Citroën Mahari, which is a polymer bodied “Jeep” style vehicle powered by the same drivetrain from the 2CV. We used to rock back and forth in unison to get the car up to speed! Thanks Tommy for bringing back those memories. ❤️
The Mehari looked like a 3D-printed car before 3D printing was even invented. I love it ❤️
Roman gets the award for pushing that box up the hill, good job Roman. The little car sure served it's purpose when they first came out. Not the modern car of today but it was magic at the time.
You should have gone uphill in reverse with that car. Guess you gotta learn somehow...
I owned two 2CVs while stationed in Germany in the late 70s. One was a '67, and the other a little older. They wouldn't pass the German TUV inspection any longer, and were going to be parted out, but the US inspection wasn't anywhere near as strict as the Germen one. I drove each one about a year, until something broke, then replaced it. I paid 50 Marks (about $20 at the time) for each, and then got nearly as much for them when I junked them. 65 mph and nearly 50 mpg. And tons of fun.
With good studded winter tires those skinny tires would be awesome on that road
I remember my granddad telling a story about when he was young and used that car for work, the 2cv van. And how on their way back from a job the journey was half an hour shorter because they had a tailwind.
Absolutely love the 2cv. Had one years ago, the best fun 1 or 4 up. And as air cooled you can run near flat out all day. Leave it stock. Try it in snow like the Tesla last year, they're amazing
I've had two CVs. Took my second regularly on long trips, and even on the flat got it off the clock! By the way, there are winter tyres available from Michelin
Clearly remember my first car, 29hp and I took it all over Europe. It was fun but rusted like hell
yep rust was a issue, like on the most 70' cars (last 2cvs was not improved on this "detail"...), but it's easy to repair it "self made" with a galvanized frame who is close undestructible by rust
Rust in Deuches was a maintenance problem though.
For heating, add the muff to the front and change the ducts for insulated ones. It's also worth changing the ducts to the fenders for rubber ones for a better seal. For snow driving, keep it slow and smooth in second and never stop!
This reminds me of y 1982 Mercedes 240D. Hills, headwind, a full tank of fuel, a passenger! Everything made a difference. Slow but fun.
2CVs have great heaters, not "dismal" (for dismal: see any aircooled VW). If yours is dismal, you need new insulated ducts, and if you're driving without the grille muff at temps under 50F, you're not getting full engine performance. The only thing that keeps my '84 from roasting me alive in winter is the fact that the air-sealing of the rest of the car is laughable.
Totally agree they have great heaters and you get heat so much quicker than a water cooled car
With snow/winter tyres that thing would climb just about anything.
You cannot expect them to know that they are only americans
@@16jan1986 I'm American, but I've always been at odds with our version of car culture, which is why I'm on Citroën #4 now.
True, the heater might take a little bit to get going, but it gets really nice and warm. I remember mine fondly, absolutely not dismal.
This is a really enjoyable video. You probably know this already, Tommy, but one trick is to back up the snowy hill so that the front drive wheels get better weighted by the engine + gravity. That's how old FWD Saabs used to get up snowy hills here in VT. Of course the video is more fun to watch the way you did it. (Added Later: I see that someone else made the same suggestion.)
Yes, they put in the drive train the wrong way around 😂
Out neighbour had a Beetle back then and he was the only one who get up the steep road when we had lots of snow.
Back in 70s, my wife and I bought the first typeHonda. A 600, with a motorcycle engine, two cylinders, downhill with a tailwind, maybe 75 mph. That's flying in a car about as tall as a semi tire. My favorite car in France was the Citroen Avant traction. Looked like a chopped and channeled 34 Ford two door sedan.
My father had an S 600 Honda car and I believe it was a 4 cylinder engine :)
70 mph are within the reach of a stock 2cv. My slightly tuned Dyane super cruises happily around 80-85 mph, and beyond belief down-hill...
Cruises!!!!
Mine did too, with a following wind.
Full motorway speeds took the range to below 100 miles!!!
No I don't think so..70mph = 112km/h...never ever Maybe measured on the original tachometer or with GPS?
