I bought my car, because I'd always loved to have a 2cv, I'd always wanted one, I've had dozens of models all my life!

People say to me I'll upgrade muy car, but I'd honestly not be fussed if I was still riding riding round in it in 30 years. And that's honest
That's why I dont mind investing money in it, as much as I wish they wont, 2cv prices won't stop rising!

It really isn't about meetings. There isn't anything inherently wrong with them, but there isn't a right or wrong to this.

Personally I like cars spot on right. Not original for the sake of being original, but I like them to function as the designer intended. I want to be able to jump in the thing and drive to the south of France and do no more than check the oil in the morning. I have no interest at all in rebuilding engines by the side of the road. It's dull it's boring and it's unnecessary.

If I weld a patch into something I don't want to see it when the car is ready. I don't want to see patches of filler, I don't want to see rust, I don't like saggy seats, I don't like hoods that leak and I don't want to do modifications that look "cool". Form over function doesn't really interest me. I like good honest wear, I like patina, I like originality, I like cars that have been looked after their whole life.

All of us would like to buy excellent 2CVs for 50 quid, but here's the rub. They don't make them any more and their number is diminishing. Given that there is a finite number the only way they'll get shared out is by raising the price. That isn't the fault of noobs or newcomers or restorers. It's basic economics.

The point is this. It isn't about what I or anyone else likes. It isn't about meetings. Decide what YOU want to do with your car. Do you want to drive it to Aigues-Mortes next year or Aintree or EMR metal recycling? Do you want it original, modified, fast, low, slow.

But do make some sensible decisions. Vent flaps don't cure bendy chassis.....

"much as I wish they wont, 2cv prices won't stop rising"

Well a new one would have cost around £3000 when they were (sometimes) still made to a reasonable standard in the early eighties, when an average house cost around £35,000, a pint of beer 70 or 80p and a gallon of four star under £1.25.

It all depends on how you measure price rises. A 'like new' 2CV could be bought for six or seven thousand pounds, easily - I would have thought. And I don't mean one of those glossily-resprayed, shiny (but feeble)-chassied rebuilds.

I don't think people will continue to be stupid enough to buy £6000+ 2CVs with so many new (cheap) parts fitted that they no longer feel or go like a Citroen. As for genuine original cars in superb condition, I think that sort of money is fair.

If demand exceeds supply, the price goes up. If it doesn't it falls, unless people refuse to sell their cars. Most cars which were going to be broken for parts probably already have been. More cars are dragged out of barns and restored than ever before, so those interested in buying must keep pace if prices are to remain stable.

I wasn't trying to start another boring price debate, just putting my views across to James as to what keeps me interested. His original post was all about losing interest in his 2cv, something I've done plenty of times, my response was just pointing out the reasons that have made me keep it. If he's never been involved he can't know what he's missing. Yeah, yeah they're a great design but if you want to get somewhere far away in a hurry with 4 people and luggage in the pissing rain then I'll leave the 2cv right where it is and take something modern. If I want to meet friends and interesting folk who come from all four corners of the earth because of a common passion then I've only ever seen one car that's up to the job

I agree with that. I have my DAK and my wife's AMI , dont think that I will be able to buy another 2cv anymore.

And I can upgrade that with my experience ...

In my country soon I will not be able to buy 2CV anymore... they are rare as a "water in Sahara" and if you find one it is too much money for rust heap. In the time of world meeting in Slovenia 1995 Slovenia was country of Dyane's . Now all those cars gone . 2cv enthusiast are driving this cars only on sunny and dry days. No 2cv spirit left anymore...

I lost my faith long ago... Not to 2CV. I was trying to work on those cars for 15 years and earn money for everyday living. I even started to produce my own body parts for A serie when it was impossible to buy that parts. But less and less people want to buy and drive that cars. So I can not do that anymore... I am broke . Only what I can do now is to change my work for work on my house and after that I am finish. I know that it is my mistake... It is simple economy ... If you want to earn money you must charge full price. I did not want to do that . I just wanted to help other 2cv owners and now I am on the end.

I am not the only one that is working here on those cars. But I am only one that is unemployed - I don't have steady job like others .

I lost my faith that I will be able to open official business some day but I didn't lost my faith to the 2CV.

