Citroen 2CVs make the trek from Paris to China and back
Former Le Mans racer Jacques Grelley has just kicked off a 75-day journey across 22,000 miles on what's sure to be one hell of a road trip, driving all the way from Paris to Beijing and back again. His trek will commemorate the 100th anniversary of a 1907 race, which saw five challengers travel the great distance often without roads or a map, and included Italian Prince Scipione Borghese who took top honors.
This year's race will be very different but we're sure the event will be every bit as adventurous as the original. For starters, 71 year old Grelley will be driving a 1979 Citroen 2CV, one of 50 such cars in this year's event, equipped with a GPS navigation system and K&N air filter.
The journey will travel en route through 18 different countries including Iran. Grelley was initially worried passing through the Balkans and the Middle East, but being the only American citizen competing, organizers say there's nothing to worry about if they stick together. "I trust them," Grelley assures.
[Source: AutoWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
VW-Guy 10:41AM (7/25/2007)
That is absolutely amazing! I really admire the people who do stuff like this. Looks to be an incredible adventure and will make memories to last a lifetime.
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nom de plume 11:47AM (7/25/2007)
As a 2CV owner, I think this is fantastic. Citroen was one of the most innovative companies in the history of automobile design. That this pre-war design can still be used as a daily driver and get 54mpg in the city, mine does, is amazing. 2CVs also have an amazing record of off road adventures, Many have driven from Europe to China, to South Africa, and to India. At least one has circled the world. They are not only off road capable, but are superbly reliable.
Next time some poser thinks they need a Hummer to get to the sports bar in a snow flurry, they might reread this post.
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Barney 11:51PM (7/25/2007)
They specified the car had an K&N air filter. Is this something special, specifically for the 2CV? I never seen the advantage but the 2CV is low on power and wonder if it would be a great benefit. These cars were the French version of the VW bug.
Mark 11:49AM (7/25/2007)
in one of the most polluting cars ever built, it's about time it did the decent thing and died
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nom de plume 11:58AM (7/25/2007)
Mark, What on earth gave you the idea that the 2cv is "one of the most polluting cars ever built"? It has a very efficient 602cc four-stroke engine that is super efficient. True, that it does not have modern smog equipment, but it is not even in the top 500 most polluting cars ever built. Safety concerns is what killed the 2CV, not pollution.
Vega 1:09PM (7/25/2007)
OK Mark you troll,
if you have no interest in cars just don't write any stupid comments here on autoblog, ok?
The production of the 2cv ended in 1990, so it has already rolled over and died in a way. Or do you mean that any car which doesn't confirm with current new car emission regulations should be banned and crushed? Nice thinking, now go back to the organic food, conspiracy theory ("GM killed the electric car") blog or whatever corner of the internet it is that you came from.
Colin Smith 4:23PM (7/25/2007)
The 2CV was on of the most brilliant cars ever designed.
You can't appreciate progress in automotive technology and not know that.
Oh, and if anyone out there asks why it was so brilliant, just Google up 2CV, and read - if you can!
Andre Citroen was a brilliant man.
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Colin Smith 4:31PM (7/25/2007)
PS.
I know, Andre Citroen was already dead; the 2CV was designed by Pierre Boulanger (check spelling) just before the war, but A. Citroen was still a genius, and the 2CV only lasted so long because it was such an advanced car.
Criticise, and make fatuous comments about crap cars and polluting cars by all means, but please understand genius when it appears.
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Nathan Marks 8:46AM (7/26/2007)
I used to own one of these and it was easily one of the most enjoyable cars i've ever driven.
The suspension is a hoot.
Its a great little car.... simply fantastic
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Selen 5:41AM (7/31/2007)
Sunday( 29 july), they were in Turkey,just passed Istanbul..I saw them:)) I've really interested to see those funny cars on the turkish roads and wanted to learn who were those people... :)) I tried to ask but they didn't know English:((
Fantastic route, but some of them were in trouble with their cars:))
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Spule 4 12:30AM (8/01/2007)
I learned to drive in an Ami-6 and have been in my share of Ducks. Drive from Paris to China in a Duck, no way. In a ID/DS, sure!
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