While we often question French practices, such as eating snails and wearing those silly looking beret hats (Rusty!), you have to give them credit for not being afraid to go their own way. They have been a good friend to America, albeit that friend that you wonder about sometimes. At any rate, they have produced some very unique cars, but none so French as the 2CV. Built to put the still mostly rural French on the road, the little car had to wait out the Nazis to become as big a part of French life as French bread and French fries (I am kidding. Don’t put complaints in the comments.). One of these distinctively diminutive cars has even found itself in cornbread country America. Found on Craigslist in the town of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, this 1975 Citroen 2CV is a perfect example of the offbeat uniqueness that is France.
So, the story of the 2CV goes a little like this. Before World War II, the French were a mostly rural, agricultural society that relied on horses to travel about and bring goods to market. Of course, cars and trucks were present. They were just not prevalent. In attempt to get most of France behind the wheel, Citroen began designing a car that would be cheap to purchase and operate, capable of traversing rough, muddy roads, and would have a smooth enough ride to allow the transport of large quantities of eggs without breaking them. Prototypes were developed and improved, and the company was ready to debut the car at the Paris Automobile Show in October, 1939. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled after some unsociable behavior by France’s neighbors.
Finally, in 1949, the first 2CVs were sold to the public. Ridiculed at first by some for their Spartan approach, Citroen had the last laugh when production totals were counted after the last 2CV rolled off the assembly line in Portugal. All told, around nine million of the little cars, in a few different variations, were sold throughout the world. While this number is less than the final totals for the Model T and the Volkswagen Beetle, it is no less impressive. It seems that putting nations on the road is a good starting point for car designs.
For the life of me, I cannot figure out how this Citroen ended up in a warehouse in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee. If you have ever been to Soddy, you would understand how out of place this car must be. However, whomever is selling it obviously has an eclectic taste in vehicles. Resting between a Cushman scooter and a Divco milk truck, this 2CV looks to be in good condition. While the square headlights detract from the charm of the design, the car still has that “snail” look that people love. The pictures are a bit blurry, but we can see that the interior will need some work. The seller also makes no mention as to the mobility of the car. If it doesn’t run, then it probably shouldn’t be too big a deal to get back on the road. A quick look at a search engine reveals a few parts houses here in North America that could help.
It is hard not to like a car like this. Like many economy cars before it, the 2CV seems to be just so right for the job. While in terms of performance, it is far behind the many economy cars that came and gone during its lifespan, it has that irresistible mix of charm and durability. Just like the Model T and the Beetle. Too bad today’s designers can’t find that recipe for today’s economy cars. Maybe we have just grown to soft to accept the positive attributes of Spartan living. Or maybe we don’t emphasize the transporting of eggs like we used to.
The Chevette and silly baseball caps are America’s contribution to the world. Thought we coulda done better than that.
Lol I like to think that we have. The day is young. Stay positive!
Eclectic? Daredevil-ish is more like it. Tennessee has IMO has some very beautiful scenery.Lush trees, beautiful lakes with mountain shorelines (ala’ Nickajack et al), and the gorgeousness of the smoke that gives the Smoky Mountains its’ name. Therein is the bravery. Imagine the 2CV grunting to try to get up a hilly road with modern traffic coming up behind you. Heck, if I saw a Corolla coming up behind me I would be flapping my left arm out the window letting them know to go around with a ferocity that in all likelihood would cause a rotator cuff injury. lol He was one seriously brave individual whoever it was driving that in the mountains.
France has mountains too – big ones.
And the Deux Chevaux (that’s the car’s name) went really fast on the downhill parts. Actually, this model year could manage a blazing 62 mph … but only on the flat stuff. And with a tailwind.
I strongly suspect whoever has this is not driving it up Brayton Mountain (where I shot a music video by that name for a band named Nickajack that got a million hits). They are probably driving it around Soddy Daisy which is a lot flatter. Can’t believe both listings this morning are in my neck of the woods (Nashville).
Are you saying the French walk around with baguettes and eat French fries all the time? You would be exactly right, they do. That’s one stereotype I can say I saw firsthand.
I was surprised to see that they like ketchup with their fries. And cigarettes.
Ketchup and cigarettes?!YUCK!
They do not put ketchup on their cigarettes.
yet to see… a Frenchman with ketchup on his cigarette….ahh the images we conjure when we read.
While some people might find this a hard car not to love, I think these cars are the ugliest, most repulsive looking cars ever built. They look like hat boxes on wheels.
While they are functional to a point, I’ve never seen one on a super highway. I wouldn’t want to be in one on such a road. I did have a ride in one. It was like riding in a hat box on wheels and there was nothing about it that would entice me to sit in another one. They’re better than a horse and buggy with three wheels but not by much.
I actually saw a brave soul driving one of these on the Autobahn a few years back. He was in the far right lane of course.
I think they a quit cool in a quirky sort of way. Good enough for a grocery getter, and the star attraction at a cars and coffee night. There probably quit nimble at lower speed city driving. I wouldn’t want to drive it on the highway but I would own one if I could. Personally I would rather have the closed van version. Nice find.
I had mine on the motorway last week; through to Glasgow and back with the needle on the stop most of the way. Doesn’t like big hills but otherwise fine.
This one’s had the wings cut away, has odd front indicators and an oddly narrow rear window.
Square headlights on a round car with orange warts on the fenders…
And under-powered…
What’s not to like?
This’d be the only Bond car I could afford. Sigh…
Here’s the saved ad http://www.craigslistadsaver.com/view.php?name=1975Citroen2CV
yep For Your Eyes only…..
