1986 Citroën 2CV 6 - The Tin Snail's Indian Summer 

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It is truly amazing how different I feel about these now compared to the 1980's. In the 1980's I thought they looked horrendous, and I could never understand why anyone bought them. Then in 1991 a friend bought one and he showed me how the seats come out to make deck chairs and how the engine was so simple with no distributor.. but even then whilst I appreciated the clever design I still thought the looked awful. Gradually I came to first stop hating them, then accept them as OK looking and now I just love them.

As much as I have enjoyed all your videos, this one has to be my favorite, since I chuckled aloud about every 15 seconds. As always your content was packed with information and presented with your own wry wit and the innate British charm we Americans find so irresistible. I have never seen or heard of most of the cars you review, and certainly haven't seen one of these little beauties in the wild here in Dallas. Although they were a fixture in post war French films and old newsreels, I had no idea they were in production until 1990. Great little car. Thanks for the tour and the much appreciated diversion in this frightening and troubled time. Be well.

Ed, although I have of course thanked you for such a wonderfully enthusiastic review of our Citroen 2CV privately I thought you should know publicly how we viewed your video. Extremely factual, considered and passionate. It was fantastic to meet you and be able to provide a car that you are so very obviously interested in. All the best, Paul.

This is the absolute antithesis of what I want and look for in a car.. but do you know what, you have almost convinced me I need one...I love it!

That's a good name for it, the Francemobile. When I was living in Paris back in the late '50s you couldn't turn around without seeing one.

Love it! "In case of breakdown, bring cheese and biscuits"! Ha ha ha ha!

I don’t remember seeing a video before that gives such a good look around a 2CV. Great job!

" . . .while cornering on the door handles." It's always a pleasure to watch your reviews.

Great review mate so refreshing, not dwelling on all the cliches and instead giving us a really detailed overview of the car. Your narration is so well informed. Puts reviews from far bigger channels to shame. Paul’s channel is cracking too.

When I was a kid, my mother's friend had a hearing-aid-beige Dyane; as a kid, I'd sometimes be picked up in it from school as her son and I were friends. Never was I so embarrassed when I was picked up in it at the age of 10 (back in 1989) and used to hide on the floor on the hope my friends wouldn't see me! Wind the clocks forward and now, at the age of 41 I think they're wonderful cars. I'd never ever own one, but the charm, the noise and pure simplicity make them such a fantastic icon of a vehicle. Thanks for the video! One day I'll have the pleasure in driving one.

Love these, such an iconic car. Thanks for featuring it.My biggest regret is passing up on an opportunity to buy one of these in the 90s for the crazy price of £50.00 - what was I thinking! -Doh!

it is a very simple and reliable car. perfect for beginners that want a classic car

The Citroen 2CV is one of my favourite cars. The 2CVs rival the Renault 4 is also one of my favourite cars

My sister had 2 and I drove both frequently. As for light stalk, the V stands for Ville, hence side and dipped beam. The R meanwhile stands for Route, hence dipped and main beam. Air vent screw under the dash was liable to leak in the rain, and if the heater tubes unattached themselves you got warning of disaster from a charred smell entering the cabin. I speak from experience. We took the cars all over France, Spain, Germany and Italy in the 70s. Cheap, comfortable and fun.

You are as good for me as any any other motoring journalist I watch. You’re very good. Pete UK

Love the video. Had one of the first 2CVs Citroen re-introduced to the UK in 1974 [?]. As you may have noticed, the headlights are not attached to the wings or any part of the body. They are attached to the 2 ends of a horizontal bar which crosses the front of the car. Purpose? When a 2CV is ''loaded up'' the headlights would point at the sky. But by turning a knob under the ''dashboard'' [on the right-hand side next to the driver's door] you can raise or lower them. Clever eh? All done mechanically: so nothing to go wrong. Another quirk. When the front doors are locked, they just turn round and round, LOL. I love the folding roof. I had always wanted a convertible they were all beyond the means of a bank clerk. So I bought a 2CV , what my Grandma called a ''sensible car''. Technically, the 2CV is not a convertible but a ''fixed-frame'' convertible. I had it opened most of the time, yup, even in the depth of winter all the way from London to Shropshire on B Roads. What's the point of having a convertible if you don't open the roof? The folding canvas roof had nothing to do with fashion. Steel/metal are heavy and expensive to make and replace. But not canvas. Saving money. Noticed there are only 3 wheel nuts for each wheel? Save money on 4 wheel-nuts. LOL The 2CV, minimalist motoring at its best. Happy, fun days, long ago.