Our acadiane "box" version of 2CV from tunisia has a much more powerful engine 32ps but it is a reworked bored unit with much more ccm, converted to electronic ignition, perfect carb settings on level ground does 126km/h top speed for sure on the German autobahn with GPS based drag box which i lended from a friend.
It revs like crazy but is a deathtrap at this speed :-/
@@kitecattestecke2303 The Diane had better aerodynamics, that’s why it could go faster. With a fair wind of course.
"Cars piled up behind us while he was doing the HIGH SPEED RUN" LOL
My (602 cc, stock) 2CV used to get its claimed 72 MPH, occasionally, on the flat when there wasn't any wind making trouble. It was so light and not at all aerodynamic that I used to slipstream lorries or buses which meant I could drop about 4dB of revs, that's how you judge, there is no visual indication of revs, just relatively less noise and less stridency from the engine.
Flat-out requires a long downhill road. I found one where I could bury the speedometer needle in the end-stop whilst still accelerating. That would mean in excess of 85 MPH. I expect that racing at Le Mans is slightly less scary.
I love the Citröen , they are the cars of my childhood and I learned with 12 years to drive in a 2CV , I have had a MEHARI and I could drive behind a bus at more than 80 kilometers per hour taking advantage of the vehicle in front of me cut the wind, these cars are eternal if you give them affection. I was delighted to see a 2CV driving on a US Highway! Greetings from Spain
Greeting from Argentina! I have one of these beautifull tin snails! 1978 2cv6 Prestige, you can change the original point and condenser system with a CDI "DGnition" it's one of the brands, it's a night and day change for the engine. Plus coldstart won't be a problem anymore
It´s great to see that the humble 2CV adapts so well to urban lifestyle even in the US, but now I am curious to see what would American people in general think of a GS...
I've previously owned a Ferrari 308 GTB, a Toyota MR2 a Mercedes 350SL but I am now in the market for a real fun car, a Citroën 2CV. That's what got me to your video's thanks.
No Problem, Bruce. Just build your own. Here in Europe, every single part vor the 2CV is available. New, made on the genuine Citroen production machines. You can even buy a brand new hot-dip galvanized chassis, which sure will not rust within the next 300 years.
Great fun.. The friendliest car on the planet. Grille muff vital below 10 deg C, otherwise engine does not get up to temperature or develop max power.
Also heater depends on engine temperature. It is very good if the engine is hot.
Reverse is the answer for a snowy hill... pushing instead of pulling in a front wheel drive.
I have owned 3 new 2CV6s over 42 years and covered 550,000 kms. Max on flat is 115 kph, more downhill with a tail wind....
If you plan to go on such adventures alot on a 2cv I recomend getting some offroad tires, They made those for the Citroen Mehari that has the same wheels and drivetrain.
There are some options which people who use the 2cv for terrain driving use.
Roman: dad of the year award for putting his life on the line!😄😄
74 was my record - downhill north wales with a following wind (speed is an estimate with a flickering speedo)
10:35 The GS (you referenced the motor a swap option) is also air-cooled, and the winter cover for the motor was important to move to the winter position if you wanted heat...
The 2CV have the winter shield as a fabric on the outside, so it was visible to other people.
I have a Bmw 1220 2 cillinder in my 2cv.
That an easy swap and some were around 90hp.
Tommy, I love this channel and the cool cars you have on it. The Citroen is wonderful.
As a former 2cv tamer, I reckon You still could meet the highway limit in a Deuche once she's tuned to the altitude You go to in her. I used to pull the air filter above 1000 m (roundabout 3200 feet), put a girl's stocking over the intake to prevent little animals being sucked in, and closed the idle screw a quarter turn to lean her out a bit.
Usually there was no less than 120 km (74 mph) reached, no matter which altitude (29 hp 652ccm version, no catalytic potato blocking the exhaust). The wind did not help though 😅, You gotta add the upcoming wind I'm afraid, to get Your actual "environmental live" speed, not only speed over ground 😁
I immediately pictured a break-down scenario where a squirrel is being sucked half-way into the carburetor and little tufts of singed fur are blown out the exhaust...