Friend used to buzz one of these back and forth on the Interstate between Portland OR and the Tri-Cities in Washington. Rust beetles were getting into that car but it was fun while it lasted.
One of the funniest accidents I saw in Germany was a station wagon version of the 2cv hit from behind by a drunk in a 911. Porsche just scooped it up and onto the Porches roof the driver emerged yelling and cursing only to be scooped up by some not too happy Polizei. Occupants of the Citroen climbed down uninjured.
These have a Potential Terminal Velocity of 200 mph. Unfortunately this is if they are pushed out of a B52 bomber at 10,000 feet, which is VERY terminal.
This past summer, my daughter and I drove our 2CV from Seattle, Washington to the annual Citroen meeting in Saratoga Springs, NY. We traveled with friends in their 2CVs…the entire trip was covered day by day in a blog on the Citroenvie (Citroen Life) website.
It was a unique experience and we had a wonderful time making the trip. You can not dislike people and own one of these cars, they attract more people than anything else I’ve ever driven.
They are also amazingly agile over all sorts of different terrain, we were in rain and a bit of snow and on dirt roads and highways (they don’t like grooved roads at all!).
The suspension is very compliant (soft) and the body roll quite astonishing. We would sometimes take corners very quickly to keep people from tailgating us…they thought we were about to tip over and backed off.
They provide more smiles to the mile than almost any other vintage car I’ve ever owned…and are usable for more of the year than most other old cars too. Their biggest problem is rust…the frames were built from cheap steel and exposure to any road salt/chemicals can result in major rusting problems. However, there are new galvanized body pans and there are lots of suppliers for any other parts you might need for these cars…not to mention many avid support groups.
Restored 2CVs will fetch anywhere from $15 to more than $20K nowadays. There’s actually a fellow in Mt.Airy, Maryland who finds cars in Europe, has them redone in the Netherlands and then brings them over to the US to sell. He has had no trouble selling these cars here at all.
I met you, your daughter and your traveling buddies at the NY meet and followed your blog; I know it was quite an adventure! I drive my 2cv from Chicago to Phoenix in 2014 and had a blast! Yes it is slow especially uphill and/or against head winds, but hey…you know it when you start the trip, you set your mind accordingly and all is well….Interstate included. I averaged 42 MPH (driving time only) and 42 MPG…….1,827 miles and 1 smile per mile…..did not keep track of thumbs up and friendly horns from truckers. I was greated by Uncle Sam himself (see photo)
I once saw a Citroen 2CV in a golf course car park in Maine with Arizona licence plates…reading simply “2 CV”
I’ve often wondered since if it was driven all the way….!
Nah, it was going putt putt putt….
The comments reflect a complete lack of understanding or appreciation for these remarkable and unusual cars. They are incredibly efficient, fun, quirky and phenominally capable for their intended purpose. They are more than capable of climbing hills and mountains, although you need to be a bit patient, but these things have frequently climbed the alps!
They are absolutely bullitproof, and will drive forever with no major problems, and if you break a 2CV, it is incredibly simple to repair and parts are available around the world, including here in the states. You can rebuild the two cylinder, horizontally opposed, boxer twin, air cooled engine on your kitchen table in an hour or two.
You really should not dismiss these cars, or repeat the wives’ tales unless and until you have actually driven one. They are really quite impressive for what they are.
Also, readers should note that the wings (fenders) on this particular example have all been cut back in an unfortunate manner, which would affect the value considerably.
Oh, and as further indication of the readers’ lack of understanding of the French, they use mayonaise (not ketchup) on their fries!
…our nièces and nephews in France do use ketchup on their frites, as well as they’ll make a sandwich of Camembert and ketchup….go figure!
Another French oddity is a motorbike called a Velo’ SoleX. People bash it but it’s probably the best moped ever made, bar none. I owned one but it got stolen outside of Rome. Never underestimate the French ability to engineer a fantastic machine.This Citroen and the Renault 4 are probably the most important motorcars that changed the way Europeans thought about transportation, and subsequently the world. I also bought and wore a beret for a while, but I gave it up after losing the battle with ever proliferating umbrella toting pedestrians on the streets of Paris.
A Slovenian friend of mine told me a story about when he, and four friends wanted to go skiing. The 2CV, probably the 425cc engine, simply wouldn’t pull the five teenagers up the mountain. Their solution: turn it around and back up the mountain, using the lower reverse gear.
BTW, I used a 2CV as a daily driver for 10 years in Dallas, freeways and all. But it had the big engine [602cc].
I owned a 2cv Special for 6 years when living in Malta, it is so cool to drive around especially in the warm months.
…it seems this 2cv has the 425cc engine? or at least for sure only the single barrel carburator. The 602cc with double carb is preferable and good for a whooping 29HP. The square lights were only for a couple or so years, people did not like those and Citroen went back to the round lights. Kind of like the Jeep story! I never saw a top with such square window? maybe from Argentina where they had their own models? or a custom made top? Additionally, looking at the dashboard and the seats, this is a “Club” version and not the “Spécial”. Not sure about the cutout fenders? either home made or again, Argentina?
@Dominique: I don’t recall seeing any stock 2CV with dual carburetors, even on the 602 cc engines. Can you provide any photos?
I meant double barrel carb, sorry! Although I have seen a 2cv with 2 carbs at one of the many 2cv meets I’ve attended in the past, no picture though, and not factory option.
Dan Short of FantomWorks in Norfolk VA restored a 2CV for a coupla mimes (natch). Of course, Norfolk is flatter’n a pancake, but that thing scooted right along, cornered like it was gonna tip over, and stopped on a dime (and gave 3c change) when the shop finished with it. The two owners seemed real pleased. I thought it was cool as hell.