Citroen 2CV: History, walkaround, road test. My own car! 

Your passion for the 2CV shines through and I think it’s simplicity is it’s genius. Engineering at its very best.

Excluding those who laugh at it still, it's a car you just can't resist and have to love, it outlasted its' "replacements", it got people moving, it made and delivered families too, it just makes people happy... :)

I've been driving around in a 2cv this year, and it's just such a fantastic thing for the modern world there should be far more of them again

The competition is tough Ian because you release so much great content but I think thats one of your best videos. Its plain to see the love you have for that little car and you have such a easy going way of explaining things it makes for a really enjoyable experience.

I've said it before, you are the only person who has ever managed to swing my pendulum of opinion on the 2CV from totally laughing at them to wishing I had £8k or so to get a good one and a garage to store it in because they look an absolute blast to own and drive.

Fascinating stuff. I can remember them being a bit of a joke back in the 80s when I was young. Always seemed to be a popular car for a teacher, green peace activist, hippy or the like! Pretty sure the only time I've ever been in one was getting a lift from a teacher back in the 80s. Would love to have a go in one now though. They really do seem fantastic, maybe even more character than the other war time classic - the Beatle!

I think I'll never get tired of hearing more about this car. what a friend you have

Hello Ian, my first car was a 2CV, some 50 years ago, I found your trip to Croatia a few years ago. This made me sell my old Morgan, which I had for 21years. Now 67 years old I again enjoy my own 2CV. Thanks for reminding me of these amazing cars. I really enjoyed this video. All the best from🇳🇴

You passion for Elly really shines through in this video. Your Croatia trip led me to buying a Dyane and I now have a rhubarb and custard Dolly. Like you say, such fun cars and I love that they brighten up peoples day.

I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT LAMBRETTAS HAD UM SINCE I WAS 14 IM 57 NOW COULDN'T BE WITHOUT ONE GREAT VID MATE

My favourite car of your fleet. Loved the 2cv to Croatia 🇭🇷 road trip. Only when I started watching you channel and realised how tough and simple to work on the 2cv is. Would love to have one myself one day 😎

Years ago when I lived in London but did not have a car, I would hire a 2cv from a company called Two Horse Hire in Kingston on Thames to visit my family in Wales. It was perfectly adequate on the M4 and enormously fun in the South Welsh lanes. Infinitely more capable than my friend's Beetle.

The one that we've been waiting for and it didn't disappoint. Lovely review and super archive photos at the end. Long live Elly!

Hello from 🇫🇷 Ian. I'm more a 4L person (dad's fault) but I enjoyed a lot of trips in 2CVs, ami6 and work in LNAs... I'm proud of "french technological prouesses" (😅), this car is our baguette on wheels. It's pure joy.

One of the best videos you've done Ian. Love the 2CV

Utterly superb. This is going to be a widely watched video, as it should. You do Elly justice!

Brilliant review Ian, really enjoyable. When you explained how to select the gears, it took me back to when I had an extra part time driving job at the local car auctions & drove a 2CV for the first time...my gear selections were more down to luck than skill!

I always drove these when I was young. From 1983 through 1989 I went through four or five of them. They were the cheapest thing ever. The price I used to pay, corrected for inflation would be about €100,= ! I took long trips in those, it's a bloody miracle I can still hear anything at all. Having a radio or cassette player in one of these was useless, you couldn't hear a thing above the engine noise. All of mine but one rotted away in no time at all, the sheet metal on those is paper thin and there are lots of especially designed rust spots. The one that didn't rust out was the one I crashed in. A head on collision at about 50 mph. Not my fault. Car was split in two, engine had been catapulted out, I was ejected through the driver door. Yes, through the door. Don't remember much, except waking up in hospital. Got out in about a month, went back to my football team. Guy asks me 'what car you driving now'? I said: 'a leopard II, with the gun still on it.' That was okay, he laughed. In reality, it was when I bought my first saab, a nice burgundy 99 that I wish I still had. Haven't driven a 2 CV since. They are great fun, I had indelible moments in those. But they are not cars to crash in.

