Here's a story I wrote when I first picked it up for our local Citroen club (http://www.CitroenSanFrancisco.com - shameless plug!)
I'd seen the little photos on eBay and talked to its
curator extensively on the phone but I hadn't seen it,
in the flesh, in over 25 years -- and then it was
behind ropes with a large sign declaring it to be "The
World's Ugliest Car!"
I had done the unthinkable, bought a car on eBAY, and
not just any car, a Citroen. Cath, my loving wife who
has stayed with me through new homes, new jobs, new
kids... and old Citroens and old Tatras, said, "You
know what you're doing, right?". "Yes, dear", I
replied (hmmmm).
Well, my wife and three little boys -- Devin, Tanner and Adam --
arrived at the National Motor Museum in Reno, Nevada
(previously known as the Harrah's Automobile Museum)
to view and pick up our new 1965 2CV. And I mean 'new'
-- it had only 36 miles on the odometer. Not 360. Not
3,600. Not 36,000. Just 36. As the story goes Mr.
Harrah bought the 2CV brand new from the Citroen Cars
Corporation in Beverly Hills and had it trucked to his
museum (they were told it wouldn't make it up the
steep hills (little did they know!)). And there it has
sat for close to 40 years.
I was hoping the car would still be in its 'resting
place' when I went to rescue it but they'd brought it
to the 'garage' where it sat patiently between an old
30's American roadster and a golden DeLorean on a
lift. It looked perfect: Just as is had come off the delivery truck in
January '65. The tires weren't even cracked. The
seats were the original and beautiful red/orange pattern fabric (it is
the 'high-brow' AZAM model after all: richer interior,
shiny hubcaps, chrome trim down the hood, those cool
bumper 'handles', a fancier steering wheel, a
centrifugal traffic-clutch and, get this, a passenger
side sun visor!)
It was then that I had to sign the paperwork and
receive the 'documents' which included the title,
original bill of sale (the original window sticker is
still on the car), and the 500 mile free check up
voucher (never used of course!).
Now it was time to extract the car from the museum and
get it on the trailer. John Peterson, my 'new best
friend' and Citroen/Panhard fanatic extraordinaire, and his friends helped me get it on their trailer and we left the car at John's for a few days before I could arrange transport to the Bay Area.
I've only driven it a few times; and it has a whole 116 miles on it now!
Here's some more information and photos on the 2CV: http://web.me.com/dschapron67/Citroen2CV1965/Home.html
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