Beautiful and Strange Old Cars

[Wilfried]

The Citroën Traction Avant and the Citroën DS became almost legendary, but there was still another one which should be considered:

The Citroën 2 CV

In the Flemish speaking part of Belgium this strange, little car was commonly known as the "Ugly Duck".

Personally I never thought of the 2 CV as ugly, but that's a personal opinion of course.


The Citroën 2CV (French: "deux chevaux" i.e. "deux chevaux-vapeur" (lit. 'steam horses'), "two tax horsepower") was an economy car produced by the French car manufacturer Citroën between 1948 and 1990. It was technologically advanced and innovative, but with uncompromisingly utilitarian unconventional looks, and deceptively simple.

It is considered one of Citroën's most iconic cars. In 1953 Autocar in a technical review of the car wrote of "the extraordinary ingenuity of this design, which is undoubtedly the most original since the Model T Ford".

It was designed for low cost, simplicity of use and maintenance, versatility, reliability, low fuel consumption and off-road driving. For this it had a light, easily serviceable engine, extremely soft long travel suspension (with height adjustment by lengthening/shortening of tie rods) high ground clearance, and for oversized loads a car-wide canvas sunroof, which (until 1955) also covered the boot.

The purchase price of the 2CV was always very low. In Germany in the 1960s, for example, it cost about half as much as a Volkswagen Beetle.

[kirk13]

The day I realised I was getting old,if not necessarily growing up,was when I realised that here,in the real world, the 2CV is actually my dream car! A low cost,sensible classic!

Now,please,either some one shoot me,or at least bat me round the head with a Ferrari catalogue 

[Wilfried]

The day I realised I was getting old,if not necessarily growing up,was when I realised that here,in the real world, the 2CV is actually my dream car! A low cost,sensible classic!

Now,please,either some one shoot me,or at least bat me round the head with a Ferrari catalogue

I would consider you to be a very sensible man.   

I really miss those cars.   

[Wilfried]

Admire the simplicity of the 1959 Citroën 2 CV!

I just love the distinct sound of that engine...   

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I often said someone should make something like the 2cv again. I understand that it can never happen because of safety, emissions ect, but not everyone want all the frills motoring. A lot of my motor bikes and scooters were dead uncool, but just worked and worked

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[Etherealicer]

I often said someone should make something like the 2cv again. I understand that it can never happen because of safety, emissions ect, but not everyone want all the frills motoring. A lot of my motor bikes and scooters were dead uncool, but just worked and worked

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Nononono please not the 2CV if you want to revive a car then it has to be the original Bug.
Though I have to admit I'm a sucker for the original Cinquecento



Here in Switzerland we call all those small round cars "Knutschkugeln" (Smooch Bubbles), because they are so cute

[Etherealicer]

I think we should also honor Pinifarina in this thread:



Probably his most iconic design is the Ferrari Dino, he also did a Chevrolet:


More images here

[pfrsantos]

 

[pfrsantos]

More seriously, BMW Isetta "Rollling Egg" 1956.

Only 3 wheels, very funny concept. One of my grandparents' neighbours had one of these.

[Wilfried]

@Etherealicer

My grandfather in Germany owned a Fiat 500 for some time back in the early 60s.

Although it was a pleasant, little car, it didn't really thrill me. The 2 CV on the other hand still does.   

[enki_ck]

I often said someone should make something like the 2cv again. I understand that it can never happen because of safety, emissions ect, but not everyone want all the frills motoring. A lot of my motor bikes and scooters were dead uncool, but just worked and worked

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Nononono please not the 2CV if you want to revive a car then it has to be the original Bug.
Though I have to admit I'm a sucker for the original Cinquecento

(Image removed from quote.)

Here in Switzerland we call all those small round cars "Knutschkugeln" (Smooch Bubbles), because they are so cute

Don't forget the Fiat 126, known in these parts as Peglica (the little iron).



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_126

[Wilfried]

@pfrsantos

On the BMW Isetta see also reply # 23   

[Wilfried]

A fairly good video on the Citroën Traction Avant

[pfrsantos]

@pfrsantos

On the BMW Isetta see also reply # 23   

I didn't see a photo, that's why I posted those... Oh well, I think it deserves a double post!

 

[Wilfried]

@pfrsantos

On the BMW Isetta see also reply # 23   

I didn't see a photo, that's why I posted those... Oh well, I think it deserves a double post!

 

It sure does!   


I only mentioned it for your information.   

[dks]

I often said someone should make something like the 2cv again. I understand that it can never happen because of safety, emissions ect, but not everyone want all the frills motoring.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Get a Dacia 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Top Gear have ruined Dacia's for me

I've not even got a car licence

Never liked cars, but can ride anything on two wheels

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[kirk13]

I often said someone should make something like the 2cv again. I understand that it can never happen because of safety, emissions ect, but not everyone want all the frills motoring.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Get a Dacia 

Yes,thank you Captain Slow!

[powernoodle]

This one is from the Powernoodle Antique Automobile Collection.  Currently there is only one vehicle in the collection, but that is beside the point.


1969 Chevrolet CST-10 truck.

[MadPlumbarian]

A kid I went to high school had one of those trucks, his was white with a red bed liner though, JR

[Whoey]

Some of these have been featured on Wheeler Dealers... one of the reasons I love watching shows like that - Wheeler Dealers, Overhaulin, Fast n Loud, Graveyard Carz etc. Obviously some have a very different focus, and even WD at times can be a bit off (I've seen them do a 2000+ car or two, hardly a classic...) But sometimes it's real gems like the Isetta, they've done a Fiat Dino and a Ferrari Dino, and a Citroen DS...

Personally I'd love to have a double garage and somewhere to put a 70s Plymouth 'Cuda project... I'd actually prefer a Fast n Loud style makeover, with modern underside (shocks/brakes/etc) with the classic body on top vs the Graveyard Carz pure OEM restoration... (but they do amazing work!)

[Wilfried]

This one is from the Powernoodle Antique Automobile Collection.  Currently there is only one vehicle in the collection, but that is beside the point.


1969 Chevrolet CST-10 truck.

I like the looks of that car!   

[kkokkolis]

Not that ild but as strange as it gets. The Fiat Multipla!

[Wilfried]

The original Fiat 600 Multipla from 1956 was widely used as a taxi in many parts of Italy until the 1970s.

 

[kkokkolis]

What about the VW T2 then?

[Wilfried]

@kkokkolis

I've seen a lot of those VW T 2s during the 60s and early 70s. I've always liked them. At one time they were also used by the Belgian Police.

This one was also around during those times:

[Etherealicer]

The original Fiat 600 Multipla from 1956 was widely used as a taxi in many parts of Italy until the 1970s.

 

Oh my, that is a lovely car. Had to check it out its so cuddely

and found the Fiat 600 Multipla Marinella - Nothing says class like wicker chairs - its perfect

[Aloha]

A friend of mine drove an AMC Gremlin his father picked up from somewhere.  What a strange car this was.

[Aloha]

I wrote in another thread my mom was a huge fan of Lincoln Continental and had a few in her time.

1961

[Wilfried]

The original Fiat 600 Multipla from 1956 was widely used as a taxi in many parts of Italy until the 1970s.

 

Oh my, that is a lovely car. Had to check it out its so cuddely

and found the Fiat 600 Multipla Marinella - Nothing says class like wicker chairs - its perfect
(Image removed from quote.)

I was planning to post this one also, but I'm glad you did it anyway!   

What a nice, little car that Marinella is, isn't it?