Citroen 2CV6 Special.
Discussion
I'm changing jobs, and will be losing my company car imminently, so my Skoda Fabia vRS 1.4TSI/7spd DSG will be going, and I need a new daily driver/commuter car. So I've done the sensible thing, and bought a Citroen 2CV6 Special 
I considered a few rough cars, and some basket cases, then worked my way through some sensibly priced cars in reasonable and usable all round condition, and I missed a couple that got sold in quick succession. Then I saw an ad for a one owner 1990 'G' registered 13,000 mile car at a Classic car dealers, which I've bought
The car was bought new by a gent in York, from the Citroen dealer in York. I have the original deal file from the dealer, with the new car invoice, the used car purchase invoice (a 1986 'D' registration 2CV) for the part exchange, and it's even got the one month cover note from the customer that the dealer used to tax and register it. As well as brochures and other bits & bobs from the time. The owners pack is complete, as is the service history, but there ain't much of that, as the car was used as normal for two years and 12,000 miles, then, for reasons as yet unknown, was put away and has not turned a wheel until now.
The service book shows the PDI, the 1000 mile service, the 6000 mile service, and 12000 mile service which was done at 10029 miles.
When I picked it up yesterday, it had 12159 on the clock, so the run home from York to Derby was the first long run it's had since 1992. There are a few issues, but overall it runs fine, it just needs a little fettling and using
Good points:
One owner.
Low mileage.
Full history.
The chassis is as new.
No rot in the floor or anywhere else.
No rust.
Interior very good.
All original and as it should be.
Not been messed about with.
Bad points (which aren't really bad points at all):
It's on the original Michelin 125x15 tyres at 22 years old, so they're going to have to go.
The front end has been painted, as the stone chips that peppered the front of the car had erupted into something else after 20 years in storage. It's not a good paint job, it's thick and shiny, but there's loads of crap in it and badly flatted runs.
It needs a damned good fettling from front to back and top to bottom. Lots of things need lubricating, adjusting and setting up properly. It doesn't really drive as well as I feel it should.
Pinch. Salt. Taken.
I've got the Haynes manual, I've got the restoration guide. I'm in the 2CVGB club and I'm making new chums.
It is a hoot to drive, I really like it, it makes you smile
Now, I need a name for it. We've decided it's male gender, and it's French but built in Portugal. So if anyone has any ideas, please post.
I considered a few rough cars, and some basket cases, then worked my way through some sensibly priced cars in reasonable and usable all round condition, and I missed a couple that got sold in quick succession. Then I saw an ad for a one owner 1990 'G' registered 13,000 mile car at a Classic car dealers, which I've bought
The dealer advert said:
Please note that this is probably the best original 2CV available in the world.
Well, it wasn't, not by a long way. But it was a genuine decent honest little car with great provenance, so I went ahead and bought it anyway.The car was bought new by a gent in York, from the Citroen dealer in York. I have the original deal file from the dealer, with the new car invoice, the used car purchase invoice (a 1986 'D' registration 2CV) for the part exchange, and it's even got the one month cover note from the customer that the dealer used to tax and register it. As well as brochures and other bits & bobs from the time. The owners pack is complete, as is the service history, but there ain't much of that, as the car was used as normal for two years and 12,000 miles, then, for reasons as yet unknown, was put away and has not turned a wheel until now.
The service book shows the PDI, the 1000 mile service, the 6000 mile service, and 12000 mile service which was done at 10029 miles.
When I picked it up yesterday, it had 12159 on the clock, so the run home from York to Derby was the first long run it's had since 1992. There are a few issues, but overall it runs fine, it just needs a little fettling and using
Good points:
One owner.
Low mileage.
Full history.
The chassis is as new.
No rot in the floor or anywhere else.
No rust.
Interior very good.
All original and as it should be.
Not been messed about with.
Bad points (which aren't really bad points at all):
It's on the original Michelin 125x15 tyres at 22 years old, so they're going to have to go.
The front end has been painted, as the stone chips that peppered the front of the car had erupted into something else after 20 years in storage. It's not a good paint job, it's thick and shiny, but there's loads of crap in it and badly flatted runs.
It needs a damned good fettling from front to back and top to bottom. Lots of things need lubricating, adjusting and setting up properly. It doesn't really drive as well as I feel it should.
