CITROEN 2CV BUYERS GUIDE

I've been asked to make a 2cv buyers guide for ever so here it is everything you need to know in order to buy yourself a 2cv with no regrets
note! drum brake cars use DOT (mine actually uses DOT3) and disc cars use lhm when I go to upload my next video ill add a little note
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#citroen2cv #buyersguide #classiccars
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[@EelingStudios]

As I new Acadian owner that I bought blind and on a whim your info is most welcome, so much to learn, many thanks!

[@pengovan]

Thank you very much for this video. I'm looking to buy 2CV next year so it was so much important information for me!

[@OliverPickard]

You are welcome I have also made videos comparing 50s, 60, 2cv6 & the dyane6 that maybe of help to you

[@benboyle25]

You can register one in California newer than 1967

[@OliverPickard]

I'm aware but I hear cars that don't need to be smog checked are very desirable

[@paulbowers7343]

Thanks for the comeback about the heater... 2cv, so elegant in it's simplicity!

[@OliverPickard]

Always happy to help

[@WeavingStarr]

I sold my 2CV and now regret it. I really enjoy your videos which help me stay in touch with them.

[@OliverPickard]

I'm glad you enjoy them

[@tl8686]

Handsome boy nice car.

[@riejurv50]

That's a good explanation for those who want to start in the 2cv world. I just would argue the fact of changing cylinders and pistons is a huge job in a 2cv, it might be not a job for everbody, of course it is some work, but It might be as well the easiest car in the world to do such thing... Plus it uses to be a must in cars that are in original condition, have sat for a while and have some miles on them... As they'll easy "drink" oil and, even being able to rev faster, they wont have as much power which sometimes we really need in a fast trafic road uphills. The problem about driving backwards really is speed or hard driving backards for some reason, disc brakes are not the problem, same as drums, problem is a bolt in the gearbox that might loose if we accelerate not in a soft way backwards, then you'll have problems with the gearbox for sure... About the movement from the drive shafts while turning uses to be a lack of grease in them, plus they need to be replaced. If you put the handbrake you can push a 2cv and it'll still move a bit forwards or backwards, that's due to the "telescopic" part of the driveshaft that will always have more and more movement due to wear, and the more movement it has, the more it deteriorates, so you feel it the most while turning. About brake fluid is Dot4 for drum brakes, no matter which drum brakes as there are 3 different kinds of them I think, and LHM is for disc brakes only. (there's the exception of fitting disc brakes to a late 2cv that still used drums and Dot4, using a rebuilding seal kit to turn disc brakes to Dot4, but that's not common at all... Anyway you'd see the colour of the fluid in the reservoir, plus the LHM systems use a green pump and reservoir and there's a sticker that says LHM on it) Another important thing is to make sure the chassis isn't bent, many of the cars that have survived have, at least at some point in their life, lived in the countryside, mostly van versions, I've seen many many of them with a bent chassis or with cracks in it, its easy to hit the ground driving with some load through the countryside, there are pople that sell metal parts with the exact shape to fit into the sides of the chasis, weld and paint them, but that's nothing you want to buy, the "tin" the chasis is made of is crazy thin, if you weld something, it gets very week just nextto the welding and that uses to end in trouble, well, it depends on the use with the car, if its a daily driver or a car that just would be driven once a month arround town... That could be done in any condition... (even better not) About bent chasis... The first twin cylinder Citroen I had was the car I got when I got my license, it was a Dyane, at some point , the previous owner must have hit the ground hard and it was sightly bent, took all the body parts from the front out and you could easily see that, fixed it and left the chasis straight, of course it would have been better new but its legally hard to change a chassis here due to vin number, so I drove it like that until one day that, luckily parking and not driving down the road, I had no steering.... Due to being a little bent the front "axle" which is at the same time the rack and pinion for the steering, seemed to have been working in a "forced" way due to being bent, even not noticing it and the pinion just deteriorated its teeth at all... In all this years after that I've seen that twice in an acadiane and an AK350, both had the chasis bent... I guess that's something that is interesting to look as well, no repaired or bent chasis at all. And another thing about rust... The suspensions, they use to get rotten and holes appear under them, they sell new ones but it is quite expensive, there are rebuilding kits as well, but they involve welding etc... But well, as you perfectly say... Thing on this cars is that they're not rusted at all, everything else can be replaced at more or less cost, ususally its cheap if we talk about cars in a reasonable general condition.

