People have been bolting larger and more powerful engines into cars for many decades, and it is this practice that spawned such classics as the Sunbeam Tiger. However, this 1967 Citroën 2CV left me scratching my head from the moment I spotted it. This car takes the transplant concept to an extreme, with its engine bay now housing a small-block V8. The car’s low curb weight should make it scary fast, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for discovering the Citroën listed here on Craigslist in Knox, Indiana. There is some confusion over the price, with the seller quoting figures of $26,000 and $21,000.
Much has been written about the 2CV, with Citroën developing and marketing it as affordable transport for the masses as most of Europe struggled to recover from the ravages of World War II. It proved a sales hit, with over five million of these classics plying the world’s roads before production ended in 1990. Our feature car emerged from the factory in 1967 and is anything but average. The build was the work of the seller’s late husband, and there is no doubt that he wished to create a car that would turn heads. The Orange paint gracing the exterior is not a standard 2CV shade. It is distinctive, dazzling, and appears to be in good order. There are no glaring flaws or imperfections, and the shine is deep and rich. The panels are straight, and the indications are that this garage-kept classic is rust-free. The trim and glass are free from problems, but it is impossible to ignore this car’s lack of a hood and the enormous alloy wheels.
Okay, it’s time to address the elephant that is almost in the room. Citroën adopted a fairly sensible approach to the 2CV drivetrain. This car would have featured a two-cylinder, air-cooled engine with a capacity of 424cc. It would have placed around 18hp at the driver’s disposal, which was fed to the front wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. These cars weren’t renowned for their outright speed but for rugged reliability and easy maintenance. All of those facts are now largely irrelevant following this build. The tiny twin has made way for a 434ci “Stroker” small-block churning out 600hp. The rest of the mechanical specifications are unknown, but it appears that the power feeds to the rear via an automatic transmission. It is unclear whether the Citroën is genuinely roadworthy, but the seller does indicate that the engine is new. With so much power in a car that weighs so little, this Citroën would be genuinely fast. It would also potentially be quite a handful for the person behind the wheel.
The late owner’s approach to this Citroën’s interior suggests it may have seen action on the road. The seats are a significant upgrade from the basic ones that were standard in the 2CV. The custom dash features essential gauges, including a speedometer. There is nice Black carpet on the floors and a chunky sports wheel. The overall impression is extremely positive, with no evidence of wear or abuse. Rounding out the interior is an autograph of legendary customizer, the late Gene Winfield. It appears that he gave this Citroën his seal of approval back in 2014.
So, what would you do if you found this 1967 Citroën 2CV parked in your garage? Would you hit the road for weekend fun, turn up at the local drag strip to scare the living daylights out of the opposition, or would it see action on the show circuit? It would be possible to combine the three activities to provide a complete ownership experience. One thing is guaranteed: This Citroën would bring crowds flocking from miles around, and there is no chance that you would park beside an identical vehicle at a Cars & Coffee. Are those thoughts enough to tempt you?
Just a matter of time at this here site, eventually, you’ll see it all. This is so cool, and it’s a shame spouses are left to deal with loved ones treasures upon their passing. Finally, some guy said, “Hey Frenchy, this is what we do to cars over here”. A most unlikely combination, this is one lucky 2CV. It’s going to be loud, and be nice if the hood was somehow incorporated, even though, the motor is obviously the attraction here. If this vehicle doesn’t scream AMERICA, nothing does.
This is a car built to draw attention at a car show, not run at a drag strip. I work tech at a local track, if it came to me I’d look for a reason to fail it, if I couldn’t find a reason I’d talk to race control to make sure it didn’t make any passes with a car in the next lane.
It will be interesting to see if is still for sale in a few months, it wouldn’t be surprising if it still is.
Steve R
I did Tech for around 10 years. I would want to see how the roll was welded together and the steel thickness. Assuming it is not exhaust tubing! I agree that it should make a solo run first time down the track, but with an 1/8 mile track, we would want it to make a take-off only run the first time, then a half pass the second before it went full speed. We also required a belly pan. Other equipment would depend on the speed during the time trials. Driveshaft loop, proper driver safety equipment, license, master shut-off, etc., may be required. The open top concerns me. Is it a roadster? Is it a sedan? At least it does have a roll bar. There are so many things to check over. When a car like that came in, I would take my book out and go over it with the driver. People may not realize the driver is responsible for racing a safe and properly equipped vehicle for their time/mph, not the Tech Inspector. And the Track Manager/Owner has the final say if needed. I think I would not let 2 cars run during my time. One was an Anglia that didn’t have the proper safety equipment, and the other was a 4-lug import that only had 3 lugs. The Anglia came back a few years later and we passed it. The guy with the import had a buddy loan him a lug nut.
Steve, I can see automotive style lap belts for both seats. There appear to be no shoulder belts. With 600 HP in a light car, assuming you could get it to hook up on those tires, it would be way too fast to go down any sanctioned track with those belts. The tech guys I’ve met wouldn’t like you parking it in the parking lot, going down the track is out of the question.
If somebody gave it to me, I couldn’t drive it through town with the open headers without getting a ticket. If I wanted to take it to a car show, I’d have to trailer it. From what I see, that’s all it’s good for. It’s too bad because a lot of money and time obviously went into it and now the builder’s widow has it.
