MotorWeek | Retro Review: Citroën Deux Chevaux

[@suomenpresidentti]

Do not forget, that you can easily take all seats out of car and have a nice picnic with comfy seats.

[@ODSTOninersIxTwO]

awesome

[@tenfourproductionsllc]

Don't the doors come off real easy also on purpose?

[@Kinsanth_]

And you can literally get everywhere with this car, no 4x4 needed . Simple, comfy, reliable and easy to maintain. That is the spirit of the real 2cv

[@Charlie-Cat.]

I remember seeing one in New Jersey as a boy. But then again, a lot of weird things were in New Jersey as well.

[@DavidfromBA]

I was born and used to live in France, but have spent most of my life here in the States. The 2CV champions minimalism, accessibility (meaning it was cheap to buy and maintain) and frugality. These were strong selling points in Europe, but fairly alien concepts on this side of the Atlantic, where people tend to place far more emphasis on flash, luxury and excess. Which is why it never could have enjoyed mainstream popularity here, as beloved as it is by a niche segment of the population.

[@francinesicard464]

My father, a French civil engineer, worked in the 1950s and 1960s in East Africa on many construction sites. He had a Land Rover, a Jeep and a 2CV. When he had to urgently solve a problem on a bush site, no asphalt road thank you, but bush tracks full of potholes turning into mud river during the rainy season, and he did not need to carry heavy and enormous tools or heavy spare parts, he favoured his 2CV to spare his back. He used to say that he would get there faster with his 2CV, ... yes even with a 2CV.

[@DavidfromBA]

@@francinesicard464 Ça en dit long sur la fiabilité et la polyvalence de la 2CV ! (For any non-French speaking people who happen to read this: That speaks volumes about the 2CV's reliability and versatility!)

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

The Citroen 2CV is comfortable, fun, nice and reliable little car.

[@s.mohsenmousavi2541]

Here in Iran it was produced for so long and still it's used for wedding rides 😉

[@KS-qr1ry]

S.Mohsen Mousavi isn’t the internet banned there

[@sassiqua]

KS 451 that’s iraq. and no.

[@scott8919]

Thank you, Joyce.

[@a-aron5691]

+Scott K :| the only facial expression... just :|😐

[@corrodesthefilm]

Joyce isn't having any of his shit.

[@NESherv]

@@corrodesthefilm Joyce is fucking done.

[@hertzair1186]

That is one bitter woman...

[@floppyseizure8615]

I sense sexual tension.

[@stephenberry8658]

Excellent review. Nailing so many parts of its character. More smiles per mile. We have a few more here in Australia than you do in the US. I have done 550,000 kms in 3 new 2CV6s across 42 years. I will never be without my 1990 RHS Charleston. The friendliest car on the planet. Yah.

[@ilijazivanovic3698]

550,500 with them combined or with a single one

[@GoliathAngelus]

Strange to see a 2CV in the U.S

[@goldengod5915]

Little late to the party, but I've seen one or two in the US. I've also seen one Citroen DS.

[@goldengod5915]

@@marcohooghoed715Interesting! The examples I saw were in the metro area of Minneapolis

[@lite4919]

0-60 in.... Never

[@blisterbrain]

Billy Joel had one of these. He crashed it through a hedge and into someone's front yard, but unfortunately not into their swimming pool like Inspector Clouseau. Still you have to admire the effort to propel such a lightweight tin-can auto through such sturdy vegetation!

[@thetetons744]

@@marcohooghoed715 i'd reckon they probably came from quebec haha. From european france to north american france

[@cadsux]

0-60 in 28 seconds is still better than the 1982 Pontiac 1000/Chevy Chevette, which took 30 seconds (also featured in another Motorweek Retro Review). Braking distances are comparable to modern compact/midsize sedans. Not bad for a 29 hp, 2 cylinder "put-put" motor

[@Delorean217]

cadsux Good point, But the 1982 Pontiac 1000 had a automatic transmission. The Citroën has a manual transmission. A manual is about 2 seconds faster then the automatic. Citroën deux chevaux never came with a automatic. So if it had a automatic if would of been 30 or 31 seconds to go 0-60 if it had a automatic.

