Friday 10 September 2010

Citroen 2CV

I spotted this cute little 1983 Citroen in Tullamore. The 2cv was produced by the French auto company from 1948 to 1990 and although it took on many guises the basic shape and mechanics changed little over 42 years of production.

Pierre-Jules Boulanger's early 1930s design brief, (after a pioneering market research survey done by Jacques Duclos), was to be astonishingly radical for the time, was for a low-priced, rugged "umbrella on four wheels" that would enable two peasants to drive 100 kg (220 lb) of farm goods to market at 60 km/h (37 mph), in clogs and across muddy unpaved roads if necessary. France at that time had a very large rural population, who had not yet adopted the automobile, due to its cost. The car would use no more than 3 L of gasoline to travel 100 km (78 MPG). Most famously, it would be able to drive across a ploughed field without breaking the eggs it was carrying.
Boulanger later also had the roof raised to allow him to drive while wearing a hat.

Call me crazy - but if I had a choice between the brand new Seat (parked behind) or the 2CV ... I would choose the 2CV without any hesitation!
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6 comments:

faye said...

I would so love to drive one of those.

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

I drove one for years and years! My first was bright yellow, the second red and grey. Great fun, but you could never be inconspicuous.

Valerie said...

What a beauty. In those days I was always confused about makes of cars but always recognised the Citreon by it's frog-like appearance.
I wouldn't call you crazy...

Zuzana said...

I love your sentimental expression about vintage cars.;)) Cute it is, I do agree.;)
Have a lovely Friday dear friend,
xoxo

Maja Miusow said...

its a beauty, no doubt!

Anonymous said...

Glad you like the car...it's mine!

Graham, Tullamore.