But as my Dad, who was in the car business all his life, told me: “Build a hot rod if you intend to keep it, but don’t expect to get your money out of it. You’re probably not going to find the one person who wants it at the right time and has the right amount of money.”
Your dad is right.
Those belts wouldn’t matter in tech, if mounted correctly they’d be good to 11.50, I wouldn’t fail him for that. It would be up to the tower to deal with if he outran his safety equipment. At my track we were told, tech the car as it’s presented. The first thing I’d look at are the seats, to make sure they were bolted in. Then I’d look at the battery and fuel tank, my guess is there is a fuel cell and relocated battery in the trunk, that’s where cars like this typically fail because they aren’t mounted correctly.
Most cars their first time to the track are much slower than the owner thinks it will be. I can’t tell you how many 600hp street cars run 15’s at 90mph. That’s because they read too many magazines and believed what they read and all of their friends that think their cars have 600hp too.
I bet there are baffles in the header tubes, that’s become popular among people that run Zoomies.
Over time you learn to listen to your gut, it tells you when something is off and it’s generally right. Only a small number of cars send that message, but they are the ones that are involved in the majority of crashes and oil downs. It’s not just tech that can feel it, most workers and experienced racers pick up on that too.
Steve R
Love it, but that exhaust has to be unbearably loud and likely illegal in most areas.
Holy Toledo, Batman!! I usually say to much, but that’s all I can muster for this one.
My first thought when I saw this, was….. If Hotwheels made a wild version of the 2CV…. This is it!!! Especially from the side view. I have no idea how much work, or how many hours went into this build. I’m kind of wondering about the frame and whats been done to strengthen it. That small block definitely makes a lot more more than the original 2 cylinder. Still, it must’ve been fun for the person who built it.
It’s got to be pretty rigid, it has a full cage. At any rate, finally a Citroen that doesn’t make me yawn. GLWTS
There are no door bars.
Steve R
shut up and take my money!!!!
shut up and take my money!!!!
A nice reliable and affordable vehicle for the masses no more. Honey get the kids, it’s time to go for a Sunday afternoon ride! Do families still do Sunday afternoon rides anymore? I remember them being a thing when I was a kid. Just never in a car like this.
Why? Just why?? Just because you can build it, doesn’t mean you have too. Nice build but I just don’t get it.
I’d like to see the chassis; you can’t do RWD/live axle/hefty gearbox with a stock 2CV one.
As to scrutineering, the 2CV generally fails because of the suspension layout, mostly because of the odd axle location. The rules are adapted for their race series…
Yeah, this has got to be a custom chassis with conventional suspension and a 2CV body bolted onto it. As such the only “swap” here would be the body from the donor 2CV onto this frame.
I wonder how much adding all the weight of the V-8 has changed the amazing abilities of the stock 2CV suspension?!?
Well, I’ll tell ya’, and coming from someone named 19Tiger65 indicates you like Sunbeam Tigers enough to make it your handle, however, some, me included, think a Tiger is a total waste of an Alpine, so it’s all relative. Why this? Imagination, my friend, died in 2001, I think, and one could, resources providing, build whatever the heck they could dream up. This was a finished dream for someone, and, like all customs, I admire the gumption it took to make it.
Good way to get your killin’ done, but you’ll go out in high style!
Obviously there are folks out there that don’t understand why you’d build a car like this but the answer is for FUN. Cars are fun, custom cars are fun, show cars are fun, trucks are fun, race cars are fun. FUN is what it’s all about!
Right on, Bob!
No way the original platform and suspensions are still in: they would just bend at the sheer sight of the powertrain!
No way the original platform and suspensions are still in: they would just bend at the sheer sight of the powertrain!
What in Tar nation?? Strictly car show material
George Barris Approved!
It would be interesting to take for a test drive
Haven’t I seen this car with plywood doors? I thought they looked like a factory item, but who knows with the shortages all of Europe dealt with post WWII. To call this a unicorn doesn’t do it justice. One thing I have had affirmed and reaffirmed here is to NOT leave any projects for my heirs to deal with. Probably wishful thinking. I am “downsized” to three and sitting here reading when I should be wrenching. Is there some medication for my dilemma? I still haven’t figured out retirement.
Well , it’s a cinch this thing doesn’t handle like a stock 2cv… although it leads to thoughts of “what about a Toyota 4AGE? Wonder how that would work?” We will always wonder, won’t we?
Small block V8? Yeah, if it’s in a Chevy, but in a 2CV it’s a big block!
I dunno but I feel that this car needs wheelie bars to finish the look….
I’d do what this guy’s widow is doing- put it up for sale and get rid of it ASAP.
B.Hess- Bingo!
Would not pass an MOT in UK, my thought see what can be done with a Subaru engine so a bonnet / hood can be fitted. The wheels stick out beyond the body also a fail. However if turned into a road legal car should be a practical fun car. Flaring the mudguards or extending them would do but make the job subtle. Hope the lady sells the car. Wander if there is any info on the builder.
This may win the award for most asinine thing ever posted on BF. What was the knucklehead thinking that did this?