About Tough to Crack Car Puzzle #152: Charbonneaux 2CV

• 

A Citroen 2CV? Yes, really! The base vehicle used for this creation by Philipe Charbonneaux is well hidden. Just three of you recognized it as such, and all three are regulars: John Elema, Gerd Klioba and Alan Spencer. What’s more: all three gave excellent answers, narrative and just within the 100-words limited. Spencer: “What a transformation! This was a one-of-a-kind special-bodied Citroen 2CV, designed by the French stylist, Philippe Charbonneaux, and presented under his name at the 1955 Salon de l'Auto. It was also displayed at various concours d'elegance, either in the black and pale yellow color scheme as photographed, or with the yellow and black flipped (except the roof remained black). The grille is a copy of the contemporary Citroen 15CV Presidentielle in its original form, also designed by Charbonneaux.”

Elema concentrated more on the creation: “In 1952 designer Charbonneaux was demanded by Dagonet, known for 2CV derivatives, for a study on the basis of a Citroën 2 CV. Pacaud from Reims was to be the builder but did not finish the project. That was done by Saint Cloud from Paris.” While Klioba gave some details: “It kept the original 425 cc engine, the windscreen came from a Simca 9 Sport. The grille resembled the presidential Citroen 15CV Limousine by Franay, another Charbonneaux design. This little beauty of a car cost around 700,000 Francs, which could buy you a Renault Frégate. The coupe was to be seen with an inverted colour scheme (except for the roof) at the Enghien concours d'élégance later on.” He wins this time, but it was a close call. Can we count on the three of you next week gentlemen?

Ajoutez un commentaire...