‘I Use Mine Every Day…’
Pierre is an integral part of Sue Dilly’s family. Pierre is a Citroën 2CV…
Could a humble Citroën 2CV be the perfect daily classic?
Pierre isn’t just fun to drive and use every day, he’s one of the family. He entered our lives in May 1983 after our 1975 2CV Club’s bottom rotted away having spent a salty life on Jersey. I was working in Brighton at the time and needed transport, so I went for a test drive in Pierre and fell in love straight away. I think we paid around £2500 for him, brand new.
Although he doesn’t do many miles each day, he makes up for it on 2CVGB Club activities. He soon got his taste for overseas travel with a long trip around the south of France, visiting Monte Carlo, Cannes and Nice in summer 1984, passing very close to his birthplace. He’s been to every world meeting since 1995.
By the time Pierre was 28 years-old, he required some bodywork repairs. For some years he was pampered by being kept in our garage, but in his twenties he had to give that up for the outdoor life, which has meant that another six years on, even more drastic renovation work has been required; the elements had really started to take their toll. A lot of major surgery has been carried out and he’s since done some more globe-trotting. As a result, his engine has now clocked almost 191,000 miles so he’s heading for his double century. Pierre really is an integral part of the family and we have a great time with him, making many friends through 2CVGB Club meets. Prior to meeting my husband, Maurice, who’s a dedicated 2CV fan, I knew nothing of the 2CV scene, so he’s the one who’s responsible for my introduction to life with a Deux Chevaux.
I’d definitely recommend a 2CV as a daily driver; Pierre doesn’t use much fuel, he’s practical, and the yearly insurance premium is just a few hundred pounds, too. And when we’re just driving around, people smile when they see him coming.