Head and shoulders above most vids on RU-vid and about a car that's head and shoulders above most cars,

When I was a child our family holidays were motoring through the France and 2CVs were everywhere, it seemed that every other car was a 2CV. I particularly remember travelling back to the ferry port at the end of one holiday (in our Phase 2 Standard Vanguard) and my brother and I made a game of counting the 2CVs as they streamed in the other direction taking French families back home after a day at the seaside. After we got to over 200 in a half-hour or so we got bored with the game. I've always had a soft spot for the 2CV, quirky and so French. A documentary about the 2CV broadcast on Channel 4 in the 1990s started with Edith Piaf playing over shots of rural France, sums up the 2CV to a T.

The great thing is that 4 tall people can easily fit in because it's so tall. Your legs in back just fold 90 degrees down, and everybody can sit in comfort. Also the roof... who needs AC, just roll it back and enjoy. Marvellous little car.

I owned and tinkered with loads of 2CVs when I was about your age. Really wish I hadn't sold them. Especially my mint condition red 2CV van. Ah, fond memories :)

As an American, its always a treat to see these on the roads over here. I'd love to own one or a Renault 4 one day as french cars just arent seen that often over here!

You make fantastic videos. Turns out both my partner and I learned to drive on our mum’s Dyanes, at the same time, just 500 miles apart and unknown to each other at that time.

Had one of these (a red 'special' (like the Dolly but without the two-tone paintwork) in the 1990s. I would absolutely love another. Not as a daily driver as it would be at least 30 years old and probably not reliable enough. Just to drive for fun and to appreciate the cult following this car still has. When talking about the heater he didn't mention the second control. A plunger which when pulled out directed the warm air up to the windscreen and when pushed in downwards into the cabin.

Love the 2CV video.....not many in Oz, but truly great little vehicles. Another quality video....keep up the good work!

The 2CV is so up my street- I love them!

I always look forward to your new videos, and you never disappoint. All your videos are excellent, but this one is genuinely one of the best. Thank you.

Garlic flavoured toothpaste? Yeah, that could work! Citroën were so great. Who else could possibly make the 2CV and the SM, at the same time! Crazy French gačons. It was a real shame they "sold out" in the eighties. Oh well. . . You really are quite unusual, I don't know anyone else in your age group who would even look at one of these. Sorry, that sounded way less patronising in my head! It really isn't meant to be. It's great to see a younger guy so passionate about the older cars you love. Always look forward forward to your vids. Thanks so much.

It's moving to see how much you love the 2 CV. I hope that, when the time comes, you get a beautiful one for yourself.

In Denmark, we used to call the 2CV the "Student Jaguar" 😄 and in Germany it's called "Die Ente" (The Duck)

This was my dream car during the 80s. I’ve always wanted one! But my parents said, “NO!” They’ve forced me to buy a Fiesta! Hated the bloody thing. Didn’t even look after it. After about a year, I’ve sold it for scrap because it was rusty as hell. 20 years later, I now drive a 1967 Morris Minor.

I owned a bamboo green 1987 2CV. It was hilarious. I had so much fun in this, at low speeds...😁👍

"As French as garlic-flavoured toothpaste". I love it

I came across your channel via the VW T2 vid and have watched lots more of your content since. You are a future star. I hope you're on 100k subs this time next year. Keep it up!

My parents had a 2cv around 1985. It was blue. Weird deja vu feelings watching this.

