Oh No!, A Breeding Pair!

[Bush Tucker Man]

I was out on my bike yesterday & twice passed through the Sherburn-in-Elmet area, on the FerryBridge - Tadcaster turn-pike (A162)

On the 'way out', heading up the A162 into Sherburn itself, a red 2CV passed me by the 'Bon Viveur' (French restaurant), it's a long time since I'd see one (thankfully)

Then.... as I returned over the road from Lotherton Hall/Saxton/Hookmoor Corner, a white/yellow one puttered past


Let's hope they never meet! 8-[ 8-[

[V8MoneyPit]

Now, now, Richard......

They are excellent machines. I had one for 4-5 years and loved it. I've never driven anything else that left me smiling so much... and I've been lucky enough to drive some exotic cars in my time.

But 15,000 miles a year was a bit heavy going for the old girl, so she had to go.

But, I grant you, you either love them or hate them  :lol:

[Disco Matt]

The older 1950s/60s examples were a lot better put together than the Portugese-built later cars.

My parents have an F reg (Portugese built) one which has sat dead in the garage for over ten years. In the time it was running the engine had to come apart so often that most of the threads stripped, and it was eventually mothballed as the gearbox suffered a catastrophic failure and jammed in fourth.

[blackbob]

great for off roading and thy do a 4x4 kit

[V8MoneyPit]

The older 1950s/60s examples were a lot better put together than the Portugese-built later cars.

Mine was one of the last Paris built cars in 1987. The build quality wasn't exactly brilliant then either! I had a galvanised chassis fitted (one days work!!) which was a huge improvement. It handled better because the old chassis flexed so much  :shock:

The quality of engine build (prior to the move to Portugal) was amazing. There are no gaskets at all, including head gaskets. No sealant or anything. The build tolerances were so good, they didn't need them! And the same bhp as an 850 Mini, but with half the cylinders and 3/4 of the capacity. And they could run flat out all day long with no trouble at all. Amazing little engines. I used to drive up and down the A11 to Stansted airport regularly. Stick your foot hard on the floor and keep it there at 70mph all the way. Never missed a beat. You couldn't do that in an 850 Mini.... I know, I've tried  :oops: 8-[

[Bush Tucker Man]

And to my total amazement, I saw another pair today on a driveway :shock:

I'd been out on the bike & was heading home, cutting through Royston (South Yorkshire, not the pretender in Hertfordshire), there they stood on my left as I approached the 'Oliver Twist' pub.

It was a red one, & a yellow one............

Spooky co-incidence, but it was a 'solid' yellow, not a two-tone like yesterdays


So, there's more than on breeding pair, "Argghhhh!"

great for off roading and thy do a 4x4 kit

Was it the Sahara that was the twin-engined version?, with the Mehari being the single-engined model?

The older 1950s/60s examples were a lot better put together than the Portugese-built later cars.

The quality of engine build (prior to the move to Portugal) was amazing. There are no gaskets at all, including head gaskets. No sealant or anything. The build tolerances were so good, they didn't need them!

Yes, I've read that about their fabled build tolerances in that regard.


I'll admit I do like the look of its 'competitor'/rival, the Renault 4

[Pete5844 as was]

Changing gear is just pot luck and in a crash they open on impact but great fun in the snow. :D

[V8MoneyPit]

Changing gear is just pot luck and in a crash they open on impact but great fun in the snow. :D

The gearbox must have been shot then. They should be quite 'notchy'. And the trick is to know how to drive and you won't crash in the first place!! But, you are right, they are built to be light. And it is this that makes them inherantly safe. The feeling of vulnerability make the drivers more aware of whats around them. Not like todays cars where the occupants are given a false sense of security..... but thats another story that it would be unwise to get me started on  :lol:

great for off roading and thy do a 4x4 kit

Was it the Sahara that was the twin-engined version?, with the Mehari being the single-engined model?

The Sahara was the twin engined 2CV from the factory. Now very rare and can fetch in excess of £10k. There are also companies doing 4x4 conversions with the single engine.

The Mehari was a 'Jeep' or Mini Moke style of body on a 2CV chassis and 2wd as you say.

I'll admit I do like the look of its 'competitor'/rival, the Renault 4

Arghhh! Nooo. It copied the 2CV which came first in so many ways. I have a friend (yes, really!!!) who winds me up about his liking for the R4  :lol:

[muddyjames]

my parents had a red renault $ when I was a kid. nasty thing with a very very wierd gear lever if I am not mistaken.

[SWEETY]

my parents had a red renault $ when I was a kid. nasty thing with a very very wierd gear lever if I am not mistaken.

Do you mean the funny shape & that they always seamed sticky :roll:

[Bishops Finger]

2 CV's and their more sophisticated relation the Dyane were fun