NO RESERVE - 1988 Citroën 2CV6 Special Dolly

Highlights

  • Late 2CV6 in need of full body restoration
  • Replacement canvas roof in good condition
  • Starts and drives
  • Mostly complete and a great project basis

THE BACKGROUND 

The 2CV, Deux Chevaux, ‘Tin Snail’ or ‘Umbrella on wheels (Pluriel)’ was born in the 1930s, the brainchild of Citroën’s then boss Pierre-Jules Boulanger.
According to folklore, he was driving in the countryside, stuck behind a farmer’s horse and cart. To his mind, a faster alternative would not only speed up traffic but would also be good for the economy, so the 2CV was born – a mechanically simple vehicle with seating that was equally suitable for people and agricultural produce, casks of wine or even small livestock. Famously, he wanted the car to be able to cross a ploughed field without breaking a tray of eggs carried in the back.
The 2CV was born in 1936, with the first models coming off the production line in 1938 ahead of the 1939 Paris Motor Show. Then war broke out, and it would be 1948 before 2CV marketing began in anger. 
Little did anyone know at the time, but it would still be on sale 40 years later, when this example rolled off the production line. It had evolved a bit since its launch, but the basic car was still very much the same – and that long and rich production run means that you can still get everything you need for a 2CV today.
That’s great news if you’re looking for a project, as the simple bolt-together construction of a 2CV makes them popular restoration fodder. The downside being that so many have been done already and projects are getting fewer and further between.
Here, then, is your very own 2CV blank canvas – but it does require a fair bit of work. 

THE HISTORY

This is a genuine UK RHD car that was first registered in November 1988. It has had 13 owners since, the most recent since 2004.
The odometer reading of 32,792 miles is partly backed up by MOT history but should not be assumed as genuine. 
It was last MOT’d in 2009 and has been off the road since just 290 miles after it passed that last test, and was bought as part of a barn clearance by the vendor having been parked up for at least 12 years. 
Since acquiring it, the vendor has got the car running and it is sold as mechanically functional but in need of thorough restoration.

THE PAPERWORK

Supplied with the Citroën are a Haynes Workshop Manual and a printed MOT history, along with a receipt for a new starter motor that the vendor acquired to get it running. 
There is a current V5C in the name of the vendor.

THE EXTERIOR

Make no mistake – this is not a quick tidy-up project. The car has rust issues that will need to be addressed properly before it sees the road again, but there are a good many plus points, not least of which is the 2CV’s modular construction. 
It’s like a Land Rover – it starts from the chassis and everything else bolts on, including the body and the engine and transmission. As such, repairing a 2CV is less of a challenge than carrying out complex body repairs to unitary construction cars, which makes them hugely popular with restorers. 
Other good points are that the chassis really isn’t that bad, or what we could see of it at least, and that it’s complete. The only missing body parts are the door mirrors and bumpers, both easily replaced. 
The panels are all there and are definitely salvageable and the canvas roof is actually pretty good – it was replaced in the mid-2000s and is certainly viable for future use.
The floor pans have rusted through on the passenger side and the worst patch of corrosion is on the corner of the bulkhead. A new bulkhead is the sensible and most cost-effective way out. 
So yes, there’s a fair bit of work to do. But do it right and you’ll have a gorgeous 2CV in the best ‘Plums and Custard’ colour scheme.

THE INTERIOR

Inside, the seats are certainly worth cleaning up and reusing, as are the interior door cards. There are no carpets, though, and the upper dashboard is cracked, while the steering wheel centre boss is missing.
But, it’s a 2CV. And that means you can get pretty much everything you need, including those parts, off the shelf. 

THE MECHANICS 

When the vendor first acquired the 2CV it was a non-runner, but with the acquisition of a new starter motor and a clean-up of the fuel system, it now starts and runs. It sounds pretty good for a 2CV, too. Noisy, but only because they always were! 
The vendor has driven it around his paddock and reports that the gears and clutch work and that it has brakes, which will obviously be of benefit for loading and transporting it. 

THE APPEAL

This is a project car – of that, make no mistake. But with 2CV projects becoming increasingly rare, and especially original UK cars, this one has a lot of appeal. 
It’s mostly complete and original, it runs and it has a V5C, so there’ll be no nasty surprises when applying to register it once the restoration is complete. 
If you’re looking for a blank canvas and are an experienced car restorer, or are looking for your first restoration project and want to begin with a car that is well-supported by parts suppliers and bolts together far more easily than a Mini (for example) the this would be a great place to start. It deserves to live again.

Notice to bidders

Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.

All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller’s discretion.

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 2022
  • Make Citroen
  • Model 2CV Special
  • Colour Plums and Custard
  • Odometer 32,792 Miles
  • Engine size 602
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Trade
  • Location Essex
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
9 bids from 3 bidders
  • jh•••• £900 24/05/22
  • to•••• £800 21/05/22
  • jh•••• £700 21/05/22
  • to•••• £600 21/05/22
  • jh•••• £500 17/05/22
  • al•••• £400 17/05/22
  • jh•••• £300 17/05/22
  • al•••• £200 17/05/22
  • jh•••• £100 17/05/22
Message C&C Auction Team

The gallery

The safest way to buy a classic car online

Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller. More about buying with us
Safe, secure payment process

About Max Bids

The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.

Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.

Anti-sniping

Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.

Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.

Auto-bidding increments

  • If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
  • If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
    • Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
    • We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.

Bid Amount Increment
£0 to £9,999 £100.00
£10,000 to £49,999 £250.00
£50,000 to £99,999 £500.00
£100,000 + £1,000.00

Automatically outbid immediately

When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.

You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.

Matching max bids

When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.

Pre-authorisation

We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.

What are pre-bids?

A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.

Problem with your bid

Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.