My mum had several 2CVs back then new...also a Charleston.
I always asked her why all cars on German Autobahn were faster than us traveling at 100km/h and she told me it only goes 110 per hour...which she also sometimes reached.
One day another 2CV surpassed us and 4 year old me demanded a race...she then admitted our 2CV reaches 125km/h on its speedo (which as I remember only goes up to 120km/h) and she she is always afraid to drive this fast because she fears the car falling apart.
Believe me I demanded top speed from then on and once she gave in and pushed the little girl to the speedos limit 🥰
5 year old me was happy, 125km/h in a 2CV...
By that time the car was only about a year old and obly had 4500 miles on the odo
125 km/h flat road. was always funny, how the sport cars felt the need to suddenly to speed up when they saw a 2cv passing them on the swiss highway (speed limit 120).
we kids always demanded they go faster around the corners. got our mother to scratch the sidesteps, when a biker coming to other way cut into her lane.
Hi from Europe. I had no idea that citroen took their 2cv so far from France. Enjoy it
Hi, this car has the 602 cm3 engine with 29 HP. It doesn’t make huge difference against 435 cm3 with 25 HP. 602 is just stronger than 435 that was used to break when speed limit went higher with better roads in 60´s, 70´s. I have one, a Spot, and it is actually a funny car to discover roads on another way. Have fun ! Regards from France !
2cv6 1970-1979 simple carburetor 110 km/h
2cv6 1979-1990 double carburetor 115 km/h
2cv4 1970-1978 simple carburetor 104 km/h
Old French car with a German license plate being driven in Colorado, USA. Perfectly normal.
Also, that car should be capable of at least 100 to 110 kph even in that elevation. I had an earlier model from the 1970's and it did better than that.
The official technique for getting up steep and slippery slopes in the wonderful 2CV, is to go up in reverse with your passenger standing, braced on the front bumper, to add traction on those front wheels. Just make sure they do not lean on the bonnet (hood)! It will fold in like a piece of aluminium foil! I have used this technique on several occasions, both with and without a passenger assist. It means slower and lower revs but it seems to work well in 'dire' situations! I still miss mine so much!
I got a lift in a 2cv in 1981 from RAF Catterickto the outskirts of Newcastle and I can truthfully say the ride was okay. It was the middle of December and I was going home for a while to aberdeen and the rail warrant I had and the money I had wouldn’t have gotten me a return from Darlington but regarding the 2cv, she was extremely warm and comfortable and the very kind driver dropped me off at a bus stop that went by the station so I was very grateful
I drove a 2CV for a couple of years and it is excellent in snowy conditions. Obviously proper snow tires do help.
There are exactly two types of snow tires available for this car these days (at least in Europe): the original Michelin vintage car tires, and some cheap all-season tires from some Chinese company.
For the record, the Michelin ones are both expensive (I believe 150 Euros apiece) and crappy. Unless you absolutely want the "original look", you are completely fine with the cheap no-name ones which I believe I bought for less than 50 Euros apiece. I did drive the car in winter and snow-covered roads was where it was first introduced to the overtaking lanes...
ahh happy days. In the past I've owned 5 2CVs including a van.
If you dont already know then you can gain an extra 3BHP by the simple expedient of using the top part of a Dyane Air Shroud (or fabiricating something) to provide a forced air fed from the cooling fan to the carb inlet ;o)
Yes I know 3BHP doesnt sound much but as a percentage of 29bhp :D
In 1925 the first car to circumnavigate Australia was a 1923 Citroen 5CV.
Great video on a great car! A 2CV with snow chains will get you almost anywhere. I used to participate in trial events for landrovers and especially in the slippery, muddy and sandy bits the 2CV outperformed the landrover esecially if you increase ride hight a bit at the front (easy to do).