[@cadsux]

Windows 95 Still, with those untested numbers, it's not bad for a 60 year old design with half the horsepower. The manual transmissions by Citroen and GM were 4 speed, while the GM's automatic was 3 speed. Not all manual transmissions are faster, more fuel efficient, nor more reliable than automatics.

[@sekopiski]

cadsux That braking distance was from 50 mph. Add 10 mph and it will need a lot more.

[@cadsux]

sekopiski I'm aware of that. It wasn't capable of exceeding 50 mph anyway. I'm also aware it doesn't have a turbo/supercharger, power brakes, power steering, performance tires, airbags, on-board computer, AC and other creature comforts, which may or may not have given it an advantage. I can't believe some are nitpicking with a bunch of "if's" over this 60 year old minimalist design in which I had commented as "not bad". Mr. Davis even said "you can't really measure the 2CV's qualities by statistics..."

[@leneanderthalien]

+cadsux Top speed from the 2cv"6" (29hp) is 115kmph= 71mph This speed can be reached without problem on flat road without wind (i drive one), and the engine can run without duration limit at this speed: was designed able to run full power (air and oil cooled)

[@johntimm3507]

Great road test! What a car! It has about 100 times the personality of anything built today.

[@htimsid]

Especially the mundane, bloated SUV / crossover tripe.

[@asa1973100]

Fantastic car , I've owned many over the years, from a brand new one in 1990 to my very last in around 2003 and even after buying other cars like jaguar's and Audi's I've never lost my love for the 2cv

[@stanojevicnatasa2514]

The best car you tested. Most beautiful, most charming, most original. And very, very reliable.

[@riejurv50]

+mipmipmipmipmip The same as every old car in the case of a crash but, with greater brakes, stability and grip to the road than any other, which is also safety, and if its not ocasioned by someone else, to have an accident by yourself in one of this... You'd better not drive anymore. I've owned a few, and many other cars, modern and old ones, and this one is just great.

[@Poopsticle_256]

I don’t like how the 2CV looks...

[@johnmorris7818]

No need for safety It's as fast as a bicycle and uses as little fuel

[@mitch075fr]

@ you don't need to know how to fix them - there's hardly anything that goes wrong with them, and when it does, you can fix it with some chewed gum, some steel wire and pliers. You could actually take the whole car apart using only the emergency crank handle/hubcap remover/wheel nut remover/etc. tool provided with it.

[@srfrg9707]

David M You don't need to know much. Take the wheels : they auto balance. They have special "cowboy hat" nuts allowing the wheel to find its center of mass while you are driving. You can change a tire and put it back in place without realising that wheels in general need to be balanced. The idea was that the engineers had to provide the french famers with a self sustainable car. Also it was the fist tubeless car. The engine is air cooled. It's an aluminiun casted flat 2 cylinders boxer designed by a race engineer. An aluminium engine in 1945! The onboard brakes also are common on race cars. There are no head cylindre gaskets, cause the don't open. Some model have a trafic cluch, disengaging the motor in urban trafic when the car stops. The front and read suspension interact.

[@peter455sd]

Engineering masterpiece

[@dhoffnun]

Who needs a Prius?

[@Z-Twinturbo]

kill 'em with fire!

[@Z-Twinturbo]

albear972 I meant Prius's

[@Alystas]

You're right, 2CV are way more environment friendly to build, and with modern tech, you could easily make them even more economical to drive. Damn safety rules, this car could be the best answer to global warming!

[@tmmurphy]

Climate change darn you, climate change! We don't call it global warming anymore.

[@ScottaHemi440]

loophole is build it with 3 wheels and call it an autocycle ;) safety regulations for those are basically seatbelts and a roll bar

[@tonyzola8550]

Excellent. Well done. Thank you for posting. I have my own 1965 2CV in Bangkok, Thailand

[@chriswheable89]

I have owned my 2cv Charleston for over 20 years and driven almost half a million miles with it. It turns heads and creates interest wherever I go. Would not swap for anything else.

[@Reikro]

I've been waiting for this one! The 2CV, while an acquired taste, is a great little car and a brilliant feat of engineering and packaging, if not build quality and speed. Thank you for uploading this.

[@TheOzthewiz]

It does have BETTER build quality than the FCA cars of late!

