Citroënvie member Nazar Miszczuk spotted this interesting little 2CV race car that appeared in a Los Angeles Facebook ad on February 24th. Located in Oxnard, CA and listed as a 1957 Volvo 24, the seller knew it wasn’t a Swedish Volvo and stated so in the ad:
Accepting offers over $35,000 this Saturday March 6th from 10 am to 5 pm in Oxnard at my warehouse 953 N Rice Ave Oxnard 93030. If you are the winning offer — 20% wire transfer or cash at time of purchase and the remainder within 2 business days in wire transfer. As far as can be ascertained at this time the car is believed to be the 1957 Seidlitz Special Once owned by Carl Seidlitz, driven by Pete Wood Entered in a number of races in 1957 or 58 per the SCCA website and other helpful enthusiasts. Citroen Race car · Other_body_style · Driven xxxxxx miles. Facebook won’t let me update the brand name stuck on Volvo. I know it’s not a Volvo. Aluminum bodied race car with Citroen 2CV motor Dual carb set up, tube frame, alloy body, aluminum underbelly. I’m told Panhard suspension. High quality special. Never a fast car but it looks fun to drive. Working with estate to get it titled. Will have an inspection day in Oxnard at my warehouse where it can be viewed next week and serious offers taken at that time. One of a kind. In complete as found condition. We currently have offers at $35,000. The family decided to allow the car to be inspected in a week in Oxnard and we will accept the highest offer at the end of the day. Thank you.
Whether a 2CV was transformed into this racer in Southern California, or it was acquired in Europe in racing form and imported is a mystery.
At first, because of the tubular frame structure, we thought it might be a long-lost racing version of a DePontac. But then the following ad appeared on Craigslist in Los Angeles on March 1st, with a few more photos and the following:
Rare Barn Find of an untouched race car. Circa 1957. Custom alloy body with Aluminum Under belly in the style of a Jaguar D Type race car. Tube frame with 500cc 2CV air-cooled motor. Dual Carb set up with 5 speed. Carbs and intake are missing. Suspension I’m told is either stock Citroen or Panhard. The SCCA has this car as owned by Carl Seidlitz and raced by him and Pete Woods during the 1957-58 season at Pomona and Riverside. Car has been in a private collection for over 40 years. I posted this car on Facebook and everyone went nuts. Accepting highest offer over $35,000 Saturday March 6th. Car will be available for inspection March 6th only at my place of business:
9523 N Rice ave
Oxnard
93030
I do have a video I can send you if you email me your phone number.
Definitely a unique and probably the only surviving 2CV of its kind. Happy bidding!
If you would like to see some other race-car versions of the 2CV, try browsing these links:
https://citroenvie.com/2cv-based-racer-at-lane-motor-museum-harkens-back-to-de-pontac/
https://citroenvie.com/rare-french-sports-cars/
https://citroenvie.com/jalopnik-profiles-2cv-dragonet-race-cars/
Update: April 20, 2022: — This very car appeared in the Aguttes – La Vente des Damiers Auction on May 1, 2022 in Cassel, France as a 1956 Citroën 2CV – Barquette compétition with simply the following description:
1956 – Citroën 2 CV Barquette Compétition
Competition car, sold without registration title
- Incredible American creation
- Aluminium body on tubular frame
- Citroën 2 CV mechanics
- Raced in period in USA
- Unique car, fantastic look
Estimate: 60 000 – 80 000 €
I love the Seidlitz racer! I raced one once back in the day in Canada, it was sponsored by a small Japanese company called Tamiya backed up by Executone Canada. It was a dream to drive! Sure wished I would’ve bought it.