Once we had a full 12Bft huricane and I tried to break the 2CV speed record on the Dutch 'afsluitdijk' (a 32km straight dike with sea on both sides). With the wind directly astern I went flat out. The speedo has a highest indication of 120km/h, the needle has an end stop at about 140, and at the end of the dike, only after prolonged braking, did the needle leave the end stop. I must have done at least 160km/h which I calculated to correspond to 9200rpm! Later that day I had to go back, against the gale, and the wind was still so strong that I had to remain in 3rd. My 2CV lasted almost 200.000km at which point the rust worm had finished its dinner.
The Visa came with 700cc on the same Block and about 35hp. The other popular Swap are BMW R80 or R100 Engines for 55 to 70hp while still having the nice Boxer Sound.
Visa & LNA 652 cc double carburetor ,,, 9.5 :1
compression,
35ps din /5500 ,125km/h
The 4 pot GSA mod requires the 2CV body to be lengthened.
In the Citroen Dyane, the GSA engine fits without adjustment.
une charlestone jaune ( yellow ), c'est la plus rare des charlestone !
bon choix bravo !
My Citroën Dyane 6 was once clocked in at 140 km/h, but of course had a full 29 horsepower vs the 2CV’s 23
140 km/h = 87 mph
Dyane6 & ami8,, 32ps din, double carburetor
122 km /h
2cv6 1970 - 1979 simple carburetor 110 km /h
2cv6 1979 - 1990 double carburetor 115 km /h
2cv4 1970 - 1978 simple carburetor 104 km /h
What I did have to cross snow mountains in Europe, deflate the tires to about 5 lbs. Criss-cross 5/8ths inch hemp rope over each drive tire, reinflate. Got us over the mountains!
Roman looked whoopped after the push up the hill, Roman needed to pull the age card. Tommy you get out and push, dont want the ole man to have a stroke. 😉
Cruise control in a 2CV is activated by using the throttle pedal as a footrest
That’s it! 😂
Almost all over Europe the highways have 130 Km/h speed limits (80.7 MPH). Except the German Autobahn sections where you can go nuts. Which is nice. Vive la France!
12:50 you can absolve a snowy hill in reverse. Maybe, because so you will have more weight, so more grip on the driven wheels.
What a great little classic car. I could watch it all day!
The fun thing about driving an underpowered car is your have to drive it like a race car. It is more fun to drive a dog at the edge of its limits than drive a supercar at the speed limit.
Bless your dad for being so supportive.
My 2CV in 1986 made easily 115-120kmh and 130-135kmh downhill (all of course as shown by the speedometer, so probably 5-10kmh less in real life). But since you are on such altitude, only 62mph is fairly low.
2cv6 1970 - 1979 simple carburetor 110 km /h
2cv6 1979 - 1990 double carburetor 115 km /h
2cv4 1970 - 1978 simple carburetor 104 km /h
@@darladallddoria143 i drove it so I know... 🤣🤣🤣
Our first family car was a Dyane 6, which is much like a 2CV with different body panels and a souped up 602cc engine. It run on higher octane petrol to deliver an amazing 32hp. Maximum speed was 120km/h, the motorway speed limit at the time in Spain. We were four kids seating in a narrow bench. The suspension gave us really good chances to squeeze each other.
Dyane6 & ami8,
double carburetor, 9:1 compression 32ps din 122 km/h
2cv6 1970 - 1979 simple carburetor 110 km/h 8.5 :1 compression
2cv6 1979 - 1990 double carburetor 115 km/h 8.5 :1 compression
2cv4 1970 - 1978 simple carburetor 104 km/h 8.5 :1
I had one that was falling apart and it did 67 on the flat no wind. I also love the way the fly wheel is so big you put it in 2nd and dump the clutch to start and it wont stall just hop a couple of times and go about its business.
I felt sorry for Dad at 13:19 exhausted and having to walk back down the hill to his truck while you just drove away 😆
Citroen even built a very rare Version with 4-Wheel Drive. They just installed a second engine for the rear Wheels.
Here in Germany, that car had the nickname "duck" and was, of course, a contemporary of the iconic "beetle".
Both cars have a passing similarity in their shape, so I guess that's why some people mistake them for one another...
