The hard way
about 2CV chassis

Here is the typical kind of US 2CV with a chassis trap (noticed on a forum) :

Subject: 2CV for Sale!
From: ******* ********* <**********@*****.***>
Date: *************************
Hello, I have a 2cv 1985 that I would like to sell.
*Odometer: 80,000km
*Rust: None
*Daily Driver
*New Exhaust
*New kingpins
*A few small dents on doors
*Car is originally from Holland
*Antirust treatment
*Seats in very good condition
*Great car
*Possibility to deliver from South Carolina
*Price: 6500$ OBO

Why can I tell you there is a trap ?
Well, if there was a rust treatment as written, there should be no rust, so no need to say there is none.
The OBO also indicates the owner is on hurry to sell but he does not indicates why.
For those very simple reasons, beware...

The reasons to be carefull was increased a few weeks after, when the following ad was posted for the same 2CV by the same personn but on a different forum :

2cv for sale in South Carolina
Posted by ******* ********* <**********@*****.***>
on ***********************
I have a great 2cv6 that I am willing to sell
80,000km
new exhaust
new shock absorbers
chrome bumper
a little rust but nothing serious
Price: 5000$ OBO

Obviously, the 2CV was not selling because rust was visible and so it was necessary not to hide the fact any more and drop the price.

The diagnostic of chassis trap was unfortunately confirmed later when, in the first forum, came the following message :

Subject: My chassis is bent!!!
From: ******* ********* <**********@*****.***>
Date: *************************
Hello everybody
I am writing with very bad news. Just as I was pushing the car up and down to get all the oil out of the engine in an oilchange, I noticed a frightening sound, looked under, and the chassis was bent just rear of the front axle.
Now this explains why I have an exhaust that always leaks, wheels that are always out of alignment, misfitting body panels, etc...
If anybody has a galvanized chassis or knows where to get one please inform me. Advice on chassis-changing would also be helpful.
I always secretly wanted to change that darn rusted chassis anyway!! Thanks for any help anybody can provide me.

There was several messages for help from the forum :

• I did this job (with help from a mechanic). It is not easy and takes some planning, but necessary to save the car.
  You will need a space for two chassis side-by-side for as much as a week, several "steady" jacks, a good selection of tools, nearby access to an automotive (hardware) store, some good luck and lots of determination.
• Bad luck old chap but "join the club" is probably an appropriate comment!
  There are many makers / suppliers of new replacement chassis here in Britain but that info may not be relevant for you.
  I have experience chassis changing, but a description of the job is not exactly a 'one liner'. Apart from anything else you will probably ( certainly ) find a lot of other repairs to do while the body is off!
  If you do decide to go ahead with the job come back to us and I am sure you will get masses of advice. If you do not have much money, you may be looking for a second hand chassis.
• never happened to me but looks more terrific than it really is !
  get a good place for working and one or two good friends to help and prepare yourself to discover some other things to fix ...
  One thing is for sure : you'll learn a lot and that 2cv will be the best in the world !

Information for webmasters
The dollar banknote flag is an animated Gif Designed by Crames Studios © 1997. All rights reserved.