Citroen 2CV - the best car of the 1940s?!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 4 чер 2024
- Citroen 2CV
The story of the 2CV is an interesting one and it didn’t begin in 1948 when the car came onto the market or when Ian from HubNut bought Elly many years ago!
In the 30s, Citroen wasn’t in the best of health and in fact, it was bankrupt; which led to a take over by Michelin - which gave the car an interesting first - but more on that later.
Andre Citroen died in 1935 but his successor, Pierre Jules Boulanger, was just as much of a visionary. He wanted a cheap car for the masses - what was dubbed ‘an umbrella on wheels’ to replace the horse and cart.
The 1936 TPV (Tout Petit Voiture') may have been designed to be simple and cheap to produce, but France's front wheel drive people's car was in fact, engineered without compromise and to the highest precision standards.
But then, the Second World War happens. Citroen weren’t about to let Hitler march in and take their designs to further his war efforts so they did something very brave and hid all the prototype cars. This level of deceit would’ve been punishable by death had the ruse been discovered, so it was an incredibly courageous act to take.
We get to the end of the car and finally, the 2CV can come to fruition. Two CV by the way, stands for deux coeval, which is French is two horses. The two horses is two taxable horsepower.
The new car from Citroen was unveiled to the public in 1948, the 2CV’s H-frame chassis lay underneath aircraft style tube framework, bolt-on panels, and a fabric roof - we talk about why you’d have fabric over steel later on in the video.
The car was designed with independent swing arm suspension which meant the wheelbase on the outside of the corner increased in the bends, so it had astonishingly good grip.
I suspect a lot of the ingenious ideas were coined or at least encouraged by Andre Lefebvre, who was in charge of the early TPV project because he’d raced and designed cars for the Grand Prix - he knew what was needed for a car in terms of suspension and handling.
Plus he took more than a keen interest in tyes; which is perhaps why, coupled with Michelin’s ownership, we have radial tyres on this car, a world first.
We talk later on about the FWD affording extra cabin room, but so too did the interconnected suspension, which was laid flat along each sill for low centre of gravity.
Also low in the car was the air-cooled flat twin and four-speed 'box - designed to require as few moving parts as possible.
It could run for hours without overheating.
During development, test units were run
for 50,000 miles at full throttle and used virtually no oil.
I know some of you will be asking at home how big this is, because some countries did not receive the 2CV. Well, it is 3.86 metres long and 1.48 metres wide, which is about 152 by 58.3 inches.
Cosmetic changes were few throughout the car’s lifepan, as were engine upgrades (375cc at the start, upgraded to 602cc later), in a remarkable 42-year production run that proved just how right Citroën got it in the first place.
And with over 3.8 million of these sold, I think we can all agree it’s not only a classic but produced in many countries around the world; an instantly recognisable symbol of France and their automotive industry.
Now testing this car today is rather special, not just because it belongs to a dear friend, but because it probably shouldn’t be here!
The car, named Tupperware, is a car you may recognise from Practical Classics as it is owned by deputy editor James.
A couple of years ago, James went on a breathtaking adventure through Europe in the car and then at the last hurdle, was smashed into at a ferry port whilst awaiting his ferry home.
Barry, the star of our recent episode of Classic Heroes, painstakingly rebuilt the car with his son Pete and did quite frankly, one of the best jobs I’ve seen in years.
Many would’ve scrapped the car and called time on it, but James, Barry and Pete stuck at it and today Tupperware not only represents the interesting story of the 2CV but of her own and her second chance after such a horrible incident. - Авто та транспорт
There are few cars that are truly iconic. This is one of them.
And isn't Steph just a brilliant presenter?
A well spoken, well dressed, elegant lady! ❤
You’re way too sweet. Thank you x
And a damn good driver.
Excellent Steph, 2cv haters are generally those that haven’t driven one, nearly everyone that’s driven one for an hour thinks they’re great.
"I want these to go back into production. It's a car for the ages."
I agree. They should still produce them. A great alternative to the overly technical cars of today.
A new neighbour moved in and had a lovely restored Charleston. He was not going to drive it in the winter (Toronto, Canada) and it was left to sit under a very messy silver Maple. I finally knocked on his door and insisted that he store it in my garage because I didn't want it to fall victim to a falling limb (silver Maples are considered nuisance trees). I had a four car garage and even with the 2CV inside, I still had 3 1/2 spaces! Such an interesting shape.
@ianjay5301 What a lovely neighbour you are. I ❤️ Canadians!
