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G0TEZ > CAR 01.06.12 08:16l 56 Lines 2059 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : E90014G0TEZ
Read: DK3UZ GUEST
Subj: RE:Pete and the air v elec
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0MRW<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<UA6ADV<GB7CIP
Sent: 120601/0058Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EU #:43661 [Caterham Surrey GBR] $:E90014G0
From: G0TEZ@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EU
To : CAR@WW
Taking the tail end of your msg, I drove the 'Beetle' and the Citroen 2CV
at about the same time.
As I have said before, the Beetle was rugged but very noisy and not
exciting on performance or mpg either.
About the same time, I was in the south of Frnace, using a firm's car
which happenned to be a Ciroen Ami, not exciting looking but the 998cc
crossflow engine was very sporting.
I encountered a farmer and got chatting. He agreed to let me drive his 2CV
in exchange for mine which he had never driven. His 2 CV had seats with no
cushions of cloth or fabric, instead they were just criss crossed strips
of fabric which, in a hot country, are great for keeping your rear end
cool.
The engine noise was far lower than that of the VW and, once used to the
'walking stick' gear change, it was a much better change than the VW. With
his permission, I tried it on a rough track and the ride was very smooth.
It was to be many years before I learnt that one of the criteria in the
2CV's design was to be able to drive across a ploughed field with a carton
of eggs and not break any.
I would like to get a 2CV but they are becoming collector's items now.
Probably the 'bug' is the same but, I would only want to drive either of
them on local trips. In order to travel for hours on one of our motorways
at 70 - 80 mph (120 -130 kph). For that, I would like something a bit
bigger and, preferably with cruise control.
I forgot one contender for the 'people's car' the Italian Fiat 500. I
can't remember much about it apart from thinking the same think about
distance as the VW and the 2CV. I wasn't impressed !
I could go into the bubble cars like the Mersserschmitt, the Heinkel and
the Isetta (BMW) but we would be getting int the realms of stupidity. I
have owned a BMW i.e. the Isetta but was glad to see the back of it after
less than a year.
Perhaps you would be better waiting for the Tata ?
73 - Ian, G0TEZ @ GB7CIP
Message timed: 01:55 on 2012-Jun-01 BST
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