Here in France, some people still use these as daily drivers. I see one or two almost every day while driving to work. They do easily 110km/h as everybody else, overtaking trucks and all. I am at the sea level though. Nice feelgood video. Thank you.
I've maxed the speedo on mine. They do 80+ in the right conditions.
Respect the Citroën 2cv. Pure simplicity, practicity and Joy since 1948.
French Car German Numberplate, its from Fürth in Bavaria.
_2cv6 1970 - 1979 simple carburetor 110 km/h
_2cv6 1979 - 1990 double carburetor 115 km/h
My 2cv (1952) has gone 47 miles per hour, this is with the original 375cc engine
I had a '79 Subaru BRAT that topped out at 45mph going uphill!
Snow thires would surely help, But what you need most, is a good driving technique on snow. Spinning wheels have far less friction than no-spinning ones on any surface, so you go off the throttle and ease your way up. Even riding on the clutch will be a good idea to keep the wheels from spinning. That will bring you much further up the hill. And of course, choose the easiest path for the car where the snow is thinnest and gravel protrudes. You might even consider lovering the tire pressure to get a better traction.
Funny video! It may have been better to have Roman sit on the front bumper to put some weight over those front wheels!
In Texas on a divided highway the speed limit would be 75 mph, and on a rural two lane the speed limit would be 70 or 75 mph.
😱 That huge monster truck is chasing the C2V 😱
Some people drop in a BMW 2 cylinder 1000cc motorcycle engine in a 2CV. It will improve the topspeed a lot
You have the benefit of cold air, which helps a lot.
You really need a turbo with 7psi boost. At that temperature, you don't even need an intercooler.
Great Video! I would love to see a video about the articulation of the 2CV!
I love this video. I couldn't stop smiling while watching it. I adore 2 CV ❤
Great video and a reminder of my 2CV days. The doors used to bow outwards under air pressure and a speed dependant gap would appear. 😁 Talking of speed, they used to advertise them as faster than a Ferrari: "A 2CV at its top speed of 71 mph is faster than a Ferrari doing 65mph" 🤣Wonderful tongue in cheek marketing. I never did check the egg claim though.
This was a treat to watch. I would try reversing up the hill to put the weight emphasis on the front :)
One of a main request when Citroen developed that car was that a farmer could drive a car on the field with a speed of 40km/h - 25 mil/h and all the egs in the basket in a rear sit must reamain unfractured.
Citroen almost did up to the speed limit on the high way with 29 HP which is quite an achievement.
Wondering why some peoples need 10 time more HP for the same high way?
in reality, on small modern aerodynamic cars are 29hp enough to drive at 130km/h...a Brit did make a very aerodynamic wood body for he's Dyane and the car did reach, with the stock 29hp engine + a adapted gearbox, 160km/h top speed= aerodynamics are VERY important with low powered cars, but most of the US citizen "need" they cubic 2 tons road monsters (same thing now in europe with the "SUV fashion"...): look like the gas is not quite expansive...
Hubnut has just taken one of these on an off-road hill-climb in Wales. It coped magnificently.
In any event, if you want to increase the speed of a 2CV downhill, then fill it with bags of cement.
You’d probably get an additional 5 KPH if you had a smaller breakfast *and* didn’t waste all that power by running the heater. 👍 Great review!
What heater ?!
Man, this is an air cooled engine. You might get vaguely lukewarm air if you’re lucky.
Heater works off exhaust pipes and is very very effective if you fit the grille muff and let's engine get up to temperature
I've been driving these for quite a few years, routinely driving 700-800km in a day when visiting the family.
It's relatively easy to keep a steady 110 km/h on flat without wind... wind has a huge impact, and in a hill it's not uncommon to have to drop to third gear and barely reach 60km/h until you reach the top... so a common strategy on hilly roads is to push the pedal to the metal going downhill, can reach almost a scary 140 km/h so you can use the momentum to stay at a proper speed in the next up-hill.
Change the car if you want to ride fast. The 2 Cv is a car for enjoying slow tempo.