Loosing faith should not be related to money. Yes I know that money rules the world but being involved in 2cv’s is ‘’ not a car but a lifestyle’’ it depends on circumstances for each of us. James any car cost money to drive and maintain. 2cv’s are no longer cheap run-arounds but demand fair amount of money for maintenance and repairs. Remember these cars are getting old with many kilometres on the clock. If you look at money only, it would be better to drive small modern car but the fun is just not there. As Russ points out, the world wide community attached to the 2cv is for many people the interesting thing. I have been blessed by 2cv people, first the raids and tours I participate in, second the business we are running today in France. We have the same problem here in France, where prices for cars are increasing + the cost of repairs is going through the roof but people make the choice of 2cving or not. Don’t give up, if money is deciding for you maybe open an account called 2cv and sick maybe 10-20 pounds in every week. In one year, the account is showing 500 pounds which is a great help to keep your dream alive. I’m sure that 20 pounds can be found somehow by cutting elsewhere. Imagine 80 pounds per month is 1000 pounds per year.
Good luck Viking

With the pick up I passed the line years ago..
Failed it's MOT (chassis and floors) in 2004, it stood for 8 months on my parents drive way, 'cause I could not decide what to do with the car.
Had it for sale, but the people who responded never got an answer back from me.

Then I decided I wanted to keep my first car, and put some money in it, which I didn't have much back then.
By know, I don't want to know how much money I spent on the pick up alone. It's a lot, for sure.
Occasionally, when the car hadn't had many problems, I buy something nice for the car. Last year some new reflectors, this year the car will get some new front rims and so on. In this way, you improve the car bit by bit, without spending outrageous amounts of money.

The main point was, that I knew what I had mechanically, when I started the chassis change and pick up conversion. Okay, the chassis and floors were rotten, but the rest was good.
You could sell the car, but you'll never know what you get when you buy something else.

If you do know that was is really necessary (chassis), and do it decent you can drive again and get the love back. Yeah, it will cost money, but motoring just costs money.
Then do the second important thing, and so on and on and on. In the end, you've got the love and a good car.

And if it's leaky.. Try and live with it, it is a 2CV.. The plus points out rule most of the back draws

We all lose faith from time to time.

I keep my "faith" and interest in 2CVing alive by not driving it too often! I also love the social side of things, I've lost touch with most of my old school friends due to the fact that other than the fact we went to the same school, we had next to nothing in common-most of my friends now are people I've met within the 2CV/Citroen fraternity.

As for the financial side of things, 2CVs are expensive to buy these days but not to maintain and you've already got a 2CV so that's the expensive bit out of the way! I can keep the Ami on the road for a lot less than I can the Xantia or Freelander after all.

I would also add that you are a sod for creating work for yourself James, the chassis can be done and your car back on the road in a weekend, it doesn't need pistons and barrels etc etc at the moment. I understand that you'd like to do them while you have the cash available but why waste your money and time while you're in the middle of a crisis anyway, that's not gonna help you retain interest in the car.

Get it re-chassised and then get back to driving it, you'll soon remember why you bought it and love it.

Can see where you are coming from James, but hang in there. If you love the car, regardless of your 'scene' preference, take a deep breath, and get stuck in.

Not so long ago I bought a Charleston for far too much money and it was rotten to the core. Ok I am handy with the Mig myself but on more than one occasion I thought to myself 'sod it, it's too far gone, I'll either break it up as parts or just bin off the sorry lot as a pricey mistake.'
But, the reward at the end. Seeing the end result, and knowing that you have worked your balls off to help create that result, suddenly makes it all worthwhile. Keeping that outcome in mind helps you through the dark days, just when you think you are making headway and then you discover yet another bit of rusty shit that falls apart when you poke it, or a filler laden howler of a bodge that some chancer (or even 'specialist') has done on the cheap.

You won't regret it.

Hi there,

I have had my 2cv for the last 12 years, it has seen me through 6th form, uni and for the last few years my daily drive to work. During this time I have attended loads of events/rallies/convoys both 2CVGB and CCC. Through this I have made loads of friends mostly whom I am very close to.

I was lucky that the car was generally reliable and untill now has had limited rot.

I have had other cars during this time (CX's and XM's) mostly which have come and gone. I have considered many times ditching the 2cv wether it be money/new found love of a CX GTi or just bored off it. But everytime I get back in it, it puts a smile on my face and I fall in love with it again.

It now needs a lot of work doing (whole back end/front end etc, which I am tackling myself.

I would say stick with it and enjoy the car. There are loads of kind and wise people in the club and on forums to ask for help or advice.

Taken the body of the chassis today and cant wait to get it sorted for next summer!