Something different

[Inaheinkel]

Hi

Nice to find something different from the normal offerings on Ebay.

I would have considered this as a purchase if it was either up and running or if I had a large garage. :-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1960-CITROEN-BIJOU_W0QQitemZ280273221562QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280273221562&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A7%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

What do you all think of it?

John

[blob]

Looks like your next project John. 

[Inaheinkel]

Hi

It's interesting and I would like it if it was more up-together.

John

[Jawmedead]

Way back in the 1970s a chap came in one of these cars to talk at a local club meeting. He took so long to arrive to Eastbourne from London because as he said the bodywork was made in such heavy glassfibre. The car with its small engine would only do 25mph! 

[motornoter]

The Bijou is a fascinating machine, but I can't understand why we had to have such an ugly beast in the UK when in France they were already building the stylish and very attractive UMAP - see http://famille.clave.online.fr/passions/2cv/umap/Umap.htm

Jaap van den Broek brought his UMAP on Liege-Brescia-Liege and it was a really impressive car. Unfortunately Jaap had tuned the 425cc engine to full Dagonnet 499cc spec (as used in the two UMAPs that competed on the original LBL in 1958, of which only one finished, well down the field) and the whopping 24-odd bhp proved too much for the standard gearbox/clutch, which disintegrated. Jaap found a local welder who got it going again, only for it to fail about 50 miles further on - time for an honourable retirement.
We hope Jaap will get the UMAP out again fully sorted for the Micro Marathon next September!

Malcolm

[Inaheinkel]

Hi

I think there are some similar traits in the Bijou and the Umap, I like the Umaps funky 50's style speedo and clocks.

John

[Chris Thomas]

Hi Chaps

If you look at the Bijou and the Citroed DS you will see that Citroen were trying to make the 2 CV Bijou look like a DS and failed. The boot lid and rear lights/bumper and rear wheel arches, The Steering wheel, The profile of the side doors and windows, and to some extent the bonnet line are similar, but on such a short vehicle it does not work as well as on the DS.

I expect that if it had been a success in the UK they would have rolled it out into France, but with the higher cost, lower performance and presumably unfamiliar method of production, it never took off, but is definitely a collectors item.

With an uprated engine, a GRP body and some TLC it would make a great little car to own.

Chris Thomas

[Inaheinkel]

Hi

Price is upto £600+ now.

On the internet I found another one thsold recently at auction for £550 ish.

Interesting car, stated top speed is 51mph, but from what everyone says this is probably optamistic.

John