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BUYING GUIDE 1948-1990 CITROEN 2CV It vies with the Mini and the Beetle for the title of the greatest people’s car of the 20th century. Here’s how to buy a legend, not a saga You either love the Citroën 2CV or you don’t understand it. It’s a true people’s car, designed to mobilise France after WWII. You have to approach it very differently to any other car – it drives, sounds and feels like no other. However, once you get to grips with it, little else will put such a big smile on your face. It’s more about comfort and practicality than outright performance, so extracting the best out of it means adapting your driving style to suit. Most classic car clubs offer genuine cameraderie, but 2CV owners take it to a whole new level with loud and entertaining events where you’re always greeted with warmth and laughter. Where to get one Very few of the earliest 375cc, 425cc or 435cc 2CVs survive, even in Europe – most have the later 602cc unit. Few are imported from France these days because left-hand drive isn’t very popular in the UK. The 2CV Shop’s Darren Arthur advises, ‘If you’re shopping in France, watch out for overpriced cars.’ Many buyers focus on special editions such as the Charleston, Dolly, Bamboo and Beachcomber, but while all are desirable they’re not necessarily worth more. Earlier lower-powered cars, with their six-volt electrics and drum brakes appeal less to those looking for a daily driver. What to look for: bodywork The wings, bonnet, bootlid and doors suffer the worst battering and therefore the most rust, but good quality new replacements are cheap, plentiful PRACTICAL CLASSIC? OUR WEEK WITH A 2CV We lived with a late 2CV Special for a week, using it for the daily commute, shopping trips and weekend jaunts. As expected, it proved itself to be a car that delivers common sense by the bucketload, being fuel-effcient and practical. Contrary to first appearances, the 2CV is actually an advanced piece of engineering. Its revvy, unburstable two-cylinder unit merely sips from the plastic fuel tank. The engine is mounted low in the car for stability, while composure is assisted by front-wheel drive and independent suspension all round. It leans dramatically in corners, but it really sticks. Little else rides this well; you won’t believe how a 2CV ignores surface irregularities. Four-wheel hydraulic brakes are sharp and the rack-and-pinion steering effective. Even basic models came with a heater and a four-speed gearbox. Once mastered, you’ll wonder why all gearshifts aren’t this precise and satisfying. Go for a picnic and remove the seats (just unclip and lift out). Crawl through traffc and bask in the smiles of other drivers. Head into the snow (trust me, I’ve tried this myself in my own Dyane) and marvel at the car’s ability to grip through the cold stuff. We drove at 68mph, roof down and foot flat to the floor and marvelled at the fact we still got 40mpg. I can’t force you to be convinced, of course. But I can vouch for one of the best fanbases you’ll ever meet. 2CV people are extremely nice people. JW 2CVs love British roads, too. Production line How the 2CV grew from tin snail to design icon 1948 The 2CV Type A 1953 Right-hand drive 1958 The twin-engined 1960 Slough production appears at the production starts 4WD Sahara stops. A fiveribbed Paris Salon; on sale in 1949. The AU Fourgonette van is launched in 1951 and lasts until 1978! at Citroën’s factory in Slough. During 1954, the AZ debuts with a 425cc engine and all of 12bhp. appears. 694 of these have been made by 1967. bonnet replaces the corrugated item. Glassfibre UK-only Bijou on sale; just 211 are sold. 90 DECEMBER 2015 // PRACTICAL CLASSICS www.practicalclassics.co.uk
Engine Test engines were run constantly for 1000 hours at full throttle (the equivalent of 50,000 miles) with no damage recorded. They can last for 300,000 miles if maintained properly. Quote from Lancaster Insurance 45-year old male, postcode PE27, garaged, second car, club member, clean driving history. 1985 2CV, valued at £5000. £77.54 or £94.54 including agreed value. Brought to you by Lancaster Insurance. Call for a quote today on 01480 220071. Panels Replacement doors, bonnet and bootlid are readily available, cheap to buy and extremely easy to fit. Six window design launched in 1965. and generally simple to fit – in fact, you can remove and refit them with the wheel brace! Expect to find rust in the box under the rear seat, the boot floor and number plate panel. The sills are known to dissolve, too, so check by pressing hard along their entire length – cracking sounds or any discernible give means they’re rotten. The floors are as easy to replace if you’re handy with a welder – and that’s with or without the sills or body in situ. All 2CV chassis corrode alarmingly easily. Fully galvanised replacements start from £400 but those made from original tooling are nearer £1400. This is because the factory chassis is a big box section, whereas aftermarket ones tend to comprise two C-section side rails with removable top and bottom plates. ➽ THE 2CV MARKET You’ll rarely find a decent 2CV for less than £2000 these days. Original ‘ripple bonnet’ 425cc models from 1948 are commanding eye-watering prices – we’re talking anything from £5000 for a wreck to £15,000 plus for a typical Fifties 2CV. A post-1981 model with disc brakes and the 602cc engine (from 1962) is considered better for daily use. Special editions such as the Spot, £6k £5k £4k £3k £2k 2010 1985 2CV (602cc)-good condition Bamboo, Beachcomber, Dolly, Charleston and 007 (complete with fake bullet holes) add value and the Spécial model – identified by its simple red, white or blue paint – is the most 1965 2CV (Ripple bonnet) good condition 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 ubiquitous of them all. Rebuilt cars sell for £10,000 or more, but a complete, sound, honest mid-Eighties 2CV Spécial with a galvanised chassis can be found for about £4000. CLASSIC CAR INSURANCE Up to 25% discount for car club members 01480 220 071 To subscribe to <strong>PC</strong> go to www.greatmagazines.co.uk/practicalclassics PRACTICAL CLASSICS // DECEMBER 2015 91
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Page 3 and 4: 2CV buying: oui ou non? - p90. 130
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Page 15 and 16: THE SAINTS Jaguar XJ-S Engine 5343c
Page 17 and 18: Step-by-step video workshop courses

PC December Issue

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