Enthusiast I
Hello everyone! Made an account ages ago but never got round to actually posting. Great to see there is a 2WD forum now! I don’t know what proportion of the OB community is based in Europe but I’m sure it’ll be of interest anyway.
I’d like to introduce my Citroen 2CV, a model that was in production from 1948 until 1990 (you read that right). These cars are often appreciated for their French icon status, but a lot of people don’t realise the off-road capability and history that these cars have. The 2CV is famously known for its design brief of being able to carry a farmer and his eggs to market through a plowed field without breaking the eggs. As a result, it has a very unique longitudinal suspension system which gives it seemingly infinite suspension travel.
There was also a 4x4 version named the 2CV Sahara, sporting a twin engine setup! These were used by some forest police.
In its history, 2CVs have taken part in all sorts of off-road and long distance travel events. Citroen even sponsored the Raid Afrique 1973, even publishing a document on how to prepare a 2CV for this kind of use.
I would like to introduce my particular 2CV, Elaine. A late 1988 model which has had... a few upgrades.
This car started off as a rusty wreck that I bought for £800. 18 months later and it now looks like this! Everything (apart from the roll cage) was done by myself as a learning experience, and what experience that was! Every modification has been done with overland travel in mind, and there are still things to do.
The list of mods (that I can remember) are:
If you want to see more, the car is on Instagram@2cv_motorraid.
You can also see (and hear) the car in action here:
And finally a few more photos, hope you like them. Let’s push (pull) the 2WD world forward!
I’d like to introduce my Citroen 2CV, a model that was in production from 1948 until 1990 (you read that right). These cars are often appreciated for their French icon status, but a lot of people don’t realise the off-road capability and history that these cars have. The 2CV is famously known for its design brief of being able to carry a farmer and his eggs to market through a plowed field without breaking the eggs. As a result, it has a very unique longitudinal suspension system which gives it seemingly infinite suspension travel.
There was also a 4x4 version named the 2CV Sahara, sporting a twin engine setup! These were used by some forest police.
In its history, 2CVs have taken part in all sorts of off-road and long distance travel events. Citroen even sponsored the Raid Afrique 1973, even publishing a document on how to prepare a 2CV for this kind of use.
I would like to introduce my particular 2CV, Elaine. A late 1988 model which has had... a few upgrades.
This car started off as a rusty wreck that I bought for £800. 18 months later and it now looks like this! Everything (apart from the roll cage) was done by myself as a learning experience, and what experience that was! Every modification has been done with overland travel in mind, and there are still things to do.
The list of mods (that I can remember) are:
- BMW R1100RT motorbike engine. The original 602cc engine offered an exciting 29hp. The new, fuel injected 1100cc engine offers 95hp and the reliability of a proven adventure bike. With a weight of 650kg (1433lbs) the performance is surprising!
- Quaife ATB LSD I’m the original 2CV gearbox for improved loose terrain grip. It’s amazing that these gearboxes take 3 times the power without any complaints with very minor modifications.
- Custom made roll cage, including supports for the Sparco Sprint seats and Sabelt harnesses.
- New, upgraded galvanised chassis.
- Reinforced suspension throughout, including VERY upgraded suspension arms and updated springs.
- Banded wheels to fit substantially larger tyres (165/80R15) . Still small by modern standards but much larger than the original 125s
- Wiring harness for the entire car (including engine) made from scratch.
- Fuel system built from scratch to accommodate the injected engine.
If you want to see more, the car is on Instagram@2cv_motorraid.
You can also see (and hear) the car in action here:
And finally a few more photos, hope you like them. Let’s push (pull) the 2WD world forward!