All across Canada from November 1 to May 1 there are thousands of lovely cars including my 67 Mini Traveler banked up in dark spaces avoiding the dreaded winter road salt. So glad this little gem found a winter home! @@edwardkantowicz4707
One of these miracles of French automotive engineering.
I've had my 1988 2CV from new, and I drove a succession of Citroen Dyanes {a sorta posh 2CV} for 15 years before that.
Other cars will come & go, but my 2CV is my car for life.
I'm a motorcycle nut and have a 1976 BMW with a sidecar made by a Dutch company called EML. As part of the conversion, EML supplier smaller, 15- inch wheels. The tyres for these wheels? The same ones Michelin put on the 2Cv.
This gem was on the market for 41 years
1948-1990
Owned my Bamboo for 8 years this month and have loved every minute!! Fantastic fun to drive, great gear change, super smooth ride, comfy seats, easy to fix and get parts for, cheap to run and insure. Thanks for the video Steph...loved it!!
Bamboo?
We could do with a car now designed with as little as possible to go wrong.
I used to drive Honda Acty vans.Probably as minimalist as it's possible to get.
I’ve always admired Citroen’s innovation and willingness to take a chance with new ideas. This car meets its design brief spot on.
As a fairly recent owner of one I can say its the best fun at sensible speeds. You have to drive it hard to get progress but the design and engineering make it a classic that is simple to maintain that keeps up with modern traffic. Proper motoring
"I want these to go back into production. It's a car for the ages."
I really miss cars like this. No computerised so-and-so or electronic such-and-such, just straightforward, get from A to B and back again cars that pretty much everybody can afford to buy, run and keep for years (or indeed decades, if your surname is Hubnut lol). Bring back the 2CV, Moggy Minor, VW Beetle, etc.
Incidentally, one of my secondary school teachers drove a green and white 2CV Dolly for the 5 years I was there. His "weekend car" was a pristine MG TC.
"Allons-y, mes enfants!"
The 2cv will always have a place in my heart as I've owned 3 examples amongst many many Citroën's and i also have some good memories from the 2cvgb day's in the 90's ❤
It is a shame that all car manufacturers have given up on cheap, affordable and basic cars like the 2CV. Even the smallest cars like the C1/Aygo/108 have become technologically hindered and expensive for a cheap run around.
My 12 year old 107 is still a basic car with very little extra to go wrong but today's design has too many goodies added just increasing costs and repair bills.
Yeah, is it chicken of egg. It seems consumers want ridiculous oversized SUV and ute things. Is that because that’s what they want or manufacturers are leading it that way? Either way,hate the bloody things. Small economical and space efficient vehicles is what we need now.
Car manufacturers do it on purpose to make money out of us
Part of the problems is the safety legislation that make basic cars like the Beetle, 2CV and Renault 4 impossible to make at a cheap price.
@@pauld7827 Yep, the biggest problem is the safety regulation (crash tests), for only emisssions (injection+ cat) or braking (ABS) is the overcost limited...But the 2cv was not so chip to make because was hand made, no automation...
Totally agree. Time to start making these again, and other manufacturers should follow suit. Modern cars have become way too technical. We need to get back to inexpensive motoring. Better for the environment too.
I'm just going to say it.... These are my favourite cars ❤
The iconic car of many movies including the infamous opening car chase scene in the Bond film ' For Your Eyes Only' in which he thrashes a 2CV down hillsides, through trees and finally airborne! The indestructible 2CV, thanks for taking us along!
Ian Hub Nut would agree with you completely, Steph! Citroen was responsible for many of the most quirky and interesting cars ever produced.
I have long admired the 2CV, I believe it is time to own one.
Thanks for the great video.
From Oregon USA
Great video. I live in the US, and I plan on owning a 2CV someday. Helluva car
Thanks for sharing Steph. The nun in the 90s movie ”Madeline" drove one of these cars. There seems to be a number of iconic cars that were launched in 1948, the Land Rover, Morris Minor, Jaguar XK120, Citroen 2CV. 😊👍
Ah, that reminded me of the Spanish movie Sor Citroën.
Got to be one of the most sorted 2CVs out there. So glad James and his skilful pals were able to bring Tupperware back to life. That view down the bonnet is just fantastic. I can see exactly how 2CVs could get under people's skin. So well thought out, uncomplicated and with so much character.
The only thing that concerns me slightly is the heater tubes being made of cardboard. What could possibly go wrong?
The heater tubes was never a problem source: cost effective and light, no problems, a bit fragile, need to be replaced average all... 20 years (...) depending from the environnement...