[@daniellecryderman2954]

@@TheOzthewiz yes, without a doubt your right. FCA is trash

[@MrMarinus18]

It was build to be cheap to buy and cheap to repair. Almost everything is bolted on so you can just unbolt it. It was mainly for farmers while didn't own cars at the time. I think another thing that has made the 2CV what it is, is it's exterior design. It's very rounded and cute even when compared to other European cars at the time. Americans especially found it very remarkable when compared to cars from the same era like the Mustang. It just looks cute and appealing which is a big reason why you see the car in children's shows all the time.

[@superbracey]

I never saw the appeal of the 2CV when they were commonplace on UK roads. But now I kind of do. It's motoring at its most simple. I'd have one as a 3rd car.

[@h.s.5995]

Superbracey I never understood why British people always hated french cars. Now I do, jealousy

[@nkt1]

Sedna S Rubbish. Particularly in the 80s and 90s, French cars were *wildly* popular in the UK.

[@oliviersavard8676]

@@h.s.5995 Well, English cars are generally pretty rubbish

[@billybellend1155]

H Souza Peugeot Citroen Renault are the best in the world at building crap cars. The last time they built good cars was the 90’s.

[@jesseyjordan8750]

Such neat little cars! Fun review, thanks once again Motorweek! :D

[@RoadCone411]

This may be the best road test MW ever did! Love it!

[@ryansrides9714]

What a wild looking car!!! Thank you for showing us motor week!!

[@briannavarrete49]

I remember it for Snoopy driving it in Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown

[@doctorzaius4084]

Wow this is awesome, I never would've guessed that MW got their hands on a 2CV!!

[@roddydykes7053]

0:23 lmao that intro is pure wooden acting, crazy how that was the finished product John: well I guess we’ll just have to wait, thank you, Joyce. Joyce: *blank stare.*

[@julirensch]

loved my 1964....first set of tires went 75,000 miles

[@geoffgarner4614]

Puts a massive smile on my face to drive ours, genious in design and simplicity...

[@BelarminodeAthayde1966]

My dad had one the same color as in the video. That car was great, economic, with low maintenance. A great urban car and good for the highway as well.

[@MeDicen_Rocha]

I cant imagine how terrifing a 2cv on the highway would be.

[@TheOzthewiz]

@@MeDicen_Rocha In a word......................................DEATHTRAP!!!!!

[@jmarcp8916]

2 CV Charleston .

[@joaoteixeira822]

This car is so stylish! I would love to have one but in Brazil Citroen never sold one.

[@fernandorocha8459]

This car is iconic. Never sold in Brazil

[@speechworker]

I have a 1988 Burgundy/Black Charleston like the one in the video. I love this car, driving it is always an event with people giving us a thumbs up, a smile or taking our picture. It's surprisingly simple and very reliable, I'll have other cars but this one will always be in my garage!

[@nopochoclos]

I have a 3CV argentine version of 2CV6 , i use it every day !!, best car for enjoy driving very funny and relaxing!

[@crimsonchrome3012]

had one of these when i was stationed in germany........so cool

[@johannesfranck1770]

i grew up with one of those, every mother in the neighborhood had one, i remember at least 5 2CV, our had a hole in the back floor just covered by a floor mat, my mother told me this hole is to escape when the car is upside down, i believed her for years....at least it was fun seeing the street under your feet’s...

[@danmccarthy4700]

Yes!!! I've been waiting for this one! Thanks, Motorweek!

[@danielthomas3333]

My friend at university had one. 1963 It was quite useful and carried him around town quite well.

[@IVR02]

I've seen 2 2CV's in the US. One was at a car show in New Jersey, and the other was being driven around as a sort of rolling advertisement for a business in Bar Harbor, Maine.

[@16mmDJ]

better than a yugo

[@andraskopf268]

But a Yugo is stronger and safer then a 2CV !

[@MacTechG4]

That’s a pretty low bar, to be fair, a frakking skateboard is better than the Yugo.

[@FEGTTTSDH]

Far better, this have a superb ride and extremely easy to repair

[@gregorizi]

@@MacTechG4 It is nice when people which didn't own Yugo, have lots to say about car, that they only seen on media. I love how american people love their more than half century old V8 push rod, 2 valves per cylinder, low rew, uneconomical, environment destroying engines. This only show that people dont have their own opinion and are easy manipulated.

[@charliehmi76]

I like the little conversation at the start... 'Aaaaannnd ACTION!' blank stare...

