Citroen 2cv, Weirdly Brilliant Engineering

[@davidlovatt2335]

Just stumbled on this video this evening and it was absolutely brilliant. So interesting and just shows what an amazing car the 2cv is. If I had a choice between an exotic supercar and a 2cv I would choose the 2cv. Thank you.

[@enjaymarine]

Great presentation - from one who has owned two Dianes (and an AX, BX & CX too - but that's another story), and we have to agree that so many of the 2CV's attributes were way ahead of their time. As a suggestion, how about talking us through the ignition system on a 602cc engine - with contact-breaker points and how to convert them to a contactless/solid-state option..? Merci..!

[@OliverPickard]

I have a videos on charging problems on 6v electrical 2cvs and dynamo charbon replacement if your interested but I haven't covered the ignition, perhaps in the future👍🏻

[@srfrg9707]

You forgot to mention how the doors and the bonnet are attached to the body... Also that the first models had a wired inertial device attached to each wheel looking like a can with a hammer inside floating on oil. When the wheel move upwards, the hammer's mass maintains the wheel on the ground. and slows down the motion ofthe suspension without inducing any motion to the chassis. Quite an unique way to handle bumps in the car industry.

[@OliverPickard]

yes I forgot the bastons it's the risk of being unscripted my bad 😊

[@jorgetoro3573]

I had an 1972 2CV, here in Argentina. But the argentinean model was like 1967 french model AZAM Export. However, it had non homocinetic joints, friction shocks absorbers and 6 volt electrical sistem and dynamo: no alternator

[@ulrikreimann652]

I just bought a fine and pretty 2CV - and now I'm watching all the 2CV videos on KZbin. This is a very good one!

[@OliverPickard]

Thank you

[@453421abcdefg12345]

A vey complete yet casual video, I really do not see how the elongated washers can balance the wheel if they do not move, they are just more rotating weight.

[@jayknight850]

An amazing car, great job explaining some of the rather unique features of this car. 9 hp, I have a slow motorcycle with 41hp!

[@richardgoffin-lecar1951]

I have always loved the "Tin Snail". Lovely little car!

[@qrm8772]

As an American,I've seen these in articles such as yours and like the quirkyness in both style and engineering. True genius of design. I like that you shared the Michelin history of the car.

[@OliverPickard]

I'm glad you enjoyed it the states has a great 2cv community

[@bugey8226]

Passionné par toutes les autos anciennes,c’est un plaisir de vous écouter en perfectionnant son anglais !

[@ralphsperring5742]

Great intro to a 2CV

[@alanainsworth2883]

I had a Citroen Acadian mixta van bought for my business in 1984 . I had it for 22years I used it for holidays pulling a trailer tent it had a 602 cc engine same as a 2cv . It was the best car and the most fun . Nothing can compare today just simply brilliant. When I parted with it it had gone round the clock 6 times.i have now got an 1974 Citroen Dyane which has been rebuilt.

[@OpelPower]

Wonderful video! Such a wonderfully engineered car and so many great ideas.

[@OliverPickard]

Thank you

[@crashbox7130]

You forgot the inertia dampers fitted to each hub, that were fitted along with the friction dampers you mentioned. Also, the 2CV was the first 4-speed Citroen, where 4th is an overdrive ratio. Looks like a nice part of the world you're in there. Perfect for a 2CV. :-)

[@OliverPickard]

I did indeed forget the bastons, it's the danger of having no script but it keeps it real and honest 😊

[@lawrencefisher5256]

Enjoyed the video. Well done. Such a fantastic car. Cheap and practical.

[@pwatom22]

Great video of a very interesting car. Inspired to learn more about the suspension design.

[@OliverPickard]

You may also like my Dyane Vs 2cv video and also tomorrow's video stay tuned for that one

[@vanceblosser2155]

Interesting video. I'm a big fan of 2CVs but there are a couple of errors. First, the boxer engine is balanced as you say but the pistons do NOT deliver their power stroke at the same time. Since it's a 4 cycle engine each cylinder only produces power every other stroke (intake, compression, power, exhaust). For better balance and reduced vibration the cylinders fire alternately, the left one fires on one rev and the right one fires the next. The spark does fire each time, but that's because it's a wasted spark system, on one cylinder the spark ignites the gas mixture, while on the other one, since it's at the top of the exhaust stroke, does nothing. But this simplifies the ignition system and is used on many motorcycles as well. The other issue is the wheels are not really self balancing. If there was enough give to allow the wheel to shift it would be dangerous to drive. I suspect that at the lower speeds the older 2CVs operate at that most balance issues don't manifest. I have had many French cars with identical wheels made by Michelin (Peugeots and Renaults) and they definitely did not self balance at 55 mph and above. The issue in the US with getting them balanced was that most of the wheel balancers were designed for 5 lug wheels and the solid center precluded a bubble balancer, so an on-the-car dynamic balancer was required. This wasn't popular with the mechanics as the slope of the rim interior did not provide a good gripping surface for the dynamic balancer and they were known to pop off when the wheels were spun up to highway speeds and then travel across the garage, often punching through walls. The mechanics always stayed clear of the possible path of the balancer as broken bones had been caused by these things as they went across the shop. I would love to have a more recent 2CV (the early ones would be suicide on our highways) but I don't have a garage and I don't want to rust up a classic car. Enjoy your ride!

