RE: Chris Harris video: Citroen 2CV
Discussion
Chris can make a classic 2CV sound really quite appealing. I think he's enjoying it in the same way I liked driving my '69 Fiat500 and slightly later air-cooled 126, and scooters too. Unlike other gangs of journos - Chris treats all vehicles on their merits, considers function over form, and evaluates them without prejudice - good work every time and I enjoyed that review, and was pleasantly surprised to see such and old tin snail having a jolly good workout.
Wife had a Charleston around 1987 - I seem to remember it having to have a thick blanket over the engine in winter so it'd start in the morning.
And a milk crate full of bricks in the boot to keep it (a bit more) stable in cross winds.
I never got to grips with that gear stick though...
And a milk crate full of bricks in the boot to keep it (a bit more) stable in cross winds.
I never got to grips with that gear stick though...
Brilliant, I want one. Years ago I had a Citroen Visa Club with the 652cc engine from the 2CV. It was great, a real throttle "switch", you were either on or off the pedal, nothing in between. My wife used it for the school run with my daughter and numerous friends, and thrashed it. My daughter learned to drive in it and thrashed it, and then it became her car and she thrashed it some more. Eventually, she gave it to her boyfriend, who ended its life banger racing.
Sorry, gone off topic there, but all hail Citroen and the 2CV!
Sorry, gone off topic there, but all hail Citroen and the 2CV!
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YES! I Need to read the evo hatch hatch thing with the AX in. 722KG and 85hp = fun.Chris has a truly varied automotive diet!
I think Id still be a hooligan with underpowered cars and get an original Abarth 500, 19hp! In the end they had 38bhp from the 695 SS - Monster! Serious want for one of those. Scary levels of it.
Rear engine, Rwd 500kg car with 19 bhp and little tiny tires, PHs perfect car?
Awesome video Chris.
I loved that, one of the best things I've watched in a long time!
That car just looks so "right" in every way and the enjoyment and enthusiasm of Chris is obvious.
The closest I've experienced, in recent years, was my Series III Land Rover. I knew I had no real power or performance and it changed my attitude (not that it's bad to start with!). Instead, relax and enjoy the experience, the noises, the smells and the sensation of machinery working in response to inputs. Passengers relax and smile and so do other road users.
Speed matters, but it needn't always be high...
That car just looks so "right" in every way and the enjoyment and enthusiasm of Chris is obvious.
The closest I've experienced, in recent years, was my Series III Land Rover. I knew I had no real power or performance and it changed my attitude (not that it's bad to start with!). Instead, relax and enjoy the experience, the noises, the smells and the sensation of machinery working in response to inputs. Passengers relax and smile and so do other road users.
Speed matters, but it needn't always be high...
In a modern car, the mechanisms and machinery that cause the vehicle to move are so obscurificated from the driver, that they really don't understand or feel how the car actually works, cars like this 2cv (and i'd include things like early series Landrovers etc) make you realise what you are taking from granted in a modern car as you bomb around the place ;-)
I love low powered cars as there is a skill to driving them.
I have driven a few 2CVs but most of them were 602cc and performance was "adequate". There was a previous comment that a 2CV was a complete car - fit for purpose; with anything less it would not function and anything more would be gilding the lily. My Morgan 4/4 is a bit like that - a minimum acceptable sports car.
I have driven a few 2CVs but most of them were 602cc and performance was "adequate". There was a previous comment that a 2CV was a complete car - fit for purpose; with anything less it would not function and anything more would be gilding the lily. My Morgan 4/4 is a bit like that - a minimum acceptable sports car.
I love low powered cars as there is a skill to driving them.
I have driven a few 2CVs but most of them were 602cc and performance was "adequate". There was a previous comment that a 2CV was a complete car - fit for purpose; with anything less it would not function and anything more would be gilding the lily. My Morgan 4/4 is a bit like that - a minimum acceptable sports car.
I have driven a few 2CVs but most of them were 602cc and performance was "adequate". There was a previous comment that a 2CV was a complete car - fit for purpose; with anything less it would not function and anything more would be gilding the lily. My Morgan 4/4 is a bit like that - a minimum acceptable sports car.
This video made me laugh a little and smile a bit. That's the point of the car I guess. It has a certain charm but I could never own one. Doesn't mean I wouldn't want to drive one though, just for the experience.
In many ways I'd rather ride a slow motorbike at this level of 'performance' and 'comfort'!
In many ways I'd rather ride a slow motorbike at this level of 'performance' and 'comfort'!
Daniel Constant said:
so, what's it like on a track then?
Pretty good by all accounts http://www.2cvracing.org.uk/gallery
I love everything except that I think I might hanker for a SLIGHTLY more powerful engine (no shortage of options) - just because, well, with that level of crash safety I'd like to have SOME options. We'd still be talking 'slow' but we'd be talking 'slow with options'.
and I live somewhere relatively flat - Chris lives in Wales ffs!?
p.s. the cornering shot in the video made me actually laugh-out-loud - amazing stuff
and I live somewhere relatively flat - Chris lives in Wales ffs!?
p.s. the cornering shot in the video made me actually laugh-out-loud - amazing stuff
DS240 said:
I totally understand the attraction of a 2CV. I would love to own one.
Think Chris needs to sample a Citroen Mahari for even more impractical slow action.. and arguably a rarer classic.
And immensely ugly. Okay, the 2CV is no princess... but the Mahari would be the one legged bearded female troglodyte that leaves a Hull nightclub without even a quick feel on a Friday night.Think Chris needs to sample a Citroen Mahari for even more impractical slow action.. and arguably a rarer classic.
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