[@richardgoffin-lecar1951]

I love the Citroën 2CV. Lovely little car.

[@ThunderAppeal]

Watching that little 2CV go through the slalom, what a truly valiant sight. Its like a little french bulldog determined to demonstrate what its truly made of.

[@ThePuffin77]

That description is great!

[@jeffmullinix7916]

The VW Bug had independent but the got 25 mpg tops and was even slower and the top speed was 80 mph . So the French did their work in art and engineering . A true sense of form and function . A sensible car . Cant go so fast to hurt your self and built in safety that your arms get tired before the steering does . Enough room for not one but two sheep . LOL . It also has enough room for three French women and a bottle of french wine . LOL

[@danielvergara2901]

Most intelligent car ever built .

[@FEGTTTSDH]

Mr. Cairo The DS was about tecnology and advance, the s class is amazing when they work, except in mainteinance, the 2cv is about practicaly

[@ctranger]

Anyone recall what year this review aired? Last time I saw one on the road was when I was in college in the early 1970s. A young lady owned it; was always stalling it in traffic; maybe she had problems with that shifter.

[@mattdavis9601]

I guess around 1986-1987. John mentions during the slalom that this car is a 38 year old design. The 2CV was introduced by Citroen in 1948.

[@kevinwoodard6571]

Back in the late 1980s, I probably saw a Citroen 2CV in Washington state somewhere. It must have been a black one. But then I could be wrong.

[@raulruiz128]

the first car i ever drove for going to the university was a red and black 2cv as the one shown at the beginning. i miss it so much!!

[@dvamateur]

Quite a beautiful car and a musette tuned accordion.

[@pierrepinson2906]

🌹05:33, j'💖 cette deux chevaux.. ....🇫🇷J'adore le fond de la musique jouée par YVETTE HORNER😘.

[@brucew.5292]

I love these retro reviews! thank you for posting

[@alfnoakes392]

When I opened the air-slot (3:00) in my 2CV with my mate and his 4 year old in the car, the kid asked "Is this a toy car?" : )

[@prieten49]

As you can tell from my avatar, I think the 2CV is just about the cutest thing on earth. What a shame it isn't made anymore. But used ones are being refurbished and are selling for top dollar. They will be around for a while longer! Yay!

[@BelarminodeAthayde1966]

+Stuart M. You can buy them cheap in Argentina.

[@Juanknes]

+Stuart M. The IES models come later. Here we have the Citroen "3CV", wich is pretty much the same as the 2CV6 (a 2CV with the 600cc engine).

[@DanafoxyVixen]

I guess I can tell from your avatar you've moved on from 2CVs

[@SDreher58]

The French copy no one, and no one copies the French! Viva La France!

[@LucianoMMatias]

Robert Pierson the planing of the VW started in 1931 and the 2CV in 1934. The first 2CV rolled out in 1939 and production was stoped due to WW2. There where also other companies trying to develop a “peoples car” these two cars were the first to achieve that with success.

[@mindujiman]

@Robert Pierson Answer doesn't mean copy. In fact, they are totally diferent cars, from the engine to the architecture itself. The 2cv was an incredible innovative car. And let me say that nazis, I mean, VW started it's project in 1937, not 1931, so in any case the Bettle was the copy. Did you know the Frenchs hide this project because they were afraid of Nazis to steal it? That's why.

[@gil7555]

SDreher58 : le mot juste & correct est ' V.I.V.E. ' non VIVA . Cher Monsieur . THANK YOU VERY BEAUCOUP .

[@MrSebfrench76]

A 2CV in running condition , not restored , with logical scratches , sells at 5 ooo Euros here....Some are reaching more than 12 000 in neat condition , concours of elegance.Wich is stupid cause they were cheap cars ,made for the people ,and not for being upgraded until they look like a RRoyce...

[@8584zender]

True for pretty much any 60s American muscle car that is selling for 50-100 grand (or more!).

[@markfortin421]

Have you priced any 23 window VW vans lately? Over $100K (U.S.) and Climbing...now about that re-manufactured 2CV from Maryland? I want one!!

[@southamericanredneck9471]

Memories of my childhood back in Calais...

[@pbfloyd13]

I saw one of these in person at a cars and coffee last week! Please say you have a DS review too ***** !!!