Citroen had the right formula with the 2CV. Simple, comfortable, and such quirky styling! Ageless and timeless!

Great video!! This one was so modern compared to a test of an original with its Speedometer driven wipers! At least they wiped faster as you went faster. American cars loved the awful vacuum wipers that did the opposite. Fast at idle and came to a stop going up any hill!

amazing video again, always wondered about these cars inside etc now i know, very clean too like u keep Melvin

Love these little cars.. well done again.. excellent content.

Excellent review. Love 2cv's

I was fortunate to own one for a few months when I visited the UK in the 90s. Absolutely brilliant car. I wish I still had it.

That was my first car ....just awesome

I have the priviledge to own a 1984 2CV6 that I bought second - hand in 1991 in a poor state and fully restored in 2017. Further on I helped 2 friends to restore their own. Man, this car is really a Meccano for adults. A single person can do EVERYTHING alone including separating the body from the frame, removing engine, gear box etc... You need the original Michelin tires to fully enjoy the comfort of the suspension and handling. The gearbox is one of the few weak points. The first gear is practically not synchronized and you have to be kind when switching gears. When it rains the water infiltrates regularly through the ventilation hatch seal, and finds its way in particular via the driver's knees to under the floor mat where it hides and gnaws at the floor plates in silence even when the good weather is back. Rust and engine oil leaks (so it's time to rebuild your air breather) are two plagues that handicap our sweethearts.

Earlier 2CVs had drum front brakes which were an absolute nightmare to work on... You had to unbolt the inner end of the drive shaft to get the drum off...

Your videos are perfect for a petrol head nerd like me. This was a fascinating review. Pete 🇬🇧

an excellent vid in both content and style. always enjoyed anything 2cv and this was a joy to watch.

Being a child of the early 80’s I used to hate this car with a passion. Never knew why people liked them especially when you had the Fiat 126 or Austin Mini. Somehow this video made me go all nostalgic and I find myself wanting one!!! God what is happening to me??? Brilliant video. Not subscribed before but that’s 3 great vids I have watched so far so will definitely hit that subscribe button.

The gentleman has his cardboard tubes slightly muddled. The short stub tubes are not for drawing cool air IN, but are heat dumps for directing hot air OUT via flaps operated by cables when the heater is off. The air has to go somewhere you see... Inside, heat can be directed partially UP to the windscreen, or more DOWN to the feet with a small black knobbed push-pull rod, which is the reason for there being two tubes (upper & lower) into the cabin. This heat exchanger arrangement requires there to be no fewer than five exhaust pipe connections under the bonnet, which have to be periodically remade with exhaust paste, otherwise the occupants will be first made uncomfortable, and then gassed with carbon monoxide. So when you first start to smell exhaust fumes inside the car, act Sooner rather than later... A small electric fan can be bought to mount inside one of the bigger tubes for use as a blower. This maybe worth having, but the motor itself really needs to be more powerful.

Every time I see the Citroen 2CV 6, It puts me into a car chase scene with Jean Paul Belmondo. That auto has been in many 80's car chase scene in French action films during that time period.

I owned a Dyane 6 while at university in the early 1970's. I regularly commuted between university in Manchester to my home in the West Midlands. The car coped well with the M6. It was very easy to work on. I recall changing the piston rings single-handed in the university car park between lectures. My big disappointment occurred with the issuance of petrol ration books during the oil supply crisis in 1973. I expected to be ok because of the low fuel consumption if the Dyane. But the authorities decided to classify it as a motorcycle :-(. I used to run the university badminton club. Often I would take out the back seat so the all six team members and their kit could be fitted in to travel to away matches. I kept the car until I graduated, and it served me well.

I think they are a great car, I own 2 of them and use one of them almost every day as my usual transport. For the enthusiasts, it is a red special. The other one has been converted into a small pick-up truck (due to back end rot) but started life as a red and white Dolly. It only gets outings when the special is off the road or we are doing a rally.