The dealer advert said:
fully re-commissioned and serviced.
Pinch. Salt. Taken.
I've got the Haynes manual, I've got the restoration guide. I'm in the 2CVGB club and I'm making new chums.
It is a hoot to drive, I really like it, it makes you smile
Now, I need a name for it. We've decided it's male gender, and it's French but built in Portugal. So if anyone has any ideas, please post.
Having just had the pleasure of a trip around Derbyshire in Woz's new runabout I have to say that it's an absolute little gem It's such a refreshing reminder of what cars used to be like, when they were machines rather than lifestyle accessories, before the marketing and H&S people started calling the shots. It's comfy, rides very well (though the cornering angles are somewhat interesting ) and because it weighs little more than a damp handkerchief, the 26 horsepower the engine musters is not nearly as asthmatic as you'd imagine. It's simple and unpretentious and wonderful.
Wanders off to look at classics in the classifieds
It's such a refreshing reminder of what cars used to be like, when they were machines rather than lifestyle accessories, before the marketing and H&S people started calling the shots. It's comfy, rides very well (though the cornering angles are somewhat interesting ) and because it weighs little more than a damp handkerchief, the 26 horsepower the engine musters is not nearly as asthmatic as you'd imagine. It's simple and unpretentious and wonderful.Wanders off to look at classics in the classifieds
I won't miss the Fabia. If it were a 6 spd manual, it would be a great car, but with the dire 7spd DSG, it's awful. I've ranted many a time about how much I hate that particular 7spd DSG derivative and it's idiotic programming and no manual control function over the last 18 months, so I won't go into it again.
Is your Bentley a G reg?
You've got one of (if not the cheapest) new cars from 1989 and one of the most expensive.
Great car and super unusual with regards to the mileage and zero previous keepers. Keep the thread updated, it'll be interesting to see how you get on.
I imagine you'll get somewhere around 50mpg providing it's not too hilly where you are.
Depreciation proof motoring
You've got one of (if not the cheapest) new cars from 1989 and one of the most expensive.
Great car and super unusual with regards to the mileage and zero previous keepers. Keep the thread updated, it'll be interesting to see how you get on.
I imagine you'll get somewhere around 50mpg providing it's not too hilly where you are.
Depreciation proof motoring
Over the years I've had several 2CV's and each one, without a doubt, has been an utter shed! Equally, each one I've adored beyond reason! I'd love another but just cannot get my head round the prices they now fetch - my last one was £150 with no mot and £200 a few days later with 12 months.
My current wife thinks they are awesome little things and wouldn't mind if I swapped the Merc for one - but then, she is frighteningly weird... as am I.
I recall vividly trying desperately to build up speed to climb the long steep hill out of Exeter on the A38 dual carriageway, in the absolutely steaming rain and getting overtaken by an artic so closely that the bloody roof blew off. I was left holding the roof with one hand and the wheel in the other while trying to stay dry(ish) and still get up that bloody hill! Great fun.
Enjoy mate and call it "Hercule".
My current wife thinks they are awesome little things and wouldn't mind if I swapped the Merc for one - but then, she is frighteningly weird... as am I.
I recall vividly trying desperately to build up speed to climb the long steep hill out of Exeter on the A38 dual carriageway, in the absolutely steaming rain and getting overtaken by an artic so closely that the bloody roof blew off. I was left holding the roof with one hand and the wheel in the other while trying to stay dry(ish) and still get up that bloody hill! Great fun.
Enjoy mate and call it "Hercule".
Brilliant little car and looks real tidy.
I once had a light blue one AKA PJ (Puddle Jumper).
It was brutally murdered when I was T Boned by a guy in a Ford Scorpio.
1. you can modify the wipers to park on the passenger side. undo the arm on the motor and rotate it 180 degrees.
2. many people forget that these things have points. Adjusting/replacing them will help with the running.
I once had a light blue one AKA PJ (Puddle Jumper).
It was brutally murdered when I was T Boned by a guy in a Ford Scorpio.
1. you can modify the wipers to park on the passenger side. undo the arm on the motor and rotate it 180 degrees.
2. many people forget that these things have points. Adjusting/replacing them will help with the running.
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