Mechanical genius! Good fuel economy too!
It’s a winter car extraordinaire. It will plow through snow where other cars had surrendered.
Snow, sand or mud ready
We own one absolutely identical to this one - planning to drive it around France next spring. The only thing we've done is soundproof it with some Dynamat under the bonnet (like this one) but also bulkhead both sides and front floor which has actually made a significant difference on long journeys.
I love oddball cars, especially the 2cv!
Truly brilliant genius car
She's a little stunner, always wanted a 2cv.
I'd love a 2CV
They are still about to buy. Ebay or classic cars or other websites. I recommend 2cv shop for advice.
I saw 2cv Charleston in Hong Kong during the late 90s. It was used in a film.
I’m Amazed you never got around to driving Ians “Ellie” .. glad you got the chance to test drive one of these iconic cars ithough
Had one as my first car when I was 17. Have always had one since, along with many other cars that have come and gone.
When I was an exchange student in Salzburg back in the 1970s, I saw my first 2CV parked in front of the only place that was serving pizza at the time. I thought it was laughable, almost like something someone would come up with for a bad science fiction movie.
But over the decades since I've studied science and engineering, I've learned how much of this car was thought out. I don't think there's one square millimeter of it that they didn't carefully design. It was engineered to be uncomplicated, reliable, inexpensive, and durable transport, or what my grandfather called "elegant simplicity."
"The car was made for forty two years". That speaks volumes about the excellence of its design.
I love the fresh air vent. Simple, ingenious. It IS loud inside but I suppose you can't have everything.
FANTASTIC....I loved the overhead shot of the car as you are driving along. A great oration of what the car is like to drive. Your road tests I always enjoy watching. I was seeing a girl many years ago who had one of these, I always remember how comfortable it was and how it leaned on bends. Back up to your normal high standard, thank you for posting.
Fun little cars, these!! I've never had the chance to ride or drive one, but I've pushed one. That's at least something, right?
I have seen/heard/read lots about these cars, their mechanics and such, but them being the first car with radial tires was new to me! Thank you for informing me! :)
Thanks for uploading! Greetings from Sweden
I have owned 3 2CV's. Superb and well Engineered. They were built with Common-sense. The suspension was clever. When you turn a corner at speed. The Big Lean helps on cornering, the outside wheel base increases.
Best car ever ❤
If you can track one down, a Citroen GS would be another great car to feature. Dating from the early '70s, it has a flat-four air cooled engine and hydro-pneumatic suspension - so it combines features from both the 2CV and the DS, and to fabulous effect. To top it all off, the styling still looks modern today.
You'll love it so much that you won't want to give it back at the end of the shooting session!
One of the cutest cars ever made. I'm owner of one.
Kudos for simultaneously narrating the video while negotiating a roundabout and making the dogleg gear change!
Memories of Driving in the red 2cv my partner at the time had ,we drove through France to malaga and Gibraltar .
In 1989 from Bournemouth via the ferry from Portsmouth. Was quite an adventure. Great car and great fun .
Up Hubnut's street. 29bhp isn't much for a car but the 2CV would do 70mph all day long and now the likes of Burton are offering parts to make the engines quicker like rebore kits, turbo's etc or even Sparrow Automotive who do BMW flat twin engine conversions which triples the horse power yet the standard box can handle the power. 2CV's are flimsy but mechanically well engineered.
As a frog, I love your pronunciation of french names Steph. I really do. Sounds really nice, so British! You're so well spoken, truly pleasant to listen to you.
Thank you for your quality work! You do those great cars justice !
Warm regards
Nice to see that car up and running and looking so good.
Great film Steph. I’ve had my 2CV for nearly 4 years, I’ve never kept any car so long and don’t see me getting rid of it any time soon. Says it all really 😀
Brilliant review as always Steph! My teacher used to have one of these when I was school in the late 80s. Just the same colour. It's mad to think these were commonplace not so many years ago as peoples everyday transport.
Uber cool car and such a hoot to drive. We have had two and my partner was once stopped by the police as he took a corner and they thought he was drunk because of the lean ! It is just great fun keeping that engine on the boil. And-such a practical car to boot. I did a long drive down to France where we live now and was dreading it but you soon get used to the lorries. chasing you up hills and also tucking in behind them. I thought I would be knackered as my daily driver at the time was a nice Audi S5. However I was not tired. Maybe due to the fact that you actually have to drive a 2CV and anticipate. Brilliant piece of engineering
Thanks Steph for this presentation ! Your pleasure driving it is really noticeable, a pleasure to watch ! Keep on Citroën motoring !