One of my top ten all-time favourite cars.

Another great video. Cheers for uploading. 👍

Beautiful car. I have a 1979 Dyane here in Australia. Love the little beastie. Another great video, thank you.

Another great video Ed. I just love your delivery. 👍

Super! A truly lovely video and car! :-)

Hub Nut would love this.

I drove one back in the '70s when I was over in Europe as a field applications engineer for my company. Really slow going up hills with two gents in the car, sales agent and myself with the boot full of sales literature. I see this one it's the same as how I remember though different colours. Cheers.

Ed, you forgot to mention the 2cv party piece.... You can remove all of the seats in less than a minute, (I’m not joking) so you can use them as deck chairs at the beach, or picnic. When I was 17, I worked at a citroen main dealer in Bristol.... these were still available new then! My first car was a dyane, which I bought for £50.... total rust bucket, but mechanicals were perfect!

Really enjoy your video's mate. Keep them coming. Especially now when we all need something entertaining to watch

There is an episode of "Wheeler Dealers", now on the net, where they restore a mid 1950's 2CV, with some fun facts along the way. Before this weekend, I knew nothing of them, apart from their quirky looks. Now I've seen two interesting videos on them. Thanks.

Ed, you have done justice to this glorious motor. I owned one for nine years & 145K miles. Outrageously good fun on any surface, almost impossible to lift a wheel. The buzz & whine of the engine along with the superb seats and suspension made every mile a joy in this car. Is only failing? A very, very s**te heater. I love 2CVs, they are wonderful motors. Please try Petrolblog.com and read my review(s).

Great little car

I'd love one of these too. Oh nice video, thanks :-D

Great vid! I was considering purchasing a 2CV back in 2014, but I ended up with a Trabant instead as they were a bit cheaper

This is the original concept of Volkswagen by France.

I like this car too. It's not only a retro car, it's retro French design, which makes it even more unique.

Ed’s face when having to slam the window shut 😂😂😂 excellent review as always Ed, keep up the awesome work.

Great video really enjoyed it thank you.

I just LOVE these cars, and have done since I was fifteen.....I seem to remember our Biology teacher had one in pale blue (with a Manchester Registration number, since that was where she came from).....In any event, I was always intrigued by it.

Remember them well from when they were still in production. Wind the flywheel up to speed and bring the clutch in quickly (impossible to stall) and it flew off the line. If I remember correctly 0-20 was quicker than just about anything on the market at the time - including supercars! However, above 20 mph, the speedo was replaced by a calendar!

Ok if you’re chugging across a ploughed field in the middle of rural France in the 1940’s. They were ahead of their time in safety features-the whole car is a crumple zone.... And to think they actually used to race these😳

Simply marvellous review. I once asked a policeman for a credit on the speed limit on the downhills for all the uphills where I could not reach the speed limit without a huge tailwind. Probably the least safe 2CV driving I have seen is older 2CVs slipstreaming lorries to get a free ride on the autoroutes in Europe at 110 kph on half throttle... My 1990 Charleston is absolute luxury in comparison to the Dolly. Big speedo binacle goes up to 80 mph for those down hills with a tail wind. A 'Really Proper' Citroen single spoke steering wheel.. Also on my 1982 Charleston and 1978 Club. The Dolly misses out on the cloth rear parcel self, inside door handle mouldings, and more chrome. I prestiged my Charlestons with German 2CV front and rear headrests, door pockets with speakers. Boot luggage rack. Heated rear window from a Dyane. Polished aluminium spats on front and rear guards. Such decadence in a 2CV!! During 42 years and 3 x 2CV6s from new, I have joyfully cavorted 550,000 kms. Sensational fun. I will never sell my 1990 Charleston and have left it to my younger brother in my will.

I love these cars. When I purchased a modern classic a couple of years ago, it was a toss up between one of these or a Suzuki Cappuccino. Two completely different cars I know. In the end the Suzuki won. Still loving it. Great review as always. You would make a good car presenter on TV.

