Buying a 2CV what to look out for?

Gaskin · Unread post by **Gaskin** » 15 Dec 2008, 00:56

A friend of mine is looking at a 2CV this week. It apparently has had a new galvanised chassis. Any points to look out for other than obvious rot?

Cheers

Duncan

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 15 Dec 2008, 08:52

Hi Duncan, they are pretty rudimentary (but very cool)

Apart from the rust issue then the standard mechanical checks apply, and make sure the clutch performs faultlessly.

From memory im pretty sure you cant change it with the engine in situ, you have to take the front end apart and the engine out.

Spares are aplenty though so no worries there.

Wish i could buy one

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 15 Dec 2008, 18:34

I think Malcolm (citronut) is a bit of an expert on the ol' 2CV, I think there's a few in his family. Might be worth giving him a shout.

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 15 Dec 2008, 18:50

They're almost a big Airfix kit you pay insurance and road tax on!!

Not sure about spares aplenty, but yes, there are model specific parts
suppliers who always advertise in the Classic mags.

Things to look out for in no particular order:

Torn hoods - can be expensive if particular style required and it's not black,
and some replacements come with HRW and there are two types of opening;
one has pins that hook into a opening frame, other has hooks on leading
edge. Important as only rear weather protection that will stop rot issues
lower down!!

Kingpins/trunnions - need almost constant upkeep and greasing and always
an MOT issue sometime or other.

main bodyshell floorpans and sills, bulkhead and rear inner wheelarches
- these areas are on top of the obvious chassis woes

talking of rust, the rear cones of the main bodyshell where they meet the
rear numberplate panel and the opening vent flap and it's surround.

Battery weight/fatigue splitting tray cut out in bulkhead on engine bay side.

Minor but important as combustible - cardboard heat collection pipes can
collapse onto inboard discs and send the lot up in flames!!

tired 'normal' struts that check the body shell level on top of worn main
longitudinal dampers.

knife edges of steering can wear and in fact have bad play on mounting
for tie rods.

Failure of reverse on gearbox - watch the gearbox carefully!!

play on steering column - I've had one actually break...

Generally, folk have the general impression these aren't real cars so don't
need the same upkeep and maintenance which is obviously not the case
but a reason they can be abused; probably the other reason for the major
cull of these after the chassis problems which now precede them!

Andrew

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 16 Dec 2008, 08:35

most of what Andrew says, appart from the knife edges are triangular pins the conect the suspension rods to the arms,

the heater ductting very seldom falls down onto the exhaust and gose up in flames if the are not secured,

new roofs complete with rear screen are under £150

and Vince the clutch is a walk in the park,

2CV spare are very readaly avalible

regards malcolm

den169 · Unread post by **den169** » 16 Dec 2008, 12:44

My brother runs a 2cv garage business total rebuilds sales parts etc . It amazes me how many people love the old 2cv,I wouldn't be seen dead in one.

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 17 Dec 2008, 13:04

nout wrong with a dersh, they are magic and at least 99.9% of dersh drivers wave at each other, and the most complicated bit of electronics are the flasher can and head lamp relays

regards malcolm

Unread post by **aerodynamica** » 18 Dec 2008, 08:33

2cvs rule! Buy - it'll change your life!