[@colinmaddock4370]

Really good video. Very informative. I’ve got an 86 Dolly that was fully rebuilt a couple of years ago and suffered from most of the issues you described! But she’s immaculate now and is a fair weather girl only (apart from when I went to the French National when I got caught in some showers driving to and from St Amand Montrond). Jolene looks superb despite what you said about her paint!

[@OliverPickard]

Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed the video

[@simonholliday9874]

Just brought back memories of driving over the Peak District to and from boarding school in our 2CV6 during the winter of 1978/9. Heater was next to useless even when, apparently, on top form. Parents even put a blanket over the engine whilst she was in the garage. There may even have been an oil lamp as well! Started on the starting handle when cold.

[@OliverPickard]

Thanks for sharing! The 2cv6 heaters can be less than stellar especially at low speed if not well sorted

[@simonholliday9874]

@@OliverPickard Particularly in that harsh winter over the tops. We were told by our parents not to prod the roof inside if it was raining. No idea if that was a genuine danger, or them being fussy!

[@vrubelvrubel6293]

i wanna get a 2cv for my mom as a daily drive,what would u sugest ?great channel!keep it up!chears

[@OliverPickard]

That all depends on where you are in the world, your budget and ofcorse mums personal taste but don't overlook the Dyane and Ami 6 and 8.

[@ericthexm]

Great video thanks. I just need to find a roadworthy 2CV!

[@johnnywarnerperfectroad66]

Fascinating thanks you've enlightened me to the world of 2CVs. Only watched out of interest but you're selling them to me...love you drive it as should happen

[@brewrocrat]

Beautiful 2CV. What colour is that? Is it “Gris Dande” or “Bleu Neve”?

[@OliverPickard]

Vert embrun

[@davidwestwood7879]

Another excellent and informative video, you're spot on by advising to buy the best car for your budget, i always suggest trying to buy the best unrestored car you can find. Gigi my beautiful Belgium spec car is a rare black car built on February 23 1989. She has a front bench seat and original outside fixing hood. She was imported from Belgium by a local independant 2CV garage and stored for ten years, so nine years after they ended I managed to buy my very last new car. she's very carefully used for total pleasure driving only and rarely sees wet roads. Just a minor yet important point on your advice, it's only disc brake cars that use LHM, I believe drummers use a different fluid. Keep up the good work Oliver.

[@OliverPickard]

your car sounds awesome, I mentioned that in the brake fluid in the description but I need to edit a note into the video

[@OtiKist]

You make this rainy saterdaymorning a lot better!😎 Still looking for a 2CV myself, so this is more than welcome!

[@OliverPickard]

Always happy to help

[@Mark1405Leeds]

Another favorite video! I found the rear tyres never wore so best to rotate them but Michelin seem to last forever. I want a Dyane 4 for my retirement car!

[@OliverPickard]

I made a Dyane buyers guide to if you haven't already seen it. My pick of the Dyanes would be the M4 Dyane made for just 10 months in the 60s and has the 602 from the ami6 but in the style of the older 425 so the heater is mega

[@Mark1405Leeds]

Thanks I enjoyed the Dyane buyers guide and am very tempted but saw a couple of Ami8 estates on a recent HubNut at a Citroen specialist and it's tempting but Ami's are very expensive now! I preferred the Ami as it was a bit faster and a averaged 44 mpg where as I never got more than 39 mpg from my 2CV!

