Citroën 2CX AZAM
ENGINE 424cc/2-cyl/OHV POWER 12bhp@3500rpm TORQUE 17lb ft@1800rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 39mph 0-60MPH N/A FUEL CONSUMPTION 24-28mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, 3-speed man + o/d MoT 12 months from sale ODOMETER 47,288km
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
Firing up straight off the key with a fizzy rasp, this 2CV feels eager from the get-go. The steering is a little heavy, but direct and feelsome despite the dead zone around the straight ahead. The car tracks straight and true, water temperature remains well within limits and there’s no rev searching at idle. The brakes aren’t the sharpest but display no juddering. The gearchange is smooth, clutch operation stress-free and the suspension quiet and compliant.
BODYWORK CHECK
This car’s recent extensive restoration in France – photographic evidence of which comes with the car – managed to blend excellent panels and paint with a nod to the car’s original character. It still looks good with no bubbling, or faded or scratched paintwork and just a few stone chips on the nose, plus no corrosion topside or underneath. The wheels and hub caps are in good condition, though there is some misting and a few marks in the chrome. The driver’s door mirror glass is
EXTERIOR Largely excellent Not over-restored INTERIOR All in good order Needs some floor mats MECHANICALS Starts off the key Good suspension
missing, and the window stay rubber on the driver’s side is also absent, but these will be attended to before sale. The small tear in the offside rear wheel arch looks to have been rust-proofed and painted and the canvas roof is undamaged.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
Basic. But the restoration saw new seats and door trims fitted and they still look superb. There are a few marks in the dashboard and steering wheel, but these are simply light patina. We saw no evidence of damp and what instruments and equipment there is works perfectly, including the lights. The seats adjust well, too, though the cabin would benefit from some floor mats.
UNDER THE BONNET
The engine bay looks very clean, with no signs of rust. The oil is a good brown colour and none of the fluids show any signs of current or historic leaking. We could find no signs of accident damage and no untoward smells. There isn’t much in the way of service history for this car, other than the photo record of the aforementioned restoration work, and it isn’t currently registered in the UK (hence the French registration plates). It will, however, be sold with a full MoT.
THE CCW VIEW
As a representative of the breed, this is hard to fault
– any niggles are really only minor, and some of those could easily be regarded as patina or character. This car’s certainly well stocked in terms of the latter – like all 2CVs, this one is a lot of fun to drive. Some might consider the price as being pretty strong for one of these cars, but what you are effectively getting here is a nut-and-bolt restoration at a significant discount. Viewed that way, it’s more than fair.
PROS Excellent recent restoration work CONS Not UK-registered, strong asking price
BUY IT FROM Horsepower Hangar, 25, Redstone Industrial Estate, Boston, Lincolnshire PE21 8EA. 07799 360360, horsepowerhangar.com