Leaves From My Sketchbooks. 22. Citröen 2CV, Allandale

Euan Sarginson, my late friend and co-author of New Zealand Odyssey, parked this old Citröen 2CV in a distressed shed on his property at the head of Lyttelton Harbour. It was just visible through the long grass when I sketched it many years ago.

The French called it 'deux chevaux' - two horses - for its 2hp engine. Euan's model was a very early one, not at all like the tarted up fancy ones that tiptoe round chic Paris back streets these days.

A well known New Zealand women's magazine once ran a review of the Citröen which its writer called 'deux cheveux'. I wrote to them and pointed out that that meant 'two hairs' but they never replied!

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz    www.don-donovan.blogspot.co.nz
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