CC Cohort Gene Herman found a couple of pairings of this blue Citroen 2CV at the Lime Rock Vintage Festival a few years back that he posted. The first one is with this exquisite big Packard, from the late 20s, I’m guessing. The 2CV was the antithesis of the Packard in just about every conceivable way, except for having four wheels. Well, except that its ride was probably at least as good.
I started to say that this pairing is a bit closer chronologically, but then remembered that the project that led to the Toute Petite Voiture – “Very Small Car” project that led to the 2CV was started in the mid-late 30s, so not that long after that Packard was built. Either way, the contrast is about equally…stark.
As a car conceived for prewar French country folk, it is a car easy to contrast with expensive cars built for jetsetters, or was the word toffs when referring to the Packard.
Remember in “For your eyes only” when Bond is being chased in some darn sinister looking black Pug 504s. He is being out horsepowered by the 90hp? Pugs and hits the farm trails and gets away. Even James Bond can be the everyman in a 2CV.
Some great pictures. The 2CV in that typical shade of light blue, still with the yellow French headlights and French plates. One of the most legendary cars ever. And Euro-Hippies didn’t drive VW Beetles, they drove Citroën 2CVs.
Below another contrast. From the No Limit Tractorpulling Team.
Source: http://www.nolimitteam.eu/
I’ve seen 2CVs on the road over the years but got very close to one a few weeks ago while taking my morning walk. I didn’t realize how tinny these cars really were. They make an old GEO Metro seem like a tank in comparison.
They’re not tinny, Howard. They’re superleggera! 😉
Kei cars like the Honda N-One would make a more interesting contrast.
Sure. Got a photo of that, Neil?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_N-One#/media/File:HONDA_None_1.JPG
Still lots on the road in France as every day (but cherished) automobiles. Values are way up too – they need to be rich(er) hippies these days.
Yes, Lesapandre, you are correct.
A few years ago, my father saw a pristine 1984 2CV Charleston Jaune Helios/Noir (yellow/black) in Citroën enthusiast magazine, selling for €12,000.
My parents are holding onto their 2CV Charleston a bit longer…
Good call, Paul. The Packard is actually a 1930 although I can’t tell you which model. Year of manufacture plates are very helpful. 😉
Yes, It’s a 1930 Packard Standard Eight, Model 733, Body Style No. 406, Club Sedan for five passengers, factory price $2,675. The 733 signifies Seventh Series, 134.5 inch wheelbase, powered by the smaller of Packard’s two fine straight eights: 319.2 cu in, usually referred to as the 320 ci engine. Ten body styles were available, 12,531 733’s were sold.
The larger 384.8 ci (385) straight eights powered the Custom Eight 740 and the Deluxe Eight 745 and the hot Speedster 734.
Lovely Packard, it was a regular at the AACA Hershey Fall Meet a few years ago.
And it was stunning and spotless. Thanx for the info 58L8134.
Not used to seeing rectangular headlamps on a 2CV. Then again, the only ones I’ve ever seen in this country have all been the two-tone Charleston models.
The rectangle headlamps were an attempt to modernise 2CV for the 1970s and beyond. They also addressed the severe shortcoming of P45t headlamp bulbs. The illumination and distribution from P45t bulbs were so lacklustre at night, making the night drive through the unlit streets and roads difficult.
My parents still have 1986 2CV Charleston Rouge Delage/Noir (Maroon/Black) that they drive once in a blue moon. Some years ago, my father installed a new type of headlamp bulbs, which use H4 bulb on P45t base. The difference was like day and night: the illumination was so superior that we started to drive at night more often.
Drive it yesterday, did they? 😉
http://www.businessinsider.com/blue-moon-friday-july-31-2015-7
My aunt had a blue 2CV like this, also with rectangular headlights. I’m guessing it was a very early 80s model. She drove it to France from Scotland and her French friends laughed at her, calling her whatever the French is for “country bumpkin”.
I look at these photos and can’t help but feel the ultra simple 2CV is a bit more advanced than the other two. I’ve had a long, hard day and work and haven’t thought that one through though.
The 2CV loses out on size and creature features to the Packard and the Caddyshack however its at least equal if not superior in ride comfort and will leave those two tanks rocling in its wake in handling and roadholding,.