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!