[@OliverPickard]

The Ami and Dyane are far more aerodynamic and have higher compression but I'd put such a big difference down to electronic ignition and better spark plugs as well because it makes a HUGE difference

[@Mark1405Leeds]

That's what I want, with a galvanised chassis and stainless steel exhaust, then maintenance is basically a 3000 mile oil change! - [and a few greasing points!]

[@jamesnolan925]

Fantastic video for the likes of me, who want a 2cv but with a very limited budget (although with family members who could help out on the welding side!). my nan bought me a 2cv when i was about 10 (now 35!) but it rusted away and my dad scrapped it before i got to the age where i could drive it! Now i want another one, however, the 2cv6 in the UK is crazy expensive even for a wreck! Never really thought about the earlier cars, always wanting one from my birth year of 84! However, with such a limited budget to start with, maybe an earlier 70s car would be a better bet! Thank you for this video! Fantastic.

[@crashbox7130]

All 2CVs in the UK are now 'expensive' , regardless of age, though earlier models do tend to attract a premium (more so than in France where Oliver lives). The biggest factor to determine value/cost/price, is condition.

[@gianmarcorandon9776]

Than you for the explanation, I'll check my exhaust because when lifting off the gas my Dyane makes some pops, and probably that's the issue!

[@OliverPickard]

Your welcome 👍

[@wolfieScog]

Enjoyed that, found it very informative. I’d not considered an 18/425 version as I’d imagined they’d be underpowered but the net has widened! Similarly useful info re square lights etc. One question though Ollie - have you done a video on key change dates of the 2CV such as what year things like disc brakes were introduced, significant spec changes like change from hammock style seats, when did square lights come in and go out and so on. I see a galvanised chassis often gets mentioned in adverts, were these a factory thing and if so, what year, and so on. As a recent subscriber I’m still working my way through your back catalogue so maybe these things are covered already, in which case I apologise! (But could you send me a link to the appropriate one!)

[@OliverPickard]

Thank you for your awesome comment. Spot the difference and my 2cv specials are a good video to start because they answers most of your questions & there were no galvanized chassis produced from factory. I hope this helps

[@wolfieScog]

The Oliver Pickard thanks very much for taking the time to reply - I’ll take a look 👍🏻

[@OliverPickard]

I'm always happy to help if I can

[@markrichards226]

Nice video matey. Thank you for this.

[@paulakehurstdevisme9692]

Although you used the same level of driving field for each car, I don't think it is fair to compare Costco eggs with 1949 French farmers eggs. It was an amusing diversion tho'!

[@mb280sl7]

Another Sunday with The Picard.

[@OliverPickard]

Pickard 👍

[@benashcroft7758]

17:20 - disc brake cars, the issue is the reverse gear unwinds and breaks the peening, locking it in reverse so have to reverse at low speed and never uphill.

[@brucew.5292]

Incredible, thank you. I’m in the US and wanting one of these. So elegant in that rural simple way.

[@danr1920]

You are out of luck, the other guy bough the only one in the U.S. I've only seen one in the U.S. in my entire life. It was actually driving on a road in Glacier National Park.

[@brucew.5292]

@@danr1920 I see them on BaT quite frequently, So i don't understand this "rarity" in the US you are alluding too. maybe you are referring to a certain year?

[@danr1920]

@@brucew.5292 If I've only seen one in my life they are rare. (here) They didn't sell many in the U.S. Sure you can find them for sale in the internet, but compare that to a Mustang.

[@brucew.5292]

Dan R oh, I’ve only seen one in my life as well (here in the US). A man that lives near me in Charleston, SC has a Charleston that is very well kept. Compared to a mustang, very very very rare. I can’t imagine many Americans wanting this vehicle in general, especially having to pay import taxes. Nor can I envision Americans buying these when they were contemporary, with the offerings from the American motoring Companies at the time. A motor of these sizes will get you around town and that’s about it,

[@philippbayer797]

I'm not sure if I got it right, but you said that German 2CV6 have a catalytic coverter... I guess that's not exactly right. I got my German version 2CV6 from 1988 without a catalytic coverter. Sure, in the late 80's 2CVs didn't need leaded fuel anymore and that's why they got a special identification number in their vehicle license, but you don't have any benefits from that anymore. You can actually buy a catalytic converter here in Germany for 2CVs to get the famous green emission sticker, but they have to be built in first.

