brownnova Posted June 1, 2020 Author Share Posted June 1, 2020 The full tale goes thusly... One evening on the 2CV Facebook group someone advertised a 2CV for sale “in need of full restoration.” Mrs B said oooh that looks nice and started making jokes about it being a pre-baby present... now I thought she was joking, it turned out she was not! I phoned the chap up and he said that it needed a full restoration. He said that the body was rusty and the gearbox was whining... but he was still using it daily. The other thing he said was that it had had a galvanised chassis, new floors and sills. My ears perked up. Upon a quick search I discovered a Boris MoT with an advisory for corrosion last year around the rear seatbelt mounts and boot floor (TADTS). The pictures did indeed show tatty bodywork. I contacted a local 2CV friend to see if he knew the car and he put me in touch with the man who had serviced it for the past 20 years... he gave me the lowdown. Very solid but getting tatty. I can work with that. We had first refusal, and opted to take a gamble. @worldofceri was available for delivery and so I was most excited to receive this picture... Ahead of his estimated time he arrived with our new pride and joy We got it down off the trailer and started it up... it purred beautifully.... So what do we have a 1988 2CV Dolly. Looks nice from a distance, but one or two signs that there is work ahead. Underneath the car is in excellent order. It’s been under sealed and this has protected the replacement sills, floors and chassis. That was a lot of work. There are copious receipts in the box including a new hood only a few years ago. That said... yes, there are a few rust issues in places... Pah seen worse... Bolt on bolt off... Likewise... The patina of the Dolly badge is excellent! Like the underside the inside is in really good condition! Overall we’re delighted that this worked out well, it was a risk but it is better than we thought it might be. Getting the welding done will be a priority, we already have a source of panels through the club... all in all... we’re really happy. We can now do his and hers 2CVing! scdan4, Skizzer, TheIsleofShite and 22 others 25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meshking Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Excellent purchase! I probably have a few repair panels kicking about here for the seat box / seat belt mounts if it's any use? Take stock and let me know what you need. LightBulbFun and brownnova 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuboy Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 push presents.....blimey were that rubbish come from.. brownnova 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted June 1, 2020 Author Share Posted June 1, 2020 5 minutes ago, meshking said: Excellent purchase! I probably have a few repair panels kicking about here for the seat box / seat belt mounts if it's any use? Take stock and let me know what you need. Seatbelt mounts definitely, they’re a gonner. I need to take the seat out to properly assess the box, but I think that looks ok. I’ll PM you when I have done some more investigation. LightBulbFun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted June 1, 2020 Author Share Posted June 1, 2020 1 minute ago, stuboy said: push presents.....blimey were that rubbish come from.. We’d have bought it baby or not... we just like the fact that posh mums get jewelleries or fancy things... mine gets a tatty Citroen! So we refer to it as a push... Ive told her she’s not getting a new 2CV for each baby we have! eddyramrod and Shite Ron 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Lovely. It has a highly original look - very hard to replicate. Should go nicely with your obviously-not-stock yellow and white one! brownnova 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eifion Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Congratulations. I look forward to seeing it in the metal. brownnova 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardmorris Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Great. Nothing too difficult if the chassis and floors are new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quicksilver Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 2x2CVs for 2x the fun. That looks a good honest car that hasn't been messed with. Swap some panels with the other one and make a tricolour white, yellow and green 2CV? I wonder what that would look like. brownnova and LightBulbFun 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardmorris Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Bonnet hinge looks a bit rusty though, and rear sweeps / rear panel are quite expensive. Can you weld? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheIsleofShite Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 That is a lovely thing. My desire to own a 2cv gets stronger and stronger. Sadly I fear I may have missed the boat, prices are getting out of my league. LightBulbFun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardmorris Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 2 minutes ago, quicksilver said: 2x2CVs for 2x the fun. That looks a good honest car that hasn't been messed with. Swap some panels with the other one and make a tricolour white, yellow and green 2CV? I wonder what that would look like. Horrible., meshking, Shite Ron and barefoot 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardmorris Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 18 minutes ago, stuboy said: push presents.....blimey were that rubbish come from.. I’d just suggest a trampoline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chodweaver Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 You are both obvs as daft as brushes. I like your style!Sent from my BV6000 using Tapatalk brownnova, BorniteIdentity and richardmorris 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Jetter Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Many congrats on the arrival of 2 more horses in your household (garagehold?). Hope all goes as smoothly with the impending little one. (That's baby, not