Citroen's 2CV is back

**mhku** · 03-05-2007

One for a certain member

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/...o_217519_7.jpg

"Here's proof that Citroen is set to come out of its shell when it comes to car design - because the 'tin snail' is back!

These pictures show how a successor to the 2CV is shaping up. Boasting a thoroughly modern interpretation of the classic design, it has its eyes on the lucrative family car market.

Based on insider information, our pictures show what you have to look forward to. Taking over where the Evoque concept car of 2005 left off (Issue 865) the shape is instantly recognisable and couldn't be confused with anything else.
"

full story here: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/208391/citroens_2cv_is_back.html

***acetatus*** · 03-05-2007

great car,,,,,,,......

**Channel Hopper** · 03-05-2007

Hmmmm, I never viewed it as a car., more a buggy with enclosed bodywork.

Must say I love the look of the top end C3 (with the glass boot and integral spoiler)

**Snuffer** · 03-05-2007

Nice my new summercar
site by site with the '57

***2cvbloke*** · 03-05-2007

Originally Posted by Channel Hopper

Must say I love the look of the top end C3 (with the glass boot and integral spoiler)

That would be the C3 Pluriel, with the glass roof and all that...

But that new Citroen does look 2CVish, only it's missing the grille where the Citroen chevrons are...

**PaulR** · 03-05-2007

Originally Posted by Channel Hopper

Hmmmm, I never viewed it as a car

Me neither. I always thought of it as a chicken shed or bouncing over a field with a plough attached to the back...

**Topper** · 03-05-2007

Tell me to get my eyes tested but I can see characteristics of the old and new Beetle in there too. But I am a bit of a Mr M a g

these days

***2cvbloke*** · 03-05-2007

Originally Posted by Topper

Tell me to get my eyes tested but I can see characteristics of the old and new Beetle in there too. But I am a bit of a Mr M a g these days

The 2CV design came about well before the Hitlermobile came along...

**Topper** · 03-05-2007

Originally Posted by 2cvbloke

The 2CV design came about well before the Hitlermobile came along...

VW Beetle went into production in 1938......

10 years before the Citroen 2CV

***2cvbloke*** · 03-05-2007

Originally Posted by Topper

VW Beetle went into production in 1938...... 10 years before the Citroen 2CV

2CV designs were started in the early 1930's before the bug was released...

**Topper** · 03-05-2007

Originally Posted by 2cvbloke

2CV designs were started in the early 1930's before the bug was released...

A design is a concept not a reality, show me the drawings then.... prove to me that your point holds a small drop of water.

If that argument is to hold any water then the you have to argue that the space rocket was invented before the automobile ever turned a wheel as in 13th century the chinese documented the lift off of man travelling into space. Gallileo drew designs of aircraft hundreds of years ago but you cannot say that in either of these cases the design became a reality. Often one has to dream a concept then work hard for many years to turn that concept into reality. In the case of the 2CV as cute as some may find it I have not yet seen any evidence of a desire to turn Pierre Boulanger's design of the 2CV into a car until after the end of WW2

***2cvbloke*** · 04-05-2007

Originally Posted by Topper

A design is a concept not a reality, show me the drawings then.... prove to me that your point holds a small drop of water.

If that argument is to hold any water then the you have to argue that the space rocket was invented before the automobile ever turned a wheel as in 13th century the chinese documented the lift off of man travelling into space. Gallileo drew designs of aircraft hundreds of years ago but you cannot say that in either of these cases the design became a reality. Often one has to dream a concept then work hard for many years to turn that concept into reality. In the case of the 2CV as cute as some may find it I have not yet seen any evidence of a desire to turn Pierre Boulanger's design of the 2CV into a car until after the end of WW2

So you've never ever seen the pre-war "TPV" 2CV's then?

They were to be the design of the 2CV until Hitler decided to try taking over the world (Who did he think he was kidding???

) and they ended up being hidden away (one even got converted to look like a truck!!!) and the designs were altered through the war in secret so that VW couldn't steal the designs, sooo, the 2CV was around before the Beetle, the Pic attatched is of one of the later pre-war designs, unfortunately the other cars were destroyed and only a few survived...

So ner!!!

koansrc · 04-05-2007

I once owned an "almost 2CV". All the mechanical parts where 2CV but the bodywork in fact formed a "jeep" looking sort of vehicle with a canvas top. Very popular in Greece quite a few years ago, called PONY and great fun to own and drive. Simplicity ... so lacking in todays gadjety world.
Is it true that part of the design specs of the 2CV where to be able to go across a ploughed field carrying a basket of eggs without breaking any, and for the farmer driver to be able to sit in the car without taking off his hat ???

