Pure, pure melancholy. That happens to you if you used to regularly drive the 2CV4 that your mother often drove. And decades later you find yourself behind the wheel of an A-type Citroën with the same, modest power source. The classic on duty is a Dyane from 1968. And this does not date from the very first series, but from the first revised series, with the 435 cc engine. Or can a modest amount of horsepower in a charming coat provide pure pleasure? Count on it.
51, 52, 53, 54. The needle of the counter slowly creeps up. Considering the noise produced by the poorly functioning two-cylinder power source, you have the feeling that you are going faster. Until your eyes are focused on the road again. Then you see the relaxed and languid pace at which everything passes by. 60,65,70,75. The gang is coming in, every horsepower is one, we have been on our way for a while. And the extra gas that we now add to the engine that has warmed up causes everything to chatter. It suits this type of car, this quirky and very likeable French sister of the 2CV. It looks more modern, but the atmosphere, the sound, the air and the completely autonomous impression are the same as that of the Duck. Delicious.
The Dyane really looks a few notches more modern. Our copy painted in Bleu Weekend still has the closed C-pillar, but is Dyane enough in everything to immediately recognize it as such. And that also applies to the spring characteristic. The long deflections of the typical system with the central spring tubes harmonize with the frotteurs at the front and the longitudinally placed shock absorbers (just like the suspension). The steering is tailored to that characteristic, it works pleasantly indirectly. And when the rudder turns, you are treated to a sideways inclined plane. Hanging on one ear is also wonderful in a Dyane, and you know that it can never go wrong.
Anticipation is necessary. In terms of speed and acceleration anyway. It used to be a challenge to get along on the highway, but today you have no business going there at all. And you don't have to, because this is really an ideal classic for rural routes, for small roads. She is at her best there. Citroën did not install too large drums on the Dyane. But if you take that into account, you have enough time to stop the Dyane in time. Even if you always drive at a relatively low speed. Shifting gears with the umbrella lever - in combination with the well-functioning short-stroke clutch - is a pleasure. In everything-and that too is part of the charm package of this one Citroën- are you working. And for this you will be rewarded with a good portion of comfort, which goes hand in hand with pure basic principles.
Simplicity can be stunningly attractive. Just the starting procedure, where you put the key (bottom left) on the ignition and start the modest engine with a central pull button. Or consider the way in which you secure the tailgate. You raise the lid and it rests on one rod. And you unlock it again with a hook button in the middle. Also handy: the two sliding windows per front door. And with a simple process you open the roof to connect indoor and outdoor air. Meanwhile, it is no problem at all for tall people to find a spacious spot behind the flat steering wheel. Whether small or large: every driver looks out on a simple set of instruments and ditto equipment consisting of buttons and levers. Everything is functional, and it works. So that you can easily control ventilation and heating with a closed roof, for example.
This version is not the Luxury, but the luxurious Confort version. This means that there are two seats in the front instead of a sofa. The furniture in the front and back is comfortable and is covered with beautiful brown artificial leather. This version has just a little more on board. The molded plastic door panels are very nice. They got the Confort, but not the basic version. The wheel covers are another indication that we are on the road with the most luxurious version.
Citroën was always a master at building special cars. And in the case of the A-types: simplicity can be combined with a very unique design style. Like the Dyane, who drew attention to her charming appearance with her hips swaying. And showed how you presented charming, romantic and unpretentious simplicity in your own way.
With thanks to Anne Kramer
What a beautiful story. This is what it sounds like when you enjoy driving a voiture, which is not actually a car, but more of a kind of lifestyle. I have been enjoying a so-called real Duck for 53 years (not in the same copy). I recently drove to the south of Spain with my granddaughter, then 12 years old. Up and down about 5.000 km of pure enjoyment.
Or 2CV or a Diane, oh well... It doesn't matter to me. I grew up with these very lovable things in the streets, I have had to drive into them left and right and I have often worked on them to help stranded friends get back on the road. If only they should have done maintenance instead of neglecting a 'canard' like that. It will teach them! Driving these car(s) was always a pleasure. The charming simplicity of a truly lovable car with a ingenious suspension. How beautiful life can be. And the experience of overtaking a truck on the highway was something. Crawling past it inch by inch, until the truck driver held a slice of bread out the window to feed the duck we were sitting in. We almost broke in half laughing. Only beautiful memories!
From the experiences of a 2CV driver, I know that drivers made overtaking their combination a bit more difficult for the early Duck drivers by accelerating a bit, so that the driver did not get distracted and often had no other option. but to continue driving behind the truck.
Beautifully written piece, worthy of Dyane.
The sound of the engine is the same as that of the Duck, but the other sounds (fortunately) are not. The better-closing and more solid doors produce little wind noise compared to the Duck. The roof does not rattle, which was included with aging Duck roofs. If you ever had to overtake or encounter a truck on a windy day, you were well aware that there was only a (flapping) tarpaulin above your head. There is even a removable, plastic alternative. But that did not become popular, probably because of the price.
I think the noise is the only disadvantage of Duck, but my wife doesn't want Dyane, she thinks it's a fake Duck. So we continue happily in a 2CV6 Special.
What a fantastic description of a great and simple little car; It is not without reason that the A-types are so popular...
Enjoy it, especially when the sun is shining, this is the ultimate relaxation mobile for the whole family.
Bring a picnic basket..
Ohhh, what a cutie, especially in this version without the third side window. And wonderfully Spartan. Wonderful report, thanks for this great memory.
Very good memories. Everything was transported, from tree trunks for the stove to a piano. An accessory from the 'Commerciale', a tin cover that covered the space for the spare wheel, helped with this and was moved to the later 'sixes'. Unfortunately I can no longer stand the noise of the boxer twin in a tin drum. But I can still enjoy the travels and adventures in my memory for miles.