Storytelling Sunday: the 2CV

Hello everyone,

Today's the first day of the month and Sian holds her regular Storytelling Sunday where we get to share our favorite stories. 2013's theme is our precious things. Since last week, I reconnected with a very pleasing memory from my childhood, I thought I'd share that story with you.

From 1948 to 1990, Citroën (the French car manufacturer) produced one of the most mythical cars in our country: the 2CV, or deudeuche (one of its many nicknames). The point of this car was to be small, affordable, simple, and easy to maintain to make it popular among low income, rural people. It took a few decades for it to become successful, but over time, it became a symbol. Those driving it expressed a rejection of a society of mass production. The 2CV proved to become more than a cheap car, it was the symbol of an era, of a way of life, of a generation rising against the conformism of the 50s. 

When I was a kid, my uncle had two successive deudeuches. A khaki one which smelled strongly of leather. And later, a purple van one. We used to go for walks in the forest together and I'd love to get in that car. This car just put a huge smile on my face every time during the whole trip. And it still does. The way it operated with its manual 3-gear gearbox, its unique engine sound, its loud, funny indicators, and cool headlights made the whole thing special. It was nothing like any other car I knew. It was rudimentary, for sure, but I fell in love with its vintage look. Its design is candy for the eyes. How to resist it? It's not just a car, it's a whole experience. 

Today, many clubs have emerged to maintain the myth of this wonderful car. There are rallies and processions organized from time to time. Last week, I had the pleasure to reconnect with that experience. Chris, my Auntie's boyfriend, a 2CV aficionado from the Deuch des Gaves Réunis, a local 2CV club in South-West France, very kindly proposed to drive me to the train station in his car. He kindly allowed me to share these pictures of his car. I thought the car was bigger than that in the inside (I guess, I grew up!). 

All I can wish for my Auntie and her sweetheart is a long and mythical love story, as successful as the 2CV has been. They both deserve a smooth, not too bumpy, ride to happiness. Love you guys and thank you again for this special treat. You made the little girl in me happy.

Sabrina S.

Comments

  1. That is a very cute car! When I have encountered things such as this from my childhood, I always marvel as how small they seem. Yes, we do grow :-)

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  2. Such a quirky car - I have very fond memories of rides in a bright yellow one! Thank you for sharing your story today - it has brough back some happy memories for me. J xx

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  3. Ah my second fave car ever (first is the Citroen Monster car. Not its real name, but it is the one the Mentalist drives in the US TV show). Thanks for the story and the last paragraph is just beautiful

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  4. These cars make me smile too - i always see a face smiling at me! great memories.

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  5. I only ever got to ride in a 2CV once & I loved it! Such a charismatic car...up there with the VW Beetle & the original mini!! I remember feeling as if the whole car was going to tip sideways every time we went around a bend, the suspension was so generous!! TFS :D

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  6. Oh, this is just lovely! When I first started dating my husband his sister drove a pale blue 2CV just like the one in your picture. She only sold it when her dad persuaded her to drive her children about in something a bit heavier! But it was loved by everyone in the family and it's a pleasure to see the photos and read of your love for them too. Funny, the other one I remember round town belonged to our French teacher!

    Thanks for joining in again in 2013. Hope to see you again next month :)

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  7. How lovely to revisit a childhood experience and reconnect with those memories.

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  8. Oh what a sweet little car! The colour is lovely and those headlights are great! How lucky you were to get a ride in it!

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  9. Such an iconic car.....and it really does look good as well.

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  10. My sister in law had several of these when I first met her - I love them too! Thanks for sharing the photos and story xx

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  11. Many thanks for sharing this story from your childhood.
    These cars always look like they are smiling to me :)

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  12. How wonderful that your ride to the airport reminded you of these lovely memories. Thanks for sharing your story.

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  13. So many fun memories - and I love when something like a car can become a symbol against conformity and commercialism!

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  14. This is a great story, these little cars have always put a big smile on my face :)

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  15. Oh I like the 2CVs several people had them when I arrived in the UK - so different to anything I'd seen in the US. How lovely you got to relive your childhood - even if it shrank ;)

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  16. I wouldn't mind having a car like that. No wonder you think it is so precious. It is the most unique car I have ever seen.

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  17. What a cute car, Sabrina! Funny how things are so much smaller once we grow up. TFS something precious this month :)

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  18. What a cute looking car! I love the way cars from that era look!

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  19. A great story. The deudeuche featured a lot in my early twenties as my best friend had one. Boy, did we have some fun in that car. It was a real head turner! The photographs are precious too.

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  20. What a great story - I learned a lot about something new. Cars can have a unique significance in our youth it seems - they always hold memories as well as passengers.

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  21. Pleasure shared is a double pleasure .
    A tender kisskiss for you, my SUPER niece .
    Pasc and Chris .

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  22. What a lovely memory - I'm glad we got to share it with you. xo

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