Three years in the life of one of the last 2CVs ...... part one

I can’t remember exactly when we bought it but it was one of the last to roll off the production line in Portugal and as the last were made in 1990 I guess it must have been around then.

 You either loved them with  their simple technology and charm or derided them as nothing more than a motor cycle with a body.

 Me I liked them and derived great pleasure from telling people that when the weather got hot we could either pull the canvas roof back or pull a lever to open the vent at the front to let in the fresh air.

And ours also came with a wooden wedge and starter handle both of which were kept in the boot.

They also had a particular bounce and roll which was fine unless you were sitting in the back

But it was a fun car and one that I had a sneaking affection for because it was really the technology of the 1930s.

Not a lot could go wrong and nothing did. Unlike the smart car owned by Les and Di opposite us which when a light went out on the dashboard stopped the car dead and cost real money to replace. It was the perfect car for a summer’s holiday, and it took us to Yorkshire and many a day out.

 Pictures; from the collection of Andrew Simpson