I have seen James’ 2CV around on social media, but I didn’t know about its name 😂
Great review! I’m the happy owner of a Dyane, which is also practically a 2CV, and I love it to bits. Have been driving it for a little over a year now, and I would like to drive it around Europe as well. Also love that there’s a great supportive community of 2CV drivers, including HubNut and Oliver Pickard!
Mine is almost identical to this, but has the rectangular headlights. The “battery check light” is actually the brake fluid level check. You are a delightful presenter.
I love my mum's Citroen Dyane. She's 82 and doesn't drive anymore, but it's still her car.
I bought a 2CV and have not regretted it. It does fine as a daily driver and will sit at 60 all day. I would also like a Minor, but can't have both. Potholes? No problem.
My Aunti owned red C reg 2CV 6 Special in the early 90's.
It's a car I had pretty much discounted, that is until a week ago.
I had the pleasure of driving one in the Dales and though I pride myself on being able to drive most things the 2CV does as you said feel very alien the un initiated.
After about 30 miles of twisty roads and steep hills though something clicked and the car was so much fun.
The ride is exceptional too.
Cracking review Steph, thanks for posting 👍
I’ve never really got the 2CV, but I always see the smile on Ian’s face when he’s driving Elly so they must be fun.
One of the days I may get to drive one, and drive down a really twisty road.
The fewer "goblin things" to go wrong, the better. That's why I dislike most modern cars so much.
At last! You got to drive a 2CV - and its a good one too! So happy that you are a fan of these Citroens and its great to see one driving along as it should be. Was it James or Fred hanging out of the roof for the overhead driving footage?!!
I loved my 2CV, the most fun you could have on 4 wheels, she (Fifi) had a real personality and I wish I'd not sold her. Sadly, the metal-munchies got to her and it would have cost more than I could afford at the time to put right. The previous owner had taken his family on holiday to Sicily in her, yes, he drove from the Midlands all the way there and back with four people in her, Ok, two were kids but it still counts with luggage! I still miss her, except in winter, the heater, or lack of, made winter driving less than pleasant, but if you dressed appropriately it was ok-ish! Thanks for posting this, it brought back many happy memories and a 2CV smile to my face.
In the 80's I had 2 2CV's and a Dyane - to be honest I preferred the Dyane
Am i right in thinking Darren that the Dyane is a posh and more comfort orientated 2cv ?. Same mechanically as 2 cv
you are @@davidlovatt2335 I think it was a posh supplement perhaps intended to replace the 2CV but as often happens the original outlives the young upstart
Many thanks for your reply Darren. Much appreciated
Hubnut will be pleased you said he has owned one for several decades 🤣
I brought a new Dolly in the early 80’s red & gray from California, Citroen Birmingham, I owned it for a number of years before trading it in in 89 for a red & white Dolly . The difference between the earlier 80s car and the later 80s car was really significant in quality, the latter being nowhere near the quality of my first car . And as a medical student in Birmingham, all round Selly Oak, the main Student all you seen was 2cvs everywhere
proper car.. and I want one!
It was a great review, and I travelled in a friend's 2CV about 29-30 years ago, and it was very comfortable too.
When I was a kid we always had 2 or 3 tins of Smith and Kendon Travel Sweets in the car. It seems they no longer exist but they came in those round gold coloured tins.
I had mine new from 1983 until 1987 , wish i had one now!
Nice to see you out of the museum. As much as I like the look of the place, and can't wait to go. However, cars are better on the road!
I bought one for £400 in the 90s when I visited the UK, and drove it for a few months. Loved that car! Seats came out easily for camp sites. I also remember being surprised by a roundabout that I entered at way too high a speed, but she just leaned over and cruised around it. I wanted to bring her back to South Africa, but a friend borrowed it and then got deported for working without a permit, so I lost all trace of her.
The 2Cv is more reliable than certain friends.
I learned to drive in a Citroen Dyane - loved it ! My friends all thought it was hilarious but they didn't appreciate how comfy they are until I gave them a lift.
Great review, thanks Steph
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! Thank you, Steph, for another great video.
I’ve been waiting for a long time for you to make à vidéo on the 2CV, my absolute favorite car. Great review!!
What I learned to drive in. Fantastic video and a tribute to a great car.
I've never driven one but I have been a passenger in one. The bodyroll was tremendous. You think it's going to roll over but they just don't!