[@bill739123]

I came close to buying one just like the one on this show old but new. It was at the autoshow in Toronto many years ago. I still think I should have bought it . If I had kept it all these years in good shape I would really have something few people have seen around here

[@bobbates7343]

I remember being at the Toronto car show when those redone cars were imported here. They looked like they were new. I almost bought one but then I thought about the parts supply and lack of dealers. So I bought a Jeep instead

[@stephencarrigg4371]

There's an old 2cv that an older couple owns in the neighborhood adjacent to mine.

[@vidguy007]

$59.95?

[@220Hoi]

Probably 5,399 meant as 53-hundred

[@RevengeofGothzilla]

James About what they're worth, honestly.

[@harrycallahan9733]

5:40 They should try this car in a down pour (borrow a fire truck), and see if that fabric roof leaks. It doesn't look very waterproof :)

[@PearComputingDevices]

When I think of this car, I think of Trabunt, Yugo. A different kind of car, for that different kind of buyer. I certainly enjoy the retro part:)

[@harleymitchelly5542]

More accurate would be with the original VW Beetle. Both, in their own ways, were never intended to compete with cars, but horses and buggies, hence extremely simple design, ease of maintenance, and robust build quality.

[@prototype615h]

I just love how honestly simple it is

[@techmaven5900]

I have an old issue of Motor Trend that tested a 1931 Ford Model A...It did 0-60 in 30 seconds...just as it crossed the 1/4 mile finish line.

[@DiegoTorresNavarro]

It is an umbrella on wheels

[@bid84]

Cool little car, getting expensive here in Ireland. Wouldn't like to be inside one in a crash though... You would end up wearing it like a hat

[@tonypate9174]

Very Panze-- sorry Merc S Class then and a top "gangsta" one as well ! see You Tube for DEAD MANS SHOES

[@nopochoclos]

I have one! mine is 3cv in Argentina, yes i think on crash but.. worst is a motorcycle! , the problem is idiots driving at ilegal speeds and without driving skills too..

[@McBeamer94]

Mr. Davis, you're wrong: the 2CV wasn't named after its engine's physical horsepower (it had 9hp, after all!)! It was originally named after its number of taxable horsepower, 2hp (or ''2CV'', since it was a french tax)!

[@dethak]

I think he said "fiscal horsepower."

[@Z-Twinturbo]

pretty simple cars so nothing much to go wrong, but you dont wanna have a crash in that

[@MarkGelderland]

Despite the look and flimsy structure of the car, the 2CV chassis is surprisingly strong.

[@FlixTV101]

Of course it is, until you get destroyed by an SUV.

[@Alystas]

@@FlixTV101 Maybe but at least a 2CV can avoid colision, try to avoid hitting a deer, for example, with an SUV going 50mph you'd end up in a ditch or on the roof.

[@MikeLoveBuns]

Great car! 😀🚗😘 Mike from Missouri

[@MrMenefrego1]

"Two Horse"... Does that make it a Pony Car? 👀 Sorry...

[@MemoBar100]

My father taught me how to drive in a 2CV when I was 12... the best memories.

[@daniellecryderman2954]

@MemoBar100 nice, my grandparents friend taught me how to drive a blue 1986 2CV when I was 8 years old. That was 5 years ago. Now I’m an autocross driver almost 14.

[@munkeenevahrong239]

That shifter is unique. Bet that top leaks like a faucet. Can't argue the logic of design tho.

[@Alystas]

The Citroen 2Cv, one of the few car so likable that you want to give it extra points "for effort" X3

[@harleymitchelly5542]

Honestly, it's a good competitor to the VW Beetle or VW Thing in terms of what it set out to do. It was never meant to compete with cars originally, Andre Citroen originally devised the car to compete with the horse and buggy, and that sardine-tin top was so that a man could ride comfortably in one without removing his top hat. Hence the pure simplicity of the thing. The entire body can be removed with the undoing of I believe 29 bolts. 'Twas but a simple car for simple driving.

[@mercoid]

Chris Harris has one and loves it. That should tell you a lot.

[@erikhertzer8434]

I’m surprised they didn’t just sell these simple cars as kits you can build in a couple weekends...

[@fixman88]

I have wanted to have one of these for years! Unfortunately in the USA they are very rare; I have yet to see one in person. One neat thing he didn't mention is that you can actually start the car with a hand crank, just like the Ford Model T (and Model A but by then it wasn't needed as much).

