Good Basic 2CV Orientation Video

In a recently posted video, produced by TFL Studios, Tommy a new 2CV owner form Colorado, does a pretty good job explaining to the virtues of his 1982 Charleston model and shows its driving characteristics.

The title of the clip is “The Citroen 2CV Looks Like A Snail & Drives Like A Water Bed But Here’s Why It’s Awesome”, and you can view it here:

He did get a few things wrong however — such things as saying that:

• The window supports that flip out to keep the front windows open about 3” for ventilation came with the car. Actually, they were an aftermarket accessory many 2CV owners have chosen to add.  
• The rear window of a 2CV does not go down whatsoever.  Technically he is right but he implies that all 2CV had fixed rear windows when in fact 2CVs built at the Slough factory in England came with rear windows that flipped open just like the front.  https://citroenvie.com/british-built-1955-2cv-road-test/
• 2CV’s were never sold in the USA.  They were sold here by Citroën dealers in the late 1950s and 60s (though not many cars and not by many dealers).  In fact, the USA models have distinctive features; such as horizontal chevrons mounted where the turn signals would normally be found on the C pillars of European 2CVs, sealed beam headlights and uniquely shaped front turn signals mounted on the front fenders. (see: https://citroenvie.com/2cv-an-investment-as-good-as-gold/).  In the 1980s, Fournet Motors, owned by Michel Fournet, in Glen Burnie, Maryland, David Allen in Georgia, and Escargot Motors based in Toronto Canada, imported and sold them in the USA. https://citroenvie.com/how-new-2cvs-were-aged-for-sale-in-north-america/.
• All 2CVs have a 2 cylinder engine. Presumably he is trying to keep the video concise, but he could have briefly mentioned the 2CV Sahara, which had 2 cylinder engines and transmissions both in the front and in the back giving it four-wheel-drive capability.  https://citroenvie.com/1964-citroen-2cv-sahara-a-love-story/
• Parts availability is hit and miss in the USA. Tommy obviously has not yet discovered Kenji Yoshino who owns 2CV Source (aka FPS – French Parts Service) in Seattle, WA. Kenji stocks virtually any spare part one would need to keep their late model 2CV on the road.

The big thing lacking in the video is the proper demonstration of the roof-latch bar. Tommy shows how to roll back the roof of the 2CV by unlatching the front bar but does not show re-latching it and says; “You are ready to drive”.  That’s a no-no! Without securing that bar, it will lift at speed and flip around to whack the driver (and passenger) in the back of the head, potentially knocking whoever it hits unconscious.  Securing the roof bar is an absolute must in a late model 2CV with an internal front latching roof. 

For more tips about owning a 2CV and keeping your car in pristine shape check out this article: https://citroenvie.com/2cv-upkeep-tips/