The window just slams shut under its own weight, but it scares the neighbours Heehee yX-D!!

Epic video.. 👍 My first two cars were deux chevaux's. My best mate had one, so did his mum. We took them to France and Le Mans, though usually I just bombed round the lanes of Croston, Eccleston and Mawdesley. Bit like you do in your mighty Metro!

Excellent video. You should dig into the Panhards, the Dyna Z, the PL17 and the 24. Extremely inventive engineering, also with two-cylinder engines.

I love the "Tin Snail". Lovely little car!

Well done. Excellent insight to the personality and joy of the 2CV. I indulged in my first RHD 2CV6 Club in bright Blue Myosis the year I worked in London in 1978 at age 25. My second 2CV6 was a Paris tourist delivery RHD UK tourist spec Charleston was the best one. Black & Burgundy. Did a 15 month tour of Europe, UK, Ireland, Canada and USA before shipping home to Australia. In Kentucky filling up with fuel the attendant said his boss is a blind car collector and requested permission to feel my car... included swaying on the suspension at a stand still. In the New Orleans French Quarter the police stopped me to take photos. On the freeway out of New Orleans a guy in a Fiat drove past holding up a photo of a Citroen SM. Fiat LHD, 2CV RHD - we were side by side as I drove past. We pulled off at the next layby. A week later I came back from Houston to New Orleans to stay with him and his family for Mardi Gras. He had a Citroen SM, a DS Safari and an Ami 6!!! In Austin Texas the police pulled me up to chatise me for driving with 3 uni student standing through the roof. (I did not get booked) On the freeway coming into San Fransico 2 police officers in a cruiser pulled me over and told me I could not drive on the French tourist plates in California. (they were wrong). A rare passing Citroen DS pulled up and told me to follow him to the garage of two brothers who ran the only garage in California to service 2CVs. The car got a full service and I stayed for 2 weeks with the brothers. My third new 2CV was also RHD Paris delivery UK spec (specially built as they only made Special's in RHD in 1989/1990 - 11 more RHD Charlestons were made after that for Australian Importation. None went to the UK after 1988.) (Portuguese 2CVs 1988-1990 were not as well made as the French ones. Poorer quality steel in the chassis rusted prematurely). Got it home in May 1990 2 months before production ceased for ever in July 1990 after 42 years. I still have this car, a 2018 C4 Cactus 1.2 6 speed auto & a Skoda Yeti TDI DSG 4 x 4. I have enjoyed "More Smiles per Mile" in 2CVs for 4 decades and 550,000 km. The most fun you can have with 4 wheels. Roof rolled back see sawing through corners, accelerating over speed bumps and clipping the seats out for picnics and drive in movies...

2CVs just bring back so many childhood memories for me! I was born in the mid-80s so 2CVs were already a cult car when I was very little. One of my mom's friends drove one and I'm fairly convinced hers was the only one I ever got a ride in. Unfortunately she replaced it with an utterly bland red MK2 Golf in the late 80s. Then there was a Swiss couple that owned a terrific art nouveau villa in beautiful Emmental and ran it as a conference venue. Sounds luxurious, and it was, although a bit derelict in spots, and these two lovely people drove a burgundy and black Charleston. Parked right next to it was their previous car, an orange 2CV, no longer registered and road-legal but they essentially used it as a giant self-propelled wheelie bin and took the garbage down to the village once a week or so! The house has since been converted into luxury apartments but I still sometimes dream of its vast hallways, large rooms and quirky details, including a vintage Wurlitzer. My third 2CV experience was an acquaintance of my parents'. She owned a burgundy and black Charleston and regularly drove it almost 1000 km to Italy several times a year with her little daughter on board, well into the second half of the 1990s! Just around the corner from where I grew up there was a tiny hole-in-the-wall Citroen repair shop that always had some 2CVs out front. Sadly, it closed in the mid-90s. Its location was utterly strange, on the ground floor of an 1880s detached house in a quiet upper-middle class neighbourhood with car parts all over the front garden. Unless my memory's playing tricks on me they even managed to park an entire 2CV parallel to the house, which seems bloody impossible considering the fact that a) there's a wall and fence along the property, b) there's only a very narrow gate and c) the whole garden can't be more than 3 m deep! If it wasn't a dream I almost suspect they disassembled a car and put it back together in there.