Great video. It is nearly 50 years since I last drove a 2CV. In the early 1970s a friend had one which had had an engine swap with an Ami 8! The complete engine, gearbox and drive train had been swapped, so it was quick. I once raced a friend who was driving an MGB GT down the A40 from Greenford into White City. At the time the road still had roundabouts at all the junctions. These were later replaced with flyovers. The 2CV more than held it's own because you pretty much didn't need to slow down for the roundabouts. Just lean over and keep going! It was such fun to drive. He blew the engine up eventually and lost interest. It had the little wire things which would hold the window open at a fixed angle. So clever.

Great video Ian! I’ve always been a car enthusiast, but I must say your videos have really convinced and inspired me to buy a Dyane. Such a delight to drive! So thanks for the great content all these years 😊

Just bought another one after my last one 23 years ago, only had it a week and am smiling from ear to ear! Watching your videos helped encourage me to take the plunge again, so happy I did! A few small jobs to do, then tours and days out. Thanks Hub Nut!

It's my honest opinion that pre-PSA Citroen was the most engineeringly innovative mass-production car company. The 2CV being a prime example.

45 years and 550,000 kms of 2CV adventures mostly in Australia, as well as Europe, UK, Ireland, Canada and USA.... Completely Addicted

"Corners of disappointment and triangles of doom"...🤣🤣 they get me every time!!!! Marvelous content as always!!!

Brilliant video Mr HubNut! This has been a long time coming to do justice to Elly and the 2CV in general. But well worth waiting for! Since I bought my own Dolly this year, I can totally agree and laugh along with your comments. Each journey is an adventure and brings joy to those unsuspecting pedestrians and other drivers. My favourite video is still the one where you hoon around the Alps in Elly, and this is now up there at no.2 - will watch again for sure! Keep on spreading the 2CV love!

I can still remember the opening scene, when I just found your RU-vid channel through TWC. The 2CV and related remain fantastic cars.

You’ve got to love this channel every time you watch learn something new👊🏻

My first car was a 2CV, also at 18. How I miss my old one. Keep enjoying yourself!

Just came home some hours ago in my own 2cv and still enjoy your video. There is really an element of addiction in driving that car! Thanks for posting the video.

I loved my Bamboo and it was the most fun i've had in a car, at very low speeds.

Three most resilient cars i’ve had an Ami6 2CV and a ex army 110 defender, all of them equal fun, all pushed to their limits, just loved the simplicity of each of them, i truly feel it would be greener to be running 2CV’s with all the tech that the last ones came with. Great video

Genuinely regret not buying one when they seemed to still be everywhere and dirt cheap, great demo of a very charming and clever little car

Old cars have so much character, from their quirks to the soundtrack of the engine.

Back in the day I had a 1957 2CV Pipette: 425cc, traffi-clutch, and not much else. Clunking drive shafts, few brakes, no handbrake (wheel bricks). Briliant vehicle - from the UK to the South of France on £9 worth of petrol (those were the days). Rear seat came out to sleep on in my tent, rear seat out and it was a van. Scandalously, it cost me £45 to buy, and it lasted three years before most everything fell of it - so I sold it for scrap - for £45. Ah, Happy Days!

I love how your enthusiasm for this car really comes through. My CDT teacher at school was a remarkable man who used to give me lifts sometimes in his Diane 6. It was a kind of dark turquoise colour and very noisy inside. He told me all about how easy it was to change the engine etc. The idea of saving up to rebuild your car every few years rather than replace it seems a very sensible way to look after a favourite car that gets regular use. I'm considering this with my Morris Minor which I bought in the summer looking a little bit tired already. I wonder if I will still have it in 20 years? Cheers Andy

Always wanted one. I remember being little and my Dad took me to a Citroen garage to test drive one. I absolutely loved it and was gutted when he didn't buy it stating "I don't want a car with Dolly written on it" Humph!! ;)

Ian, I hope you take this as a compliment, because much like James May you could do a video about something as mundane as how to butter toast, and it would be completely watchable. But add in an interesting subject (as you do) combined with your deep automotive knowledge and excellent presentation skills and I know I’m going to have a very great video experience.

Wonderful back story on the cars history. And a great demonstration from Ellie, much appreciated.

