Comparing Three 2CV Generations
By George Dyke….
Clayton Seams has worked in automotive media for over 10 years, writing articles and producing videos for Speedhunters, Petrolicious, Curbside Classic and Driving.ca. Over the years he has made videos with me describing the Traction Avant, Méhari and SM. He recently started his own YouTube channel “Classic Cars & Clayton” and last September posted a video review of my 1987 2CV.
We had discussed for some time about doing a video comparing the differences between the early and later eras of 2CV. I happen to own 3 examples that nicely illustrate their evolution; a 1959, and 1964 (actually a 1963) and a 1989 Charleston (registered as a 1971).
On October 1 last year, Clayton and I got together to showcase all three. I went over their features and we took a drive in each one. You can view the video it at the link below.
(Forgive me for referring the the A pillar as a B pillar in 2 instances. And yes, the last year of production for reverse-opening doors was 1963 and my 1964 has them, but that’s because the car was originally sold in California in early 1964 and therefore registered as such. Note the car does not have US sealed beam headlights, and that is explained in this article in Citroenvie.)
A superb video, George!
The older 2CVs with friction dampers I modify to allow easy adjustment. It takes only a minute with a 10mm Allen key to alter settings; simple, no jacking needed. The earlier dampers had a screw adjustment but required special tools and knowledge to monkey with. Later cars had riveted assemblies with no provision for wear. With my alteration one only needs to pull aside the eared rubber cap, insert the Allen key through a hole in the sheet metal cover to increase or decrease the squeeze on the friction material. Much hilarity and/or comfort will be gained in different on and off road conditions!