In normal road condition it's impossible to roll a 2cv over...many tried, but no one succeeded, except the cheaters who did it backwards...
Great car... I had 2 friends who drove it, one the Dyane model and the other the Charleston...
Great review Steph. I would really like one but they are quite expensive here in New Zealand and quite rare.
Loved the video shots from above when you was driving, brave camera man .great video.
2 CV is an icon. You can(could?) get lots of extra power with aftermarket inlet manifold. The mixture has a very tortuos way to the cylinder with the original one.
Great review Steph. I am getting spoilt with this Citroen content. Bit surprised farmers would be driving around at night with two pigs in the back. However, each to his own I guess. …….. 🤔
A great review Steph of a car that I've wanted for longer than I can remember. I've been in a few as a passenger but never driven one. Hopefully at some point I'll realise my dream of getting one but prices are on the up for a good one or even a project car. I've been a subscriber to Ian's channel for quite a while and it always makes me smile when Elle is out on the road. Many thanks for sharing.
Ive had 3 of these, absolutly amazing car
I still have the brochure for the 2CV from the mid 80s which is a TinTin cartoon strip showing all the benefits of the car, and it had a lot for a £2799 car.
Lovely video Steph
got to love it steph
Thank you so much for being a ‘convert’ to a true car for people to just get around in and enjoy going places. You have just shown that a 2CV is a charming and useful little car, yet frugal in every way. Well done; and I so prefer it when you get back to taking one of your many uniquely interesting finds for a proper outing on lovely open roads. Great video.
Great video - was there a Hubnut Triangle of Doom thing going on with the wipers? Seriously though French cars always seem to get the seats right. My mate had a Renault 4 back in the day, fantastically comfortable seats. More generally, isn't there something satisfying about going back to basics? No complicated Infotainment stuff going on - great stuff.
I remember standing up on the rear seat hairs in the wind, another world. From France 🇫🇷😁
An icon of a car. I need to have a go in one of these. Nice vid
2CV is a gorgeous car 😊🎉🎉🎉
Brilliant video Steph. It was between choosing a 2CV or a Morris Minor and I went for the Morris Minor but would love to add a 2CV in the future 😊
Good luck with the channel in 2024 👍👍👍
2CVS are awesome cars much as I have never owned and driven one they are lovely cars from what I have learnt from people who have owned them
Absolutely beautiful both of them 😊
I became a little bit obsessed with these in the 1980s from age 10 or so. However, when I became old enough to drive one I completely dismissed them. More fool me. I'd love to have a go in a 2CV. 😀
Great video thanks for sharing 👍. ❤
Yay! I've been waiting for this since I've been watching you!
Have owned my current 2CV since April 2002. When bought it was sitting on 70k miles, it's now on 275k miles. Your pronunciations were not too far off. Deux Chevaux is Dur chev-oh, Bolanger is Boo-lan-jay, and Lefèbvre is Le-fehv. There were two other individuals you should know about when it comes to the 2CV development; one is Flaminio Bertoni (not to be confused by Bertone), who designed the bodywork. The other is Walter Becchia, who designed the original 375cc engine and the gearbox. Both were Italian by birth, so the 2CV could be described as half-French/half-Italian 😄
If you want to test drive a pre-war, vintage Morris Minor then give me a shout.
From 70k miles to 275k miles, wow. Did you have to rebuild engine and/or transmission?
Can you tell a bit more about repairs/maintenance?
Thanks.
I've never owned on but do enjoy them when I'm given the chance. I think you either love 'em or hate 'em. How can you not love a wackey Citroen though? Another good one Steph.
Marvellous. I will enjoy if you make a video parking the 2cv in differents ways. Kisses from Spain.
Had one of the last Dolly's produced. My wife threatened to divorce me if I didn't get something more up market. They where super little cars great in snow.
When I sold it the guy checking it out was the head of the 22CVGB club. He bought Paddy Hopkirk with him. They wanted a top notch example to go into Paddy's museum collection.
Don't know about the best car of the 1940s: probably the best car ever for what it offered, what it cost and what it did. Apart from front wheel drive, no radiator, interconnected front and rear suspension, removeable seating, and radial tyres, it also had inboard disc brakes and one of mine had a sort of auto transmission on 1st and 2nd gear - no need to use the clutch to start off. Faults? Yes the canvas roof developed leaks and the heater was somewaht ineffecient (to put it mildly) BUT it did so much perfectly.
If you enjoyed that you need a drive of a 2cv racecar!