Simple cars are - usually - so much more fun to own, less to go wrong, and when something does, more often than not it isn't a nightmare to put right. So long as there are parts available. I recently ventured into the world of classic French machines, a 2CV was a possible but in the end I went with a rival. Roll on the better weather! Thanks for posting this vid.

8.20, Ians passion for 2cv,s overwhelms him!

You have a great way of presenting that makes me realise the my car knowledge isn't as good as I thought it was without making me feel inferior. Great video I've loved 2CVs for 35 years, my favourite teacher had one, it's amazing what triggers an affection for a certain car.

Absolutely brilliant video Ian 👍thoroughly enjoyable nice back drop for Ellie there

Thanks for this one Mr HubNut, it cheered me up on this freezing cold day.

This is one of the best of a fine selection of Hubnut videos.

Fantastic video on "Elly" I've always loved 2cv's ,so few around now,I could watch Elly videos all day,the sound .

Like the Beetle before it, the central carb, and very long inlet manifolds meant it was basically impossible to over-rev the engine, which very much contributed to its reliability.

I drove one of mine to Greece and back amongst othe road trips. I've always needed practical and repairable cars and the 2CV is the absolute icon of this. I wish I'd been able to keep one but the first one was written off after being rear ended by a halfwit in a three hour old XR3 cabriolet which was also written off. Case of rich kid showing off what daddy had bought him not looking where he was going. My Charleston was stolen, again, in Stoke on Trent a place I'd happily recommend for carpet bombing. I'll just remember top down, sun shining driving through the former Yugoslavia. Happy days.

What a lovely review of an even more lovely car! I like the way you talk about her. As if she is a living, long time friend. You are proud of her and it shows!

Lovely, cheers Ian. A truly iconic car.

Your love for this car just shines though this video Ian.

Roof down. Foot down. Legend.

I remember climbing steep hills in snow while no other vehicle could. I remember passing 50 crashed cars on a slow but steady drive to work over black ice on the old A55 road. Winter of '72. . .

Great little story, Walkaround and test drive of Elly, you can see the enthusiasm on why you love 2cv's a fun little car and the darling of the fleet.

A classic HubNut video on the fleet icon. Thanks very much Ian!

Full of character, you show the uniqueness of the car and your affection so well, I bet I wasn't alone in searching for 2cv's for sale, many more adventures and miles in Elly to come

It was always fascinated by the 2CV, it's simplicity and ingenuity And you and Ellie made me love them! And of course also like them for their connection to the Greek Motor History, with the NAMCO Pony

Your video made me smile a lot because it takes me back to my 2cv day's (owned 3 examples in total) one of which was a 1990 Belgian import, all 3 were special's (83,89&90) 😊

Very ingenious design & ahead of its time. Thanks Ian

Brilliant video Ian 👍 Your affection for Elly really comes through.

I've only ever driven one 2cv I just remember that it was very willing to drive and that it was so easy to work on I would never have considered owning one till I started getting involved with your channel Brilliant video keep making em like this Thank you

This was fascinating. I've have always admired the simple yet very clever engineering that has gone into the 2CV. Yes modern cars with their stupid computers and touch screens may seem clever but they really aren't. And to think this engineering took place many decades before technology effectively. A prime example of Engineering - Less is More! Brilliant video Ian, thanks for this - I started watching the channel because of Elly many years ago and what adventures have occurred since then! While the other cars are awesome - especially love Betty and Tuc, Elly is HubNut to me. I still have yet to ride in a 2CV - it's at the top of my Bucket List so one lives in hope lol

Fantastic car.. and lovely to see you on that harbour side .. a spot we visited early in the summer

What a brilliant video Ian. Many years ago when I was learning to fly, a pilot friend of mine had an old Jodel taildragger aircraft which we regularly flew mainly around Yorkshire & the North East. Coming in to land one day he asked if I'd like to drive his car which turned out to be a 2CV. I was totally enthralled by it. I don't know what was more fun..........the Jodel or the 2CV which were both quirky, French engineering masterpieces and came in matching colours red/white. Stepping out of the Jodel into the 2CV was surreal.......almost as if we were still in the plane but driving it on the ground. Absolute fun!

Well I never knew the doors done that. Another great informative video cheers Ian.