[@paulbowers7343]

You've not said much about the "heater" on a 2cv. Am I correct it's about as efficient as on a Beetle? The "heaters" on both of the VW's I had were capable of keeping the wind shields defogger, not much more.

[@OliverPickard]

425 car's have a fantastic heater! I can and do drive in T shirt when it's -10C out side in my 63. 2cv6 1970+ is rather less effective but set up properly it's works well once the engine warms up and there a few ways to give it a boost

[@OtiKist]

Very good buyers guide!👌 You just made me wanting an early car again instead of a 2CV6.. haha! In doubt again! Just a comment on the brake fluid. I thought 2CV's with disk brakes needs LHM, and the ones with drum brakes at the front needs DOT 4 fluid?

[@OliverPickard]

Very true drum brake cars use DOT (mine actually uses DOT3) and disc cars use lhm when I go to upload my next video ill add a little note

[@mb280sl7]

Ollie, maybe one could do a tour of your village or another village and show us about life in rural France/ Just a thought. :-))

[@OliverPickard]

There's a reason I only tell my area and not my location, I've had people turn up on my door step and it's a bit weird

[@mb280sl7]

@@OliverPickard I understand, but is yours the only village in the area? Any village would do, it is just an interest. You sound a bit paranoid, one person at your door does not mean we all will. I just want an image of rural french life.

[@OliverPickard]

Not paranoid just careful infact 99.9% of people are awesome and I'm always happy to meet people at car shows and stuff

[@mb280sl7]

@@OliverPickard Oliver, I had to have a think. Did I express myself incorrectly? i want to make sure you understand, I did not want a tour of your village but any village maybe 10, 20 or 30 miles away if your were going that way. I respect that you do not want random people showing up at your home, that would be uncomfortable and an invasion of ones privacy. I would very much like to see a typical small French village. I hope this makes sense. Be well.

[@danr1920]

I think when a car gets a certain age, they no longer need to meet the safety and emission laws for the U.S. for importing. I don't know if rust was an issue, avoid it at all costs. Several thousand dollars extra for a rust free is worth every cent.

[@gdelepee]

Unbelievable ! This guy is so lazy that he doesn't bother to get up to go up the points to check !

[@KlingonCaptain]

Where are these prices coming from? The cheapest one I've seen here in America was $17,000. They are normally between 20,000 and 25,000.

[@OliverPickard]

I'm based in France and the pricing in the video is based on Europe. the American market is a very different animal because other than a few hundred US market cars, all your 2cvs are imports and things like smog exempt cars are worth a premium

[@leneanderthalien]

@@OliverPickard it's possible to fit the 2cv engine with a electronic injection to improve the emissions, but the injection (by VGS 2cv, belgium) kit cost + 3000€...

[@FatBoy42069]

Witch American police car? We have like fifty different ones currently.

[@OliverPickard]

Charger

[@FatBoy42069]

The Oliver Pickard oh ok. I was think like a crown Vic or a bronco like Those haha. I think most Americans would agree that we think of those two when we hear American cop car. I mean my local cops have supped up mini vans for undercover work.

[@OliverPickard]

The guy lives in the UK with a highway patrol charger it's pretty crazy, they use Dacia's and minivans here in France

[@FatBoy42069]

The Oliver Pickard sweet he had to of paid an arm and a leg for it haha. And we don’t really have undercover cars/cross overs. The US is move towards for suvs and pickups so if you ever come here keep an eye out for a heavy looking suv haha.