2HP - 2CV Classics

[Smallhorses]

Well, seached for 2CV, 2HP and "2HP - 2CV" but came up with the same threads each time, and they're only in reference to where to find the races, and the prizes.

I was just wondering why they called this "2HP - 2CV Classics" when the 2CV has 15HP?

I know that 2CV stands for Deux Cheval Vitesse, or literally translated, Two Horse Speed, since that's about what a 2CV would do, 2 x 30 mph (top speed of a horse apparently!) But then it should have been "2HS - 2CV Classics" shouldn't it?

Anyone got any ideas where the 2HP bit came from?

 

[nissan man]

Well, seached for 2CV, 2HP and "2HP - 2CV" but came up with the same threads each time, and they're only in reference to where to find the races, and the prizes.

I was just wondering why they called this "2HP - 2CV Classics" when the 2CV has 15HP?

I know that 2CV stands for Deux Cheval Vitesse, or literally translated, Two Horse Speed, since that's about what a 2CV would do, 2 x 30 mph (top speed of a horse apparently!) But then it should have been "2HS - 2CV Classics" shouldn't it?

Anyone got any ideas where the 2HP bit came from?

I was also wondering this, maybe thats what theyre called in the eastern (japan, china) games?

 

[kyle]

Maybe it has double the hp of a horse. Or maybe I am just on crack. Or maybe I just don't know. Wait, I think it's the last one.

 

[Scaff]

CV is the French equivilent of the European PS power rating (which is German in origin). CV stands for Cheval Vapeur which literally translates as steam horse, while pferdestarke is roughly translated as horse strong.

Just for the record 1 CV/PS = 0.9863201 horsepower.

Now the GT4 version of the 2CV has 15bhp, the original 1949 version had a whole 9bhp.

A number of different stories exist about the origin of the 2CV name, the most common one is that as the car was developed as transport for rural France after the war the name represents what it was to replace, two horses and a cart. Therefore the name is quite literally the power of two horses.

BTW the car had one of the strangest design briefs ever:

"Pierre Boulanger, the father of the 2CV, set a brief to his Chief Engineer, Maurice Broglie, for a new car to be codenamed "Becassine" (snipe) to be an "umbrella on wheels" to carry two farmers, along with 50kg. of potatoes or a small barrel of wine at a maximum speed of 60 km/hr. It must travel in good comfort over rough rural roads. Economy was to be a priority - less than 3 litres of petrol was to be used to cover 100 km., and the car must cost less than one third of the then current Traction Avant."

additionally

"The innovative suspension for which Boulanger defined a specification to enable the car to carry a basket of eggs without breakage across a ploughed field was developed"

Regards

Scaff

 

[slotcarrod]

Wow Scaff! That's some fine info on the CV! 👍

I felt naked not knowing this. Now I think I will go bash on my pink one, CV that is!

 

[RenesisEvo]

The original 2CV's had 425cc engines, which fell into the French tax category of "2CV" - hence the name of the car. The later cars had 602cc engines, which fell into the 3CV category, but the car was not renamed as such - instead, 2CV4 and 2CV6 were used, the last number denoting the first decimal place of the displacement in litres.

 

[Smallhorses]

Aha! Thanks for the excellent information guys, that's been very informative.
I do remember seeing cars with the 2CV6 badge on them when I was younger.

Never did like the 2CV much as a vehicle, and remember a comedian, possibly Jaspar Carrott describing it as "an upturned, corrugated pram on wheels."
My Mum's business partner had one in which I remember the passenger door came off in my hand! My friend and I were able to re-hang it without too much difficulty and much hilarity since we'd been taking the mickey out of the poor car all through the journey!

Still, since we have to drive one in GT4, I figured I'd learn a little about them!

 

[ExigeEvan]

Wait till you see 20 2CVs going round a corner, 4 cars side by side.

Hilarious.

Good info Scaff, as always. 👍

 

[Scaff]

Wait till you see 20 2CVs going round a corner, 4 cars side by side.

Hilarious.

Good info Scaff, as always. 👍

Many thanks ExigeExcel

Here you go guys have a look at this, quite well known in Europe but should be fun for those further afield.

Here in Europe a 24hr endurance race is run every year for 2CV's, its been held at a range of circuits includeing Spa.

http://www.snet24.co.uk/

http://www.citroen-2cv.org.uk/Events/spa/20021005spa24hrsIndex.htm

Regards

Scaff

 

[szwadiak]

How many laps of Spa in 2CV could you do in 24 hours? Three?

 

[nissan man]

Nice Find Scaff!👍
Good man!👍

LOL umbrella on wheels

But i heard they run for 25hours? might be wrong...