I have the old boot box from that car It's pleasing to think that at least my car's arse has won a reg day category

Sorry to drag this back up again...

425's - they seemed to be everywhere at last weeks French National - obviously that's because it's the motherland, but they many were wearing 'plates of departments right down south. Now i know that a few were probably trailered, but i very much doubt if all were.

Earlier last year i got talking to a chap called Jon Powell - one of 2CVGB's founders & he and a bunch of others drove to Yugoslavia from the UK in 1983 - he was in his 425 AZAM! What a mission! That was nearly 30 years ago & i'm guessing spares were more readily available back then?

Is it too much to in this day & age to expect a 425 to cover long distances flat out, being as the newest engine is now getting on for 50 years old? Are the parts available to rebuild? Can you upgrade them to 12v electrics easily? Would you be asking for trouble using a motorway such as the M25?

It would be nice to borrow one for a week or two before committing... I wonder if Lovekyn still hire them out?!

well after following a Bijou with a 425 engine up hills in France i got fed up having to go slow all the time

Bijoux/Bijous? are a lot heavier than a 2cv, they are made from glassfibre. A 2cv should be a little quicker.

Well..a fellow i used to hang about with used to use a bmw isetta regularly, 300cc 50mph tops ,on the A1M, M1 (and M25 but only when he was heading for the ports taking it abroad ) ,ok he was a bit mad but at the end of the day the motorway speed minimum is i think 45 mph before youre going to get a tug . Another fella got a tug in a 1960's piaggio ape (vespa powered 3 wheel truck/rickshaw usually 150cc or thereabouts but they do a 50 and a 200..) on the motorway in Holland on the way to a scooter rally ,they are a bit stricter with going slow on the motorway in most of europe i think. If it were me with one of those or a 425 i think i'd be using less fast and frantic roads and just keeping my wits about me ,but why not..

As a kid my mum used to drive her 2CV4 happily from the UK to Holland with my sister and I in the back. You do need to keep them singing though.

A 2cv4 is a slightly different kettle of fish though, isn't it?

We met a chap we've got to know from other 2cv camps in Giel last week, he'd done a 700km drive in one go in his 425cc. He said it was fine. In my mind it's a sodding nightmare, but like Neil, I really fancy living the dream in a 60's shed.

True, it also depends on which 425 you have, I think they ranged between 12 and 18 hp for a 2CV, it was 21 hp in a Dyane, the 435 in the 2CV4 was 24 hp

I guess I'll find out if my AZU decides to speak to me......

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