[@OliverPickard]

Sorry Vance but the wheels are indeed self balancing on all 2cvs and variants. if you fit wheel weights it will result in horrific shake as the wheel trys to Ballance it's self and may result in catastrophic failure you even grease the face of the nut washer when fitting

[@vanceblosser2155]

@@OliverPickard They never balanced themselves on any of my cars, and balance weights have a smooth ride.

[@OliverPickard]

It's a 2cv thing, I fit my tire's by hand no weights. regularly drive at highway speed 60+ in Jolene. I have personally done 80mph in a dyane with no weights I know it's cool and I know Renault's and Peugeot's don't work the same

[@vanceblosser2155]

@@OliverPickardI just Googled 2cv self balancing wheels and your comments are the only match it returned.

[@mgtfbluestreak3956]

I thought this was a cool vid...I liked how you casually removed the rear seat and sat down on it outside...shows the great practicality and fun of the car..best of all I've wondered since I was a school boy looking at the french teachers car and telling everyone..that's not right only having 3 wheel nuts...what can I say..you have answered a life long puzzle why they have..more vids like this one...love it

[@OliverPickard]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it this was one of my first automotive videos

[@simonholliday9874]

Thanks for all that wonderful info! I am sure you know this: The original brief was for a car that could be driven across a ploughed field with a box of eggs in the back (car not field) with not one egg broken. The German nickname for the 2CV is "Ente", which means duck. Citroen either hid or destroyed the work they were doing on the TPV when Germany invaded France, to stop it falling into enemy hands. Great vid once again!

[@simonhill54]

Great video, inspires me to fix my ‘63 AZAM ❤

[@shauna260]

The spring is the “shock absorber” because it’s absorbs the shocks, the shock damper is the damper (usually oil filled tubes on most cars) Nice informative video, I’ve always liked the 2cv vans with corrugated panels. Thanks

[@OliverPickard]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@thequixotryworkshop2424]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@domspider1]

Very good video, it shows your passion for the 2 cv and you were the first to explain to me how the suspenssion on erlier 2 cv work. This is because I watched your video on adjusting ride hight and on other video that had a chock absorver, and in your video it didn't. Only you could anser to my coriosity

[@Coocoo4Cracra]

Thank you for the video. I have been wanting to know more about these little cars. They are rare here in Florida.

[@OliverPickard]

Happy to help. There is surprisingly little out there in English about these wonderful cars and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask 👍

[@DeanMk1]

Love your 2CV videos Oli. Great overview of a genius automobile. -b

[@rydermike33]

Super video of a wonderful little car. Thank you.

[@danr1920]

Cool house in the background. I've only seen one on the road in the U.S.

[@duncanmacpherson2013]

I don't think it was ever officially exported to the US

[@magashaz1682]

Thanks! Waiting for engine and interior review

[@OliverPickard]

Lucky for you I've already made an interior video and some other cool 2cv related stuff check out my channel and if your after something specific I have a bunch of playlists to help

[@mrarkane]

Sorry to be pedantic, but they don't fire both cylinders at the same time. They fire evenly at 180 degrees alternating between cylinders.

[@loveitorscrapit6673]

Great little car. Thumbs up.

[@Mark1405Leeds]

Inboard brakes were fantastic - on disc braked cars anyway! Pad change so simple. Great handbrake which never seized up {unlike my Hyundai i10 where the rear disc handbrake seizes up overnight!

[@llessibm]

Brilliant review, really enjoyed that ...looking forward to your next installment

[@OliverPickard]

Thank you very much

[@pedropinheiroaugusto3220]

I really enjoyed your video. Most I knew already, other things I learned. I don't agree with the wheel balancing itself, though. Balancing wasn't essential in early models because of modest top speed but you really feel the need to balance wheels with tyres from 90kmh onwards.

[@OliverPickard]

Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it. You don't need to balance any 2cv wheel of any year I know it's crazy but it's true

[@tomwatkins4730]

Well designed auto. Thank you for the history.