Used to commute on the motorways in the UK; scary as trucks went past - the suction would pull the door window frame out at the top leaving out a gap you put your fingers through. Once took the seats out and boot door and roof off and got a complete bathroom suite into it - bath, basin and toilet.
Imagine if you drive a 3CV, almost 45 hp. It feels like a lamborghini
What a fun car and moments you can have with a car like that!! Awesome video!! Thanks a lot!! Viva la Citroen!!
I owned a 1980 Renault R5 (Le Car in the US) sold to me by a jeep dealer who touted its off road abilities. It had twice the number of cylinders and possibly twice the horsepower. Its front wheel layout was like the 2CV except its inline water cooled block was intruding into the passenger side leg room a bit. Front/ back balance was nicely centered with the transmission mostly forward of the front axles. It was made for bombing though Paris potholes and Paris to Dakar rallies. It had more rear suspension travel than a contemporary Cadillac.
I took it on some jeep trails here in SoCal, and it did quite well, until I had to try a steep short incline. Then it failed me the same way your 2CV did, by losing front traction. Next time turn it around and back it up the hill, thats what I had to do.
Pulling uphill in snow/ice, try keeping 2nd gear so you don't break traction with too much power.
It would have been interesting to see if it would back up the hill better than going forward.
I’ve had 2 of these. At sea level can cruise at 65 and reach 70(occasionally higher). On snowy uphill you can go up backwards which puts more wt on drive wheels
Had this car for years. The 23 hp version. Made up to 120 km/h on the German Autobahn. Noisy but adaquate to get around. Low fuel consumption. But hell in winter. Very hard to get cozy and warm inside, when it is really cold outside. But I really loved my "duck", which it was called, similar to the beetle for the VW. The biggest drawback was that it rusted like crazy. But sitll a great car. They built about 20 Millions of it or thereabouts.
Gute Zeiten!
Ich fuhr anno dazumal meine Ente auch einmal auf dem Nürburgring spazieren… Bin dabei sogar einmal etwas aus der Kurve geflogen-> untersteuert.
_2cv6 1970 - 1979 simple carburetor 28ps din /6750
110 km /h
_2cv6 1979 - 1990 double carburetor 29 ps din /5750 115 km /h
_2cv4 1970 - 1978 simple carburetor
24.5 ps din /6750
104 km /h
_Dyane6 & ami8, double carburetor
32ps din /5750
122 km /h
I drove a Subaru 360 over 50,000 miles around Southern CA in the 1970’s. Highest elevation 8,000 feet in the Big Bear mountains. That was a 2 stroke twin with 25 hp. Worked ok on the level but on a grade it’s narrow power band was a problem since the transmission was a three speed with an “over top” 4th gear. The three were too widely spaced so there were a lot of 2nd gear climbs at 25 mph. I can vouch for your altitude problems. The 360 weighed a bit over 900 lbs. Although the US version could top out at 70mph, it wasn’t safe over 55 in cross winds. I got to drive a late ‘50s 2CV with centrifugal clutch and 400cc. I think the Subaru could outrun it. Wish I could own a 602 version but at today’s prices I’m happy to watch videos like yours instead.
You need to test the 2CV Sahara with two engines and 4WD. Not sure this hill would resist to it.
In all my years in Europe, living in England and visiting many countries I've never ever seen a 2CV on the highway! Ever! And I see them on city streets plenty, even today.
? I think i'm much older than you and i see MANY 2cv's on France's highways in the 70 to 90', inclusive mine...today ist' rare because the 2cv are now old and most use as hobbie car to drive cool on nice country roads...
Auto wipers, in early 2CVs you manually worked the wipers with a handle.
Apparently you love your 2CV and this little car deserves it. 😂👍
some power upgrades were made to 2hp with a citroen GS engine, I think this also implied the use of a citroen ami chassis...a real Frankenstein
From experience: You Can improve accelleration as we did in France in the 70.s. Keep throttle down when shifting gear up. Your clutch foot must go from top right to bottom left an drop the clutch. It was designed to be abused.