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Mr_Bo11ox

By Mr_Bo11ox
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RedSparrow Rank: Renault 16

RedSparrow

Posted
Posted

How the frig are 2CVs so expensive all of a sudden?

They're not exactly 'scene'. Or are they?!!

Louise2cv Rank: Renault 16

Louise2cv

Posted
Posted

Yep. 2cvs have a massive following and as a result attract a lot of "restoration" individuals/companies out to make a profit.

 

They seem to tap into a nostalgic feeling held by people now in or approaching middle age who have a bit of spare cash and no interest/inclination to find out what the car is actually worth, what standards restoration companies aim for, what areas of 2cvs are prone to problems etc.

 

Plenty of people will remember the 2cv as their first car, their mom's car, their teacher's car etc or want to have something for the french holiday home, and the longevity of the 2cv's production means there are still plenty knocking about and tonnes of spares available. It is very much in the realm of "popular classic" nowadays.

 

That coupled with a blind "it's on ebay therefore it must be a bargain!" notion that has also pushed the price of private sales up. Even service parts like points and condenser that you can order for less that a tenner have been subject to mind boggling bidding wars that seee the price double!

 

I got my first 10years ago taxed and MOTed already on a replacement chassis for £200. I sold it 8 years later knowing I'd never be able to afford one again.

 

I was too stupid to ask the sort of money others with any kind of business sense would either so within a month or two I think it was sold for much more than I sold it. Kicked my self a bit, but it was my own fault!

Rocket88 Rank: Lancia Gamma

Rocket88

Posted
Posted

I never "got" the 2CV thing [as I didn't get the Beetle thing] . I admired their original design concept, but having been involved in an accident between one and a Range Rover [i was the passenger in the Rangey] and the resultant carnage inflicted on the 2CV, I suddenly realised what a badly built death trap they were. They can also be [in true Citroen tradition, a right sod to work on,] and have a charming habit of catching fire when the cardboard heater tubes disintegrated, and fell on the exhaust manifold.

willswitchengage Rank: Talbot Matra Rancho

willswitchengage

Posted
Posted

Well I guess safety has only really been at the forefront of car design since the late 80s/90s, when the 2CV died, so I don't think that was such an issue for them. Engineering-wise, it's a masterpiece with the unique all swing arm suspension and ruthlessly simple bolt-on body. I suppose most people buy them these days on the whole chic thing though... :|

Louise2cv Rank: Renault 16

Louise2cv

Posted
Posted
They can also be in true Citroen tradition, a right sod to work on,

 

Really though?

 

Please elaborate. :wink:

 

I think people are frightened of them because they aren't "standard" designs eg. the suspension (not complicated but different), the in-board brakes (not complicated but different).

 

and have a charming habit of catching fire when the cardboard heater tubes disintegrated, and fell on the exhaust manifold.

 

I haven't heard of one of those in (recent) real life and I know a fair few 2cvers. The cardboard tubes are actually quite sturdy and shouldn't be prone to falling off if in good condition and of the correct length, plus with the knowledge of the fire risk most are tied on rather than just pushed on. The danger is people not checking them which can cause probs with a lot of parts on a lot of cars. Somebody with more knowledge than me can correct me but I was told quite a few fires were actually due to a badly designed clip that held the loom up in the engine bay, it is bare metal and rubbed through the insulation. at least I was warned about this by a few people when I joined 2cvgb :?:

 

As for safety in a collision, I guess most old cars are pretty pap.

 

I'll end my 2cv defence crusade here though, because I totally get your point, there are a few sought after cars I never "got" either, it wouldn't pay for us all to like the same thing!

Cavcraft Rank: Matra Rancho towing a Tagora

Cavcraft

Posted
Posted

Sadly in the case of 2CVs it means every twerp who has one rotting away in their garden now is going to want stupid money for it because 'that's how much they can make on eBay'.

We know this is nonsense of course, just because a handful are advertised at a grossly exaggerated prices it doesn't mean they will sell. I actually think this sort of moronity is probably partly to blame for the price of Mk2 Escorts and VW Camper vans. Eventually people believe the hype and they get priced away from the hands of the ordinary Joe like us.