Another great review of an iconic car. Your enthusiasm for the 2CV really shone through. They always make you smile when you drive past one. One thing though: what happens in a crash? Driving around in a thin tin shell would scare me! Hope you and your family are keeping safe and well during these uncertain times. A big thanks for continuing to upload content. You're helping to pass the hours with your entertaining and informative reviews. I look forward to the next one.

Really well done review. Keep it up

Do a Dyane - rarer and more user friendly whilst being the same whacky experience - you'll want one.

I never imagined a 2CV with disk brakes! It was widely manufactured in latin America and the model experienced some modifications in these latitudes: Here in Argentina it was renamed 3CV, with an engine (a bit) more powerful and the centrifugal clutch was eliminated. Chileans modified the back hatch, so the rear window became part of it and the canvas roof was shortened. It was a very clever and cost effective modification. That solution was adopted here too. Local branch of Citroën assembled the argentinian model until 1979. During the second half of 1980's an entrepreneur called Eduardo Sal-Lari briefly resumed argentinian production under the brand IES América and Super América. The car was extensively redesigned with a new (and more conventional) suspension, a shortened bonet with a fixed front grill, rectangular headlights embedded on the wings and lots of plastic. Today is almost impossible to see running IES cars, but still there are a few older Citroën in very nice condition here in Buenos Aires, most of them owned by fan club members.

That was nice to see that car.

In Canada I worked for BL as a student in the summers of 1974, 75 and 76...maybe you'll get a 2cv and consider repainting it in British Racing Green with a suitable tan interior...one of my favourite colour combinations.

Had 2 2cvs, one Dyane and one Ami for good luck. Amazing drives. Oh, and a GS Pallas ( 3 speed semi automatic - don’t ask!)

Must have missed this one when it came out ... what a treat! Really enjoy the way you do reviews. I liked how you got the basket of eggs bla bla bla out the way ASAP 😂

Brilliant review! Even here in the US 🇺🇸, these vehicles are becoming pricey. And check out HubNut Citroën GSA, that is quite a vehicle! I also love the quirkiness and design of the CX.

thank you for the video

I had a "D" reg 2CV for ten years, if I didn't need something to pull a caravan I would still be driving it now, the only thing I found everytime I put it in for an MOT the chassis would require welding to be done.......oh, on my 2CV the odometer went round the clock.......

Just bought one this weekend! Your video part of the decision. Thanks! (White - not Dolly or anything fancy!)

I am of an age when the 80's was my peak car consumption. Had a 2cv and Dyane. Preferred the Dyane. Also had basic 205 and an UNO. The UNO was a better car but for driving pleasure excluding reliability the 205 basic aced it. You have to be my age.......

A good tip. Do NOT try to lubricate the gearchange shaft with oil or grease. It slides in a nylon bush and this will make it sticky. Use Halfotds rubber and nylon lubricant aerosol and the gear changes are lightning fast.

Note that he says it does'nt have a distributor. This means that whenever a cilinder requires spark. Both cilinders spark

Good one Ed

English people can say "Michelin" correctly when referring to a Michelin star restaurant, but can't pronounce it when referring to tyres. 🤣. However, great video again. My only time I ever had a journey in a 2cv, was in 1994 , yet I remember it as a very unique experience. 😊

I think it has gone from being something of a joke to becoming a collectors car. Quite an achievement. Great video!

I had a GS back in the 70s and regret the passing of Citroen's quirky engineering after the Peugeot takeover.

The 2cv actually dates back to the 30s. It was held up because France was invaded by Germany. People still find the prototypes hidden everywhere.