Pat Castel has just released the “Histoires de 2CV — Deuxième Edition” and for anyone interested in 2CV history, options and variations, this publication is an indispensable reference. It is in French, but with translation tools available these days, conversion to English and other languages is an easy task.
Pat was born in France and has had a strong connection to the 2CV since his youth. He owned one when he was a student there. He also grew up surrounded by BMW, Moto Guzzi, BSA, Motobecane, and Peugeot motorcycles. He started riding six decades ago and is still as in love with motorcycles as when he got his first 49cc Moped. He has a passion for writing about them and is known for his involvement in the American Motorcyclist Association organization as well as his position as editor in many past and present club newsletters.
Now living in Ottawa and turning his attention once again to the 2CV, Pat has compiled a very impressive complete and comprehensive publication and is pleased to let our readers know of it’s availability.
While the First Edition was released in 2024, this edition has grown by 64 pages to a total of 224. In it Pat covers production details throughout all the years — as well the history of the Toute Petite Voiture (TPV) project from pre-WWII that evolved to the 2CV being introduced at the Paris Auto Show in 1947.
You will find a treasure trove of photos and technical illustrations, descriptions of each of the factories and the various models produced in France and abroad.
The book even covers the wacky variations done to 2CVs over the years; Australia raids, Safari expeditions, and the purported turning of a 2CV into a motorcycle when one broke down in the Sahara.
Pat has embraced modern 2CV conversions, with sections dedicated the Azelle (2CV cabriolet), Burton sportscar, The DeFlyer (kit car), Lomax, and Le Patron. Also discussed are upping a 2CV’s horsepower with a BMW motorcycle engine swap, EV conversion and rumoured future designs.
You will find profiles of notable 2CV owners such as Hayao Miyazai in Japan and a trip across Canada that Bruce Grant and Jean-Luc Comtois did in 2016. (You can also read about the trip in an article they co-wrote for Citroënvie called “A Ride to Vancouver”.
You can find Histoires de 2CV — Deuxième Edition here: https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D1866000_192_304624248