SNAIL

marcusj · Dropped Joined: 25 Jul 2010 Posts: 177

It is now almost twenty years ago since I last owned a 2CV. After a number of other rides, not least several motorbikes, other Citroêns, Minis etc, it is at last 2CV time again.

I tried to buy my old 2CV back – it has actually been sitting in the same spot since I sold it in 1991 – overlooking a lake in Northern Sweden with a miniscule tarp covering the roof. The elderly gentleman however was reluctant to sell – intends to keep it as a donor car for the 60s 2CV he might restore sometime for his 83 year old wife…. Well I ran out of patience.

Instead I found a local car – a Dolly with some need of repairs after a visit to a deep ditch (a slightly bent front leg) and with a gearbox sounding like a stone grinder – I will take care of these issues this week with a replacement gearbox and some force on the member via a heavy neighbor.

But I of course had to start the project in the aesthetic department, by exorcising the Dolly personality. With the help of some primer on rims and trunk lid, the forum stencils here and there, an old Miller fog light found in the attic (yes not very French) and ripped of bumpers, it is now well on the way towards something I can relate to. A mild lowering is also in the plans.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KsyXOmCKWPo/TEyYqcytWWI/AAAAAAAAAHg/0pnrVTE8BT4/s1600/20100721(005)+edited.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KsyXOmCKWPo/TEyYxlYRgZI/AAAAAAAAAHo/SsPR8P2sRaM/s1600/20100721(006)+turned+edited.jpg

During the dark and cold nordic winter I will take care of some body rust and also weld up the rear side windows to get that early 2CV feeling. The interior also needs a concept – any ideas?? Perhaps my old NOS Hurét bicycle speedometer and a general "unplastifying" to begin with – we shall see.

By the way, my other rides:

The Renault Clio Electrique 1997 – electric car which is my daily commuter for taking wife and three kids to school, work etc.

The 1998 Xantia “summer car” for long hauls.

The Moto Guzzi V7 silver flake “clone” – a converted 850-T, now with much louder pipes than in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyuSOZFyWAU

Cheers!
Marcus

JoZeF · Grave Digger Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 1734

hey

that's a cool sober 2cv you've got.

I think maybe you should fit bumpers back on, though... 2cv isn't the best car to take them off from.

throw a 1960 grille on it and it would add a little more style to the front (I won't go into talking about rear lights and front indicators cause your car is obvisouly driveable and not an ongoing project but it's quite nice as is.

welcome here
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"That bumper fits there like sunglasses on pig" Laughing

O.E.

marcusj · Dropped Joined: 25 Jul 2010 Posts: 177

Thanks!

Yes, I think you are right. The old type slim bumpers are sweet and I´ll probably go for one like that. The 60's grille is also neat - the plastic grille has to go for sure.

Change of lower section beneath trunk lid to "old-style" panel is also in the plans, either fitted with original lights or with something like Pontiac 1950 rear lights (but perhaps smaller in diameter). A general doing away of/hiding of indicators as you suggest is also "necessary".

And any thoughts on welding up the rearmost windows - I'm probably going to have to do that as well to get the look I want

/Marcus

JoZeF · Grave Digger Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 1734

Sounds like you are planning some nice sober mods.

I think it's not shocking if you keep the rear windows . If you were to choose from the things you plan it would be the one thing to keep, in a sense, compared to the other mods. After all, these were offered for sale by accessory suppliers in the 50s so you do see old 2cvs from time to time with the extra window.
_________________
"That bumper fits there like sunglasses on pig" Laughing

O.E.