Anyone know of the name of a 2cv Guru or just experienced friendly 2cv type person in or near Departement 41 (Loir et Cher), France?

An old friend of mine wants to get his old 2cv up and running for next years bash in Salbris since I mentioned it to him. Its been in a barn for probably 10 years, but was his daily driver before that. Its a 1962 ish (old doors, new bonnet) model.

Just thought I'd check if anyone on the forum living in France has any contacts around that way who could take a look with him to get a general impression of how big a job it would be to resurrect.

Many Thanks,
Chris

Chris,

There's a 2cv club in deparment 41. I've had a look through the 'site but can't find any specialists, but i'm sure if your friend contacts the club someone would be able to point him in the right direction...

http://www.les2cv-desologne.fr/index.htm

Xmas, any chance of your friend joining up? The tale of the cars ressurection would interest me, and I'm sure a lot of others on here.

Thanks guys, I think he will probably be in touch with the 41 2cv club as well. I've asked him to get some photos taken so I can have a look for him and if I get them I'll post them up here, and see about getting Stephane to join up here too.
I drove the car briefly in Vendome in 1996 ish, very nice and original it was then, although with ugly modern light blocks screwed onto the sloping back panel!
I'll keep the forum posted!

Well had a nice time with my friend in France last week, lots of whiskeys, visting old haunts, and of course a pilgrammage to an old barn near his dad's place:





But of course we didn't just go there for me to take pictures for Mr Old-Nail's artistic inspiration

It was to visit the aforementioned hibernating 2cv of my friend



Looking pretty good eh? you can't buy patina like that Surprisingly in pretty good, or at least unholed condition on the body.

Unfortunately the previous owner had tried to make it look all modern and mode with later lights which just look all wrong to me , but that's easily remedied.

So, a few more pictures:





No holes under the rust protecting layer of ?sand they didn't make'em like that later



Engine is 2cv4 (435cc?) and at least is not siezed, 124,000 Km and was working when put away.



Think its a 1964 AZA (not AZAM paperclips)?





Floors above and below, no holes but it had been repaired at some point





Chassis not showing outward signs of severe distress - like folding. But again to really know you'd have to delve a bit deeper...



Oooh modern indicators at the front too.



Picture of the headlight telltales in original condition



Any ideas why that wing in particular hasn't rusted ?



... Ceci un art qui dor



So original is great isn't it?





Thats yer lot. Suffice to say he's incredibly exited and can't wait to start work, after about half an hour on the internet he's found a 2cv specialist nearby - I said he would, it is France after all!

He may even pop along to the forum and say hi, and let us know his plans ...

nice project! quick question, i noticed on the bottom right of the last pic (speedo) what does that sliding switch do? ive got 2 screw holes and a mark were one should be on my azu, but i have no idea what it did?!

IIRC, that "slidey" thing is the heater direction control. Unfortunately, it's something that I think got lost at some point during the "resurrection" of your van Chris.

Actually, I seem to recall (having thought about it for a few seconds) that I didn't refit it as it couldn't be used with the later heater ducting I welded in. Sorry mate.

18bhp 425.

435s look like "normal" 602s. 12bhp 425s have only three studs for both inlet and exhaust ports.

And, yes, it's bloody _gorgeous_.

Hi everyone,

I'm Steph, the happy owner of the above engine. Thanks Chris for introducing me. Well, I'm just at the beginning of the "resto", as we say in French. Nothing to do with restaurant, mind you, but rather with "restauration". We can't help linking anything with food though...
So the car is still 70 kms from home but will be here soon. Then, my only knowledge in 2cv is... near to zero. But I'm eager to learn and full of enthousiasm.
Just an anecdote about that switch : in winter time you have the choice between getting your feet warm, or at least not too cold, or seeing something through the windscreen. Both these results taking about 15 kms before happening. I remember one day when I tried to get both by maintaining the switch in the middle position. (clever, hey?) You have to leave your hand on it since there is a spring at the back which forces it into one position. After a few kms, my feet were blue, I was still looking at the road by the open side-window, so my face was blue too, I couldn't feel my right hand any more because it had stayed too long in the same uncomfortable position.
That's what happens when you want to go beyond the technical abilities of your car...

For those of you who speak French (this is not meant as an insult), you may have a look there : http://forum2pattes.forumactif.com/vos- ... t56869.htm

I will mainly upload on the French site, but will give you some news from time to time.

Steph

new tyres
change the oils
check the bulbs
new battery

and good to go!

It would be a sin to loose that patina > Envy<
i would maybee, and only if i really had to, clean the windows
Sean