Kim Slowe and Terry Thompson are shipping a car a 2CV to California for a drive across the USA (+ a bit of Canada) and then Europe as a charitable means to raise awareness for the Kennedy’s Disease Association (KDA). The event is Kim’s idea. He is a Trustee of the KD-UK, in partnership with KDA in the USA and Terry is President of KDA. They plan to start the trip in either LA or San Diego in mid-April and would like to get in contact with Citroën clubs and enthusiasts along the way.
Kennedy’s Disease (KD), known to the medical community as Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA), is a rare inherited neuromuscular disease that affects men of all ethnicities around the world.
KD causes progressive muscular weakness especially noticeable in the legs, arms, and facial regions. This results in deteriorating ability to walk, speak, swallow, and perform other basic life functions as the symptoms progress. While not fatal by itself, the muscle weakness can result in aspiration pneumonia and falls which can lead to serious complications. Women typically are carriers only although they may share some symptoms. Kennedy Disease is often misdiagnosed as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease or Motor Neurone Disease) because of similar symptoms. While there is currently no known cure for KD, research has suggested several possible pathways that may lead to a treatment.
The American Kennedy’s Disease Association (KDA) and the UK Charity (KD-UK) have acquired this 2CV which has been comprehensively refurbished for the trip. The cost of the 2CV, and its restoration, has already been funded by a generous donor.
Here is their planned North American route:
From the USA the car will be shipped to Land’s End in the UK where they journey on to Rome:
A seven-day trans alpine cycling event will be run alongside the road trip from Chamonix to Nice.
The total distance driven will be 4,300 miles in the USA and 2,300 miles in Europe.
For more info & how you can be a sponsor visit:
Even if you don’t want to help in funding, if you would like to accompany them for a bit or just welcome them to the areas they will be traveling through, contact Terry at: TThompson@kennedysdisease.org.
Update — March 17, 2022: They have just opened a website to track progress of the trip. You can view it at: https://www.thegreatroadtrip.net.
Update — July 25, 2022: The Great Road Trip ended with a Grand Finale luncheon on Saturday at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. A group of Italian 2CV owners formed a welcoming parade from a few miles away. This little video shows them entering the parking lot of the restaurant. Lots of creative ideas evident on some of these cars!