Rocket88 Rank: Lancia Gamma

Rocket88

Posted
Posted

).

 

and have a charming habit of catching fire when the cardboard heater tubes disintegrated, and fell on the exhaust manifold.

 

 

Louise; Google 2cv heater tubes cause fire.................

idiotboy Rank: Austin Maxi

idiotboy

Posted
Posted

Joining the debate, I've owned and run 2CV's and other Citroen A series since 1994, never once has my car caught fire due to a heater tube, I don't actually know anyones car catching fire due to a heater tube failure either. So I suspect this is an old wives tale, something along the line of all cars built by BL are total shite and that Top gear is a serious car show etc.

 

2CV values are on the up, driven by demand outstripping supply and this is being caused by the French mainly. Back in the 1990's they had a scrappage scheme where you could trade your old car in and get about 10,000 F (or about a grand uk money) off a new car if you weighed in your old one. Thousands of old tin vanished more or less overnight, with the back yards of dealerships being full of old perfectly good 2CV's etc being crushed for scrap. I know this because I was there, pleading with a Citroen dealer to sell me a mint 1964 AZL that he had in his yard. "non!" I was told even for not kidding about look at this wad of FF in my hand mate amounts of cash.

 

As a result the French have finally cottoned on that the 2CV was more than a car but their cultural Icon, (like the mini is for us Brits) and as a result they are now asking serious wedge. Knackered heaps that once you could have picked up for a bag of frites are now €2000 minium. Frenchies are even buying cars here in the UK and shipping them back as they are cheaper to buy here in the UK.

 

The net result is rather strange. 2CV's are regarded as investments, serious classics and as a result the "interesting" types who used to run them and make the various 2CV clubs fresh and different from other classic car clubs are being priced out of the market. Its a bit sad really.

 

However there is a minor blessing, in that more cars are being saved and deemed economic to restore as values soar, so less cars are being binned, so I suppose every cloud has a silver lining....

Louise2cv Rank: Renault 16

Louise2cv

Posted
Posted

There are lots of things on google, just skimmed over some reviews where people make all sorts of wild claims about 2cvs.

 

I still think heater tube fires are rare.

Rocket88 Rank: Lancia Gamma

Rocket88

Posted
Posted

I'm sorry if I seem to have upset the 2CVists, but I hate the bloody things, along with Beetles, Minis, Morris 1000s, and anything else that is perceived to be worthy of admiration because it's "cute". Just as I despise modern Minis, Fiat 500s, and the new Beetle for the same reasons, and they're worse, because they are all pretty cynical marketing ploys. Making re-hashes of your past glories is just sheer bloody laziness .

Louise2cv Rank: Renault 16

Louise2cv

Posted
Posted

Not upset, it's just of it's many faults I honestly don't think the heater tube thing is a commonly seen one.

 

We can agree on the "new" versions thing though. I think/hope Citroen have the sense to see that doing a modern "tribute" to the 2cv would be impossible.

DSdriver Rank: Lancia Gamma

DSdriver

Posted
Posted
I think/hope Citroen have the sense to see that doing a modern "tribute" to the 2cv would be impossible.

I expect they'll get around to it when they have finished abusing the name of the DS. :(

Mr_Bo11ox Rank: Matra Rancho towing a Tagora

Mr_Bo11ox

Posted
  • Author
Posted

$(KGrHqFHJFYE+ZrehnWIBP6IFTMp!Q~~60_12.JPG

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180920433294

 

2-dr cortina, looks pretty nice to be fair, no tax or MOT though, and:

 

NEEDS A SMALL AMOUNT OF WELDING ON PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT CHASSIS AND A NEW SCREEN (I BROKE IT PUTTING IT BACK IN) FOR THE MOT..

 

Just £3495 :roll:

dollywobbler Rank: Matra Rancho towing a Tagora

dollywobbler

Posted
Posted

Blimey Colc. I'm a bit late to the show but you've spouted some interesting 'facts' there that can be compared with the 'bargains' in this very thread!