[@Polyboy70]

They are meanwhile very expensive in Europe. I would recomment to go to Spain to find one in good conditions for a resonable price.Anyway, it is an icon.

[@8584zender]

Incredibly hard to find and if you see one, the owner isn't about to let it go. Supply and demand.

[@hadrien4089]

Here in France we got plenty of them but they starting to rise in price : today she's starts around 5000€ for a decent model, quite pricey to me.

[@RevengeofGothzilla]

Fixy Clary They're rare because they rust like crazy, and the metal they're made of is so thin it doesn't take very long for them to rust away to nothing.

[@nopochoclos]

Better in Argentina we have the 3CV and still find new parts!

[@mightbesherwood1313]

Very squeaky suspension, seems to make accordion sounds?

[@citronr1]

Not “coil springs” at all four wheels. only two coil springs each one laying lying horizontally between the front and rear wheel on each side of the car with incredibly long suspension travel making it almost impossible to lift a wheel off the ground. An amazing car. I presently.own three versions: One 50s look sedan, one fourgonette.AK400 and one plastic. bodied Mehari. All with the same engine, transmission and chassis. NOTHING charms like a 2CV. re

[@piccalillipit9211]

I watched an engineering video on the suspension by a guy that has written a book on 120 years of car suspension - its truly genius how the tube the springs are in move back and forth to limit the back and forth pitch of the car.

[@landyachtfan79]

John said he LOVED it!!!!!

[@johnnybarrett9769]

I love the 2cv good video.

[@boss12]

I love these just for being what they are.

[@chrislemaster2695]

This makes the 1985 Yugo GV FAst

[@leneanderthalien]

the 2cv6 did take 115km/h, not so bad for 29hp and aerodynamics from 1948...

[@magnusjohansson295]

Fantastic little car.

[@smartman123]

this car is like a tank

[@carwrtr1]

It’s cute, and it does have its good points. However, I’d want automatic transmission...

[@wadeguidry6675]

My 6 foot 4 buddy had one of these he drove in college, same color too.

[@crs290]

Joyce wasn't having any of John's cavalier "wait and see" attitude.

[@smittywerbenjagermanjensen8176]

"Others say a classic is anything long enough to have Rust as its permanent trim color." Lmfao, but also i agree

[@ianeyd5215]

@4:00, "aircon" off for faster acceleration

[@LeftIsBest001]

It was surprisingly agile on the test track 😂

[@playerDJFL]

I wonder what the crash test results looks like... if there is one.

[@tsomeone950]

It's damn quick for a tiny engine that's the size of a piston in some other cars. Shows u dont need a lot to get the job done

[@johnsmith-mz9hh]

Is that a Saab sonnet at the beginning?

[@anonymoususer6683]

Classic design.

[@InsertFlashyName]

RegularCars one of these would be a fantastic review...if you could find one!

[@tonypate9174]

If only Doug Demuro's big head could fit in one for a er "quality" car review A kool (with a k) dude and a brave one with that EHS syndrome and wavy arms he's got

[@TheOzthewiz]

They will in 2 years from YOUR comment, or 3 years AGO from MY comment!

[@christiancontreras5349]

I wonder how much these go for now

[@jorgeamchz6942]

Un diseño muy francés algo extravagante, mecánica sencilla pero funcional., Ojalá se hubiera vendido en México.

[@nopochoclos]

Pero ustedes tienen el Bocho , escarabajo, beetle que comparten era y algo de mecanica boxer a disfrutar de esas joyas

[@AaronGranda-g5r]

Mention the 2cv azl with two engines

[@ericwhitehead6451]

Joyce didn't look very impressed with Olds at the beginning.... 😐

[@TheHelado36]

These are beauties !!!!!!

[@mhmrules]

It's a shame my goat likes to be a backseat driver when we go on our Sunday afternoon drive.

[@AdamAdamHDL]

And the price, 59.95. I still wouldn't buy it for 60 bucks. And the sardine can type removable roof is the perfect analogy for its construction and layout. I'm being harsh, it has a certain charm. I'm sure it carts stripy shirts and baguettes around just fine.

[@mccrackenphillip]

Not bad seeing they had like 12 hp from that I read must be for us here in the states