1989 Citroën 2CV "Dolly"

Engine & Mechanical Refinement

Don’t let its simple appearance fool you; the 2CV engine requires precise attention to detail.

• Solving Persistent Oil Leaks: The car arrived with a significant oil leak [32:19]. Upon teardown, we discovered a common but critical error: a previous repair had completely omitted the valve stem seals [33:28].
• Push Rod Tube Seals: We addressed the "nightmare" task of replacing the seals on the push rod tubes [32:54]. This required dismantling half the engine just to access a few pence worth of seals, ensuring the engine stays dry and reliable [33:55].
• Safety Corrections: We removed non-original "DIY" speaker brackets and wiring that posed a hazard to the driver's feet, returning the cabin to its safe, functional factory layout [34:16].

Structural Bodywork & Welding

Rust is the primary enemy of the 2CV’s thin-gauge steel, requiring expert fabrication to fix properly.

• Windscreen Frame Repair: Removing the flat-glass windscreen revealed significant corrosion hidden beneath the rubber seal [38:14].
• Welding & Fabrication: Our "welding wizard" cut out the rot and patched the holes around the windscreen and other localised areas to restore structural integrity [38:47].
• Component Refinishing: To freshen the exterior, the wheels and bumpers were shot-blasted to remove years of grime, then primed and resprayed to their original factory finish [38:54].

Aesthetic & Functional Upgrades

• Air Vent Replacement: The front air vent, a critical part of the 2CV's "air conditioning" was replaced with a brand-new unit. Because parts for these cars are readily available and affordable, a new replacement was more cost-effective than a complex repair [39:10].
• Interior Detailing: The car underwent a deep clean and the removal of "gaffer tape" repairs, replacing them with correct components to ensure the car looks as good as it drives [31:50].

Rigorous Testing: The "Stubble Field" Test

The 2CV was famously designed to carry a basket of eggs across a ploughed field without breaking them.

• Suspension Evaluation: We took the Dolly to its natural habitat, a bumpy stubble field, to put the long-travel, "wallowy" suspension through its paces [41:01].
• Reliability Proof: After our intervention, the car passed its MOT with no issues, proving that this 50-year-old design is still a viable, "user-friendly" alternative to a modern vehicle [40:44].

The Result

This 2CV Dolly was transformed from a leaky project into a "thing of beauty" [39:59]. It now features a leak-free engine, a solid, rust-free frame, and the classic "wind-in-your-hair" charm that makes 2CV ownership so special.

Classic charm, professionally preserved.