Me and my French motors (2CV, BX, 309)
Posted: 15 Jan 2012, 21:18
Hi folks
I joined up here a fair while ago (when I had a Renault 21 Monaco) and have owned all manner of French tin over the years. Well, ok, mainly 2CVs and Dyanes but also an H van which I took to Sweden, a CX which I found excellent in the snow last winter (bar the intermittent heater fan...), a very early dash-change Renault 5 and an assortment of BXs - either 1.9 diesels (three of) or a 16v (biggest shed ever).
Currently own my long term 2CV, a super-rare BX Mk1 estate (2nd biggest shed ever) and a Peugeot 309 which I'm selling.
Here's the 2CV, leading a group on a run in Snowdonia yesterday.
Here's the BX, also in Snowdonia while a mate fiddles with it (planned maintenance, not a failure!)
Here's the Peugeot. Um, also in Snowdonia...
I don't live in Snowdonia, but I do seem to end up there regularly! With the Peugeot, I'd just swapped it and a large dose of cash for a Rover 75. I prefer the Peugeot. It's super-simple (right down to the overhead valve Simca-origin engine) but alas I'm always on the look-out for something new.
The BX is a major project, though I'm just about managing it as a rolling restoration. It's rotten, but not overly so. Currently got hydraulic issues which I think are weak pump related. Cleared all the nasty gunk out of the reservoir today, which has made a slight improvement. It's done 229,000, and the engine's getting a bit weak now. Considering dropping in a later 1.9 engine, though that may upset the purists (if they're not already gnashing their teeth over the condition!).
The 2CV I've owned since 2000 and we've been through a lot together. Almost 100,000 miles in fact and a complete rebuild. Has her issues, but she's a definite keeper. Few cars are as much fun to drive on Welsh roads!
I joined up here a fair while ago (when I had a Renault 21 Monaco) and have owned all manner of French tin over the years. Well, ok, mainly 2CVs and Dyanes but also an H van which I took to Sweden, a CX which I found excellent in the snow last winter (bar the intermittent heater fan...), a very early dash-change Renault 5 and an assortment of BXs - either 1.9 diesels (three of) or a 16v (biggest shed ever).
Currently own my long term 2CV, a super-rare BX Mk1 estate (2nd biggest shed ever) and a Peugeot 309 which I'm selling.
Here's the 2CV, leading a group on a run in Snowdonia yesterday.
Here's the BX, also in Snowdonia while a mate fiddles with it (planned maintenance, not a failure!)
Here's the Peugeot. Um, also in Snowdonia...
I don't live in Snowdonia, but I do seem to end up there regularly! With the Peugeot, I'd just swapped it and a large dose of cash for a Rover 75. I prefer the Peugeot. It's super-simple (right down to the overhead valve Simca-origin engine) but alas I'm always on the look-out for something new.
The BX is a major project, though I'm just about managing it as a rolling restoration. It's rotten, but not overly so. Currently got hydraulic issues which I think are weak pump related. Cleared all the nasty gunk out of the reservoir today, which has made a slight improvement. It's done 229,000, and the engine's getting a bit weak now. Considering dropping in a later 1.9 engine, though that may upset the purists (if they're not already gnashing their teeth over the condition!).
The 2CV I've owned since 2000 and we've been through a lot together. Almost 100,000 miles in fact and a complete rebuild. Has her issues, but she's a definite keeper. Few cars are as much fun to drive on Welsh roads!
My daughter asked, as we were travelling on that lovely road between Welshpool and Machynlleth for her first visit to Aber, why the grass was so green... There's only one reason why the grass looks so lush in those parts....