2CV or 4CV

[Submariner]

Neither - they're both ugly and unappealing in the same way the most grossly overrated car of all time (the DS) is.

I'd rather drive an early 80's Detroit rust bucket - at least there is a sense of hilarity that goes along with the downright terribleness. 

[Madman]

Neither - they're both ugly and unappealing in the same way the most grossly overrated car of all time (the DS) is.

I'd rather drive an early 80's Detroit rust bucket - at least there is a sense of hilarity that goes along with the downright terribleness. 

Heretic!  Burn him!  BURN HIM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

[J86]

Saw one of those years back when I had the Boxster.  Pulled up alongside him, we exchanged nods, and I took off.  Personally, I'd rather have an old SL for cruising. 

Already have one of those  

[2o6]

Neither.  I must be one of the few that can't comprehend the love for these cars.

The 2CV essentially made the country of France (and other parts of Europe) mobile in 1939. It's their version of the Model T or the VW Beetle.





I saw a 2CV the other day, LHD



I had never seen one before...it's quite charming, it really makes one SMILE.

[2o6]

Heretic!  Burn him!  BURN HIM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

Even if you don't like the styling, the car is probably the most cutting edge family sedans of the day. Shocking to realize it was introudced in the 1950's. It still looks timeless to this day.


Am I the only one who thinks the proportions of those wheels are HUGE?

[Rupert]

Heretic!  Burn him!  BURN HIM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

I do agree.

[2o6]

I do agree.

We'll use you as kindling.

[Rupert]

No, I mean I agree with the burning of anyone who doesn't appreciate the DS.

[Onslaught]

No, I mean I agree with the burning of anyone who doesn't appreciate the DS.

Set me on fire then.

[Rupert]

Do you and Sub mind lying out here? It would be much easier for me, then.

[Submariner]

Do you and Sub mind lying out here? It would be much easier for me, then.

Sure, we'll drive up in a DS that I worked over with a tire iron.

[Rupert]

[cawimmer430]

Neither - they're both ugly and unappealing in the same way the most grossly overrated car of all time (the DS) is.

I'd rather drive an early 80's Detroit rust bucket - at least there is a sense of hilarity that goes along with the downright terribleness. 

Buddy, the Citroen DS is one of the most iconic, revolutionary and innovative cars of all times. If there's a list of "Top Five Cars" the Citroen DS should automatically have a permanent place somewhere in that top five ranking. 

[cawimmer430]

Here's a Buyers Guide from Auto Classic magazine regarding the Renault Dauphine. It's in German but hey, there are some pictures to look at! 

[Madman]

As long as were talking about Renault Dauphines, here the US TV commercial which introduced the car to America.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjYE_LIvD2I


Evidently, obtaining parts and service for many "foreign" cars was a major concern for American buyers and many commercials (including this one) really stress the ease of finding parts and service for the car.

[cawimmer430]

As long as were talking about Renault Dauphines, here the US TV commercial which introduced the car to America.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjYE_LIvD2I


Evidently, obtaining parts and service for many "foreign" cars was a major concern for American buyers and many commercials (including this one) really stress the ease of finding parts and service for the car.

What an honest commercial. 

Don't you just miss '50s advertising? That would never work in this day and age. These days you need half-naked women to sell a load of Bibles to a church!

[ChrisV]

My dad bought a 4CV new in '61, and bought it over the Beetle because it was cheaper and had 4 doors, just the thing for a new family. I learned how to drive in that car when I was but 5 years old. He still has it. I also have a '61 4CV, much like his, though mine doesn't run (I have an 1108cc Gordini engine for it that makes a whopping 100 hp, vs the 28 hp the stocker made...). Mine is kept at my dad's house in Seattle, and one of these days, i'm going to pay to have it brought over here to Baltimore ( I was expecting to only be here 5 years when I first came here, and then be back on the west coast to work on it). It'll make a great city car and conversation starter.

And yes, part of the problem with these cars was in obtaining parts for them. If something did go wrong, you could barely get parts from a dealer, much less the aftermarket. Funny that it's much easier to get parts for them NOW than when they were new, thanks to the internet.

[ChrisV]

Am I the only one who thinks the proportions of those wheels are HUGE?

They are 15" wheels on a 1300 lb car that could fit INSIDE a VW Beetle.

mine looks identical to this one, with the later disc wheels (that were 3 lug, vs the 5 lug of the earlier cars):



Oh, look, someone in Florifda modded one:



Has a VW drivetrain...

And another modded one:



Sorry, but I LOVE these little cars. I like tiny cars anyhow, but I love unusual ones that are rare. I've had VW beetles, This one is cooler.

[cawimmer430]

My dad bought a 4CV new in '61, and bought it over the Beetle because it was cheaper and had 4 doors, just the thing for a new family. I learned how to drive in that car when I was but 5 years old. He still has it. I also have a '61 4CV, much like his, though mine doesn't run (I have an 1108cc Gordini engine for it that makes a whopping 100 hp, vs the 28 hp the stocker made...). Mine is kept at my dad's house in Seattle, and one of these days, i'm going to pay to have it brought over here to Baltimore ( I was expecting to only be here 5 years when I first came here, and then be back on the west coast to work on it). It'll make a great city car and conversation starter.

And yes, part of the problem with these cars was in obtaining parts for them. If something did go wrong, you could barely get parts from a dealer, much less the aftermarket. Funny that it's much easier to get parts for them NOW than when they were new, thanks to the internet.

Awesome.

If you need help with spare parts, I know someone with a 4CV here (ex-French policecar, Gordini-tuned) and he completely restored the car from a rustbucket to its current glory. I hope to shoot the car this summer.

[Madman]

Agreed.  A 4CV is Waaaaaaaaay cooler than a Beetle.  I would have thought the practicality of having four doors would have made the 4CV (and later, the Dauphine) a much bigger seller than the two-door-only Beetle.

[GoCougs]

My dad bought a 4CV new in '61, and bought it over the Beetle because it was cheaper and had 4 doors, just the thing for a new family. I learned how to drive in that car when I was but 5 years old. He still has it. I also have a '61 4CV, much like his, though mine doesn't run (I have an 1108cc Gordini engine for it that makes a whopping 100 hp, vs the 28 hp the stocker made...). Mine is kept at my dad's house in Seattle, and one of these days, i'm going to pay to have it brought over here to Baltimore ( I was expecting to only be here 5 years when I first came here, and then be back on the west coast to work on it). It'll make a great city car and conversation starter.

And yes, part of the problem with these cars was in obtaining parts for them. If something did go wrong, you could barely get parts from a dealer, much less the aftermarket. Funny that it's much easier to get parts for them NOW than when they were new, thanks to the internet.

I have to imagine safety, or the virtual complete lack of it, would be a concern.

[ChrisV]

I have to imagine safety, or the virtual complete lack of it, would be a concern.

No worse than driving that Fiat around, or a scooter/motorcycle in traffic. Or a kit car or dune buggy. or a fiberglass hot rod based on a '27 Ford Model T. I'm just not scared to drive any car in traffic. Drove these things around safely when there was nothing but '70s domestic behemoths around us and survived.