[@OliverPickard]

Thank you for watching

[@OdykKayne]

I'm late to this party, but wonderful video! The 2CV and the FIAT 126p are probably my two favorite cars, but sadly we never got them here in Canada! Would love to import a 2CV someday, but it seems they are getting very expensive, even in worse shape...

[@OliverPickard]

Hay Jody I know a few 2cv owners In Canada and yeah it can be a pretty expensive endeavour but they are out there and Canada did get Renault 4cvs and all kinds of cool stuff so if you look hard enough who knows what you'll find

[@OdykKayne]

@@OliverPickard It's true, though sadly a lot of the cooler stuff has long rusted away and the rest are worth a fortune because they are so thin on the ground here or were imported :( I am thinking of importing a FIAT 126p from Poland sometime in the next year, so hopefully that will work out! :)

[@OliverPickard]

Good luck 👍

[@OdykKayne]

@@OliverPickard Thanks sir! :)

[@walterpfannschmidt8449]

Michelin never made cars, only tyres. André Citroën was a big spender and at a certain point needed financial help, which came from Michelin. Citroën always remained the car maker. Some 2CV's could be equipped with a centrifugal clutch, which you explained. Those clutches didn't indeed take on in cars, however, every moped or scooter has one...

[@OliverPickard]

The traction Avant almost bankrupted Andre Citroen who would die before the car ever made production. at which point Michelin took over Citroen until the Citroen merger with Peugeot

[@thequixotryworkshop2424]

I want one!

[@louisegray26]

Really informative video, thank you! Could you make a video with what to look out for when buying a 2cv? I'm in the market :)

[@OliverPickard]

It's your lucky dayI've already made a buyer's guide here's a link 👇. I would also suggest the videos 2cv spot the difference and 2cv v Dyane. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKfJhJWiaKyhg6c kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKfJhJWiaKyhg6c

[@gregpasser2448]

I enjoyed this video. A VERY cool little car!!

[@happyhermit2022]

Really good and very interesting thank you :)

[@gatozz1]

Hello Oliver ! It's Olivier ! How are you ? And Meryem ? Jolene hasn't oil filter ?? I didn't understand .. Lol Really cool your videos :)

[@OliverPickard]

Very well thank you my friend, I hope you are ok! No filter on 425cc cars

[@gatozz1]

@@OliverPickard We need to be OK...

[@highwaykid10gaming34]

Very interesting, keep the videos up!

[@OliverPickard]

Thank you very much

[@dozergyp]

Some great info again👍

[@OliverPickard]

Thank you

[@mrarkane]

Correction 360 degree.

[@brianmoore1722]

The cylinders on a 2cv don't fire together, they fire 180 degrees apart, in other words alternatively.

[@OliverPickard]

The plugs fire together but the cylinder timing 180

[@19Edurne]

Roof tiles and stonework look a lot like southwest/Central France...

[@OliverPickard]

Well spotted. It is indeed central France if you want to know more about the barn, check out the barn playlist on my channel

[@Mark1405Leeds]

Folding rear seat!! Later ones weren't!

[@OliverPickard]

My jolene is a brilliant bit of kit

[@brucew.5292]

I’m 25 and from the US. This is my dream car surprisingly, I want one.

[@OliverPickard]

Good for you I hope you get one 👍

[@_Cheko_]

I advise buying from the Benelux (Netherlands Belgium and Luxembourg) we have lots here

[@brucew.5292]

Cheko wow, thank you for the advice. I think it will be a couple years for me but I will note this.

[@_Cheko_]

Happy to help! I wish you luck

[@richardvanderen4793]

It is a shame that this is not done on today car simply and dubablity

[@OliverPickard]

Luckily we still have the old stuff

[@mariolatore3867]

O

[@akronymus]

(deleted - you are right)

[@OliverPickard]

It's not a 50s car it's a 63 and its a Mixte so it has a folding bench and hatchback from factory. Yes I have Charleston seat covers on at the moment

[@OliverPickard]

haha don't worry about it its a model most of the English speaking world hasn't heard of

[@akronymus]

@@OliverPickard I remember these folding benches from accessory catalogs ~ 1980

[@OliverPickard]

That's why I have Charleston seat covers it's one of the only covers that will cover a folding seat

[@akronymus]

@@OliverPickard And they are fancy - admit it.

[@Redmenace96]

I'm giving up. This is the 3rd vid on 2 CV I have watched where the host waves his hands and talks, but doesn't 'show' anything. Video is a picture/graphic media, people! Talking is not showing. You are wasting all the potential/reasons for making a video.

[@OliverPickard]

This is the second video I ever made with a car I'd like to think I've gotten a bit better at it since