I like the CND sticker in the rear quarterlight window, an essential 2CV accessory

Vive la 2cv!! No matter how many videos with Elly you do Ian...I still enjoy every one. My 2CV is the one automobile in my fleet that I cannot bear the thought of ever parting with...an absolute joy to drive and the most brilliant design ever!

My first car in 1985 was either a Viva, a 2CV or a Beetle, got the Beetle 1302S. Loved it, pulled the engine every weekend, 30 years in mechanics, it set me on the right path.

602 M28 music - great 2CV overview, well done HubNut 👍😊

Looked like fun, tempted to take Bamboo for day out to Aberaeron and New Quay next summer! Had mine for 7 years in January; its flown by! So much fun to drive and so comfortable! Thanks for a great video.

Great video Ian, well done.

Great review. I can completely understand the passion.

An excellent presentation, I so wish that I had bought a 2CV when I could have afforded it. Thank you Ian.

Great Video Ian, can see why you're attached to Elly by the enthusiasm you show when you talk about and drive her. I'm all for adding the little touches that make her "your car". I know "purists" can be a snobby lot with certain changes, but it's your car not theirs and you use Elly and made her more practical, not just trailer her or only drive her to events.

Well done, that has to be one of the best reviews I've seen on the 2cv. If anyone wants to join the 2cv owners, then this video should convince them. I particularly e njoyed the way you introduced the development history.👍

A very enjoyable video on Elly and nice to learn a bit more about a 2CV.

It's charming to see how much you love your car. As I recall, you are in good company -- In the 70's I started buying CAR magazine off the newsstand, and every so often they would have comparison tests of "the cheapest cars in Britain"; the 2CV was inevitably among them. Their verdict on Elly's siblings? "We love 'em!" (They were crazy about the practicality, the driving dynamics, the economy, and most of all the character.)

Good to see Ellie out again.

Fantastic video Ian. A joy to watch. Thanks for sharing. Beanie ordered lol ;)

Oh what a joyous video!

What a brilliant history lesson on this iconic car.

TOP BANANA!!! The iconic engine note and roll!!!

I like the look of the adventure kit.

So nice to see Elly again!!! 👍🏼

The love of the 2cv is amazing but Elly is a special little wagon as you've been on such a journey and hopefully more to come

I have an identical Dolly here in Tuscany and I agree totally with your positive comments Ian. Fine bit of paired down design......

Beautiful, wonderful, is all Ican say! Not only the car, but the way you put all together, with humour and love! Keep it up like that! The 2Cv and it's (lovely) noises made my smile and laugh like for a month. Partially because I also love small and underpowered cars, too. I have a 1990 2-stroke Trabant, another jewel of a cheap people car. I can't wait to make the MOT and take a ride. Believe it or not, the Trabant engine is simpler than of the 2CV, also rev-happy, but not as reliable.

Is there a car more charming than the 2CV? I'm so glad you're keeping this one going! May you have more happy adventures together.

In the early 90s my friend's mum had a 2cv and we went to the Netherlands for a day trip with lovely wheather. It was so much fun!

Enjoyed this one! I love these little cars! Time to fix my starting problems :))

Hi Ian, That video was absolutely delightful. I don’t post many comments, so I’ll get my moneys worth by wishing you and the HubNut clan a great Christmas and Super 2023.

I've been a subscriber since just before or around about the time you re done Ellie and the date said 2016 that time has gone fast this was a good hub nut old school style episode

another great video has always Ian and miss hubnut and hublets and hubmutts 👍

That was so much fun and really interesting I learned a lot from this.

Lovely to see Aberaeron, very close to where my Mother lives.

Clicked like before starting the video as I know I'll like it!

Isn't she lovely Ian! Citroen knew how to make a great small car all those years ago!

I've owned many Citroens in my life. Two noticeable omissions, the 2CV and Xantia. But all brilliant cars.

The magic of the 2cv is that you really feel like you are operating a machine. Everthing works well but also feels mechanical. It had a design philosophy that was never really copied by other manufacturers, but is self evidently sensible and hugely successful.

Excellent, what a car! 👍👍👍

I love your car. It's like a little red ladybug and what road handling skills!