Citroën 2CV AZAM
This tin snail is pricey in wacky old 2CV land – but its restored condition actually represents a discount, says Nathan Chadwick
This car recently underwent extensive restoration in France, a photographic record of which comes with the car. The restoration managed to blend excellent panel work and paint with a nod to retaining the car’s original character. It still looks good with no bubbling, faded or scratched paintwork and just a few stone chips on the nose. Similarly we could see no corrosion topside or underneath. The wheels and hub caps are in good condition though the chrome has some misting and marks. The missing driver’s side door mirror glass and window stay rubber will be attended to before sale. A small tear in the driver’s side rear wheel arch looks to have been rustproofed and painted, which should protect it. The canvas roof is undamaged.
Being a Sixties 2CV there isn’t a great deal to see inside but the restoration saw new seats and door trims being fitted, all of which still look superb. There are a few marks in the dashboard and steering wheel but nothing other than signs of light patina. We saw no evidence of damp and all of the instruments and equipment work. The binnacles and lights also work – the former with charmingly jiggly enthusiasm – and the seats adjust well, too. The only obvious thing that it’s missing is a set of floor mats.
The engine bay appears to be very clean with no signs of corrosion anywhere. The oil is a healthy golden colour and none of the fluids appear to be leaking. We could see no signs of accident damage, nor are there any oily smells. There isn’t much in the way of service history for this car – aside from the pictorial evidence of its comprehensive restoration in France – and the car isn’t currently registered in the UK – hence the French plates. Import duties have been paid though, and it will be sold with a year’s MOT.
The engine fires up straight off the key with a fizzy rasp and feels eager from the get-go. The steering is a little on the heavy side but well within the parameters of the breed – it’s direct and feelsome, though there is a dead zone around the straight ahead. The car tracks straight and true, with no deviations other than following road camber. The temperature remains well within limits and there is no rev searching at idle. The brakes aren’t the sharpest but again, well within what’s acceptable for a 2CV of this vintage, with no juddering through the pedal. The gearchange is smooth for a 2CV and clutch operation equally stress-free. The suspension is every bit as compliant as it should be, with no undue bangs or rattles, even over poor surfaces.
This is hard to fault as a representative of the breed – any niggles are really only minor, and some of those could easily be viewed as patina or character. This car is certainly well stocked in the latter department – lowly performance aside, it’s a lot of fun to drive. Some might consider the price rather strong but what you are effectively getting here is a nut-and-bolt restoration at a significant discount.