horse!) brownnova 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loserone Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Brilliant brownnova 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted June 1, 2020 Author Share Posted June 1, 2020 45 minutes ago, eifion said: Congratulations. I look forward to seeing it in the metal. As I do yours now it’s back on the road! 37 minutes ago, richardmorris said: Bonnet hinge looks a bit rusty though, and rear sweeps / rear panel are quite expensive. Can you weld? Bonnet hinge isn’t too bad actually. It’s not brilliant by any stretch... but it’ll do. The price was right so we know even if a couple of panels are a little pricey it’ll still represent good value. Quick google hasn’t grown up anything horribly expensive. I can’t weld, but I know a few welders (One of whom offered to teach me) and I’m keen to learn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardmorris Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Just now, brownnova said: As I do yours now it’s back on the road! Bonnet hinge isn’t too bad actually. It’s not brilliant by any stretch... but it’ll do. The price was right so we know even if a couple of panels are a little pricey it’ll still represent good value. Quick google hasn’t grown up anything horribly expensive. I can’t weld, but I know a few welders (One of whom offered to teach me) and I’m keen to learn! Great, you’ve two weeks parental leave coming up. That Should do it. brownnova 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted June 1, 2020 Author Share Posted June 1, 2020 4 minutes ago, richardmorris said: Great, you’ve two weeks parental leave coming up. That Should do it. Might just take a little longer than that ? no rush... deadline is the Switzerland 2021 world meeting (although hopefully well before that) ... but even if we miss that deadline we’ve got the other one to go in. RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardmorris Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 3 minutes ago, richardmorris said: Great, you’ve two weeks parental leave coming up. That Should do it. Also being in wales you can’t go anywhere yet. An ideal opportunity to restore a dolly. brownnova 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardmorris Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 3 minutes ago, brownnova said: Might just take a little longer than that ? no rush... deadline is the Switzerland 2021 world meeting (although hopefully well before that) ... but even if we miss that deadline we’ve got the other one to go in. There’s a great French meeting planned in Brittany next year- our Thames tortoises are hoping to stay over at a member’s gite in Normandy en route, brownnova 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted June 1, 2020 Author Share Posted June 1, 2020 Looks like fun! Can’t wait to get back to car events... especially AS and 2CV ones. LightBulbFun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddyramrod Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 3 hours ago, brownnova said: Ive told her she’s not getting a new 2CV for each baby we have! Yeah, let's see how long that lasts! brownnova 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meter rat Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 Dyane for baby number two, Ami for baby number three, Van for baby number four, Mehari for number five. HY van mini bus. Sorted. Mrsbrownnova and brownnova 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beko1987 Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 Which one is faster though? You done a drag race yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted June 2, 2020 Author Share Posted June 2, 2020 24 minutes ago, beko1987 said: Which one is faster though? You done a drag race yet? Not yet... but I think we will. My money would be on the yellow and white one... although all the holes in the green one might make it lighter ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted June 2, 2020 Author Share Posted June 2, 2020 4 cylinders between them... paulplom, eddyramrod, Tickman and 14 others 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted June 2, 2020 Author Share Posted June 2, 2020 First real test drive complete! Time ran away with us yesterday, so we got the Dolly out for a brief 5 mile (therefore within Welsh Government guidelines) test run. It drives really well, smooth engine (slight blow on the exhaust) and a tighter gearbox than our other one! There is a slight whir in neutral which goes as soon as you depress the clutch, but apparently it’s not a release bearing (According to a 2CV specialist the PO took it to) as the clutch is only a couple of years old. Anyway the noise isn’t intrusive in any way, in fact it’s barely noticeable. Gearbox refurb is budgeted for. Suspension is excellent, it feels better than the other one actually. Steering is good too. Brakes aren’t brilliant, but not terrible either. All in all it actually drives really really well! I think mechanically it’s been well looked after. We’re pleased so far! The plan? Use it for a few weeks to iron out the faults, and really get to know it. Repair the seatbelt mounts Source replacement wings and fit them. Attempt new MoT. Then complete a rolling recommission over time. It’ll never be perfect, but something tidy and useable is the aim here. Anyway I’m glad I made that extra parking.... LightBulbFun, anonymous user, Skizzer and 10 others 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairnet Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 for @chaseracer nice one brown brownnova 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheIsleofShite Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 So I posted earlier saying I think 2cv ownership has sailed past me. This has just come up for sale locally to me, it needs to be seen in person but how much of a money pit do you 2cv connoisseurs think this could be? I do love a bamboo! https://www.wightbay.com/yarmouth/cars/citroen-2-cv-1987-5840370/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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