**Topper** · 04-05-2007

Perhaps the earth is flat just like this concept but still a TPV is not a 2CV therefore your statement continues to be untrue.

Perhaps a prototype called the TPV was the impetus to the 2CV but that doesn't make it one. The fact is history has recorded that the 2CV was not produced until 1948. I am sure many many people may have dreamed about it previously (or nightmares

) or sketched it, or perhaps thought it would have made a good off-roader, submersible tank or moon buggy. Anyhow it's Friday night so well leave this facinating

subject alone

for now....time for some refreshment I think

***2cvbloke*** · 04-05-2007

Originally Posted by koansrc

I once owned an "almost 2CV". All the mechanical parts where 2CV but the bodywork in fact formed a "jeep" looking sort of vehicle with a canvas top. Very popular in Greece quite a few years ago, called PONY and great fun to own and drive. Simplicity ... so lacking in todays gadjety world.
Is it true that part of the design specs of the 2CV where to be able to go across a ploughed field carrying a basket of eggs without breaking any, and for the farmer driver to be able to sit in the car without taking off his hat ???

That sounds like it would have been the Mehari (assuming it had ABS-plastic bodywork)...

Yep, that was one of the design briefs from Pierre Boulanger...

koansrc · 04-05-2007

Originally Posted by 2cvbloke

That sounds like it would have been the Mehari (assuming it had ABS-plastic bodywork)...

That was probably the inspiration but I'm referring to a model actually produced in Greece (based on the 2CV). The entire metal bodywork had no curves(!), there was a single wide front seat and a pvc type cover formed the roof, back and rear windows. The rear and back "windows" could be rolled up so in effect there was just a "tent" roof. Like I said great fun especially on the Greek islands.

Thinking back, the lack of curved metal made it look amazingly like the stealth type designs to avoid radar(!!!). I'll see if I can't find a photo ... of the 2CV Stealth PONY.

***2cvbloke*** · 04-05-2007

Originally Posted by koansrc

That was probably the inspiration but I'm referring to a model actually produced in Greece (based on the 2CV). The entire metal bodywork had no curves(!), there was a single wide front seat and a pvc type cover formed the roof, back and rear windows. The rear and back "windows" could be rolled up so in effect there was just a "tent" roof. Like I said great fun especially on the Greek islands.

Thinking back, the lack of curved metal made it look amazingly like the stealth type designs to avoid radar(!!!). I'll see if I can't find a photo ... of the 2CV Stealth PONY.

Sounds different, I may have seen one on the web, but never saw any name for it...

he he, Stealth 2CV....

koansrc · 04-05-2007

http://www.citroen.mb.ca/cItROeNet/f...ges/pony06.jpg

***2cvbloke*** · 04-05-2007

Originally Posted by koansrc

http://www.citroen.mb.ca/cItROeNet/f...ges/pony06.jpg

Looks very Mehari-like with a Dyane windscreen...

But I like anything 2CV based, even the early Visas (which later became the C15 van)...

**mhku** · 05-05-2007

Not relevant to the original post but...

2CV designs were started in the early 1930's

VW Beetle:

"By late 1935 the first prototypes were on the autobahns, the V1 saloon and a convertible V2, these cars had aluminium bodies mounted over traditional wooden frameworks. In 1936 steel bodies mounted over all-steel floorpans were used, powered by a 984cc, 22bhp engine that could reach a top speed of around 65 mph. "

"In '36 the first 3 prototypes were ready (two sedans and one cabriolet) "

No idea if Ferdinand Porsche had "an idea" of the design before this period.

http://www.volkswest.co.uk/gfx/prototype.gif http://www.maggiolinoweb.it/mgg36.jpg

**Topper** · 05-05-2007

Thanks mhku
Very relevant IMHO

But others may disagree

Originally Posted by mhku

"In '36 the first 3 prototypes were ready (two sedans and one cabriolet) "

and 12 years after that the 2CV was born

Some would say 12 years was a lifetime but I would disagree

**Channel Hopper** · 05-05-2007

Some say that the early drawings of Mr Porsche came about after he saw one of the Tatra streamliner designs in former Czechoslovakia.

_http://www.tatra-register.co.uk/pics/87rear.jpg

Earlier versions are heavily influenced the Jaguar stylists some 20 years later.

_http://digilander.libero.it/cuoccimix/ENGLISH-automotorusse9-F(Tatra).htm#1

Another innovation - the central steering column - was around long before McClaren reinvented it