 

I'm not going to deny that 2CVs fold up readily in a crash. The metal is paper thin. However, 2CVs are a doddle to work on - just nothing like anything else. When I owned my first 2CV I remember being told by my local garage that 'sorry, we don't work on them!' All I wanted them to do was check the front pads. Having owned them for a fair few years now, I know that checking the front pads involves lifting the bonnet. Not exactly rocket science is it?

 

As discussed elsewhere, they're not fires waiting to happen either. I'm not going to pretend that the 2CV is the best car in the world but I bloody love them. I didn't buy mine for its cutesy looks. I bought it because it was cheap and huge fun to drive, in exactly the way a Fiat 500 isn't. (I agree with you entirely on that 'overvalued for cute looks' point!)

Rocket88 Rank: Lancia Gamma

Rocket88

Posted
Posted

Ian; I'm not having a go at the 2CV per se, but I do fear that we're going to see an increasing number of bodged up examples appearing at silly money, trading on "cute appeal", and the one thing that even sound 2CVs had was an almost complete lack of structual integrity, so Christ knows how dangerous one with a stryrofoam chassis is going to be!

I also have a horrible feeling, given the success that Citroen have had with the current "DS" marketing ploy, that we could see a "retro" 2CV . It will be shite, and not in a good way.............

idiotboy Rank: Austin Maxi

idiotboy

Posted
Posted

Having "allegedly" repeatedly reversed my 2CV into another 2CV at the weekend during a technical demonstration of "Paris Parking" I can vouchafe that they are quite resilient, although the cover on my tow ball did sustain some damage.

dollywobbler Rank: Matra Rancho towing a Tagora

dollywobbler

Posted
Posted
Ian; I'm not having a go at the 2CV per se, but I do fear that we're going to see an increasing number of bodged up examples appearing at silly money, trading on "cute appeal", and the one thing that even sound 2CVs had was an almost complete lack of structual integrity, so Christ knows how dangerous one with a stryrofoam chassis is going to be!

I also have a horrible feeling, given the success that Citroen have had with the current "DS" marketing ploy, that we could see a "retro" 2CV . It will be shite, and not in a good way.............

 

Yeah, ok. That's very fair comment! Some 'specialists' do seem to have already found financial success in a 'blow over' restoration and big-money price tag.

 

The C3 Pluresy was banded about as a modern 2CV. It was almost entirely shit though, so no-one was convinced for a moment. Even when they released a Charleston version.

jonny69 Rank: Renault 16

jonny69

Posted
Posted

Well the Anglia would certainly cost you that to build it these days. What with a Lotus twincam that seem to command mega money, a clean shell and all the Milton gear would probably quickly add up to that. If it's had restoration money spent on it, then it would definitely cost that to build. Whether a non-racecar is actually worth that much is debatable though.

outlaw118 Rank: Lancia Gamma

outlaw118

Posted
Posted

Moar 2cv "bargainess"

$(KGrHqZ,!ngE-5UJRT-wBP26r9Oqiw~~60_12.JPG

Wheel brace and jack also included.
Don't do me any fucking favours love....
extensive restoration by 2cv city in 2010.
Were'nt these the chappies mentioned earlier?

Price: £5850 ono - if I could be arsed, I'd look up how much this was new, probably about half that....wish i was Dr Who....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-CITROEN- ... 3f1907c403

Rocket88 Rank: Lancia Gamma

Rocket88

Posted
Posted
Moar 2cv "bargainess"

$(KGrHqZ,!ngE-5UJRT-wBP26r9Oqiw~~60_12.JPG

Wheel brace and jack also included.
Don't do me any fucking favours love....
extensive restoration by 2cv city in 2010.
Were'nt these the chappies mentioned earlier?

Price: £5850 ono - if I could be arsed, I'd look up how much this was new, probably about half that....wish i was Dr Who....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-CITROEN- ... 3f1907c403

 

 

And apparently "the bonnet hinge has been replaced".............well that's alright then........

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