A New Addition to the Family

Our family of automobiles, that is!

I’m becoming truly French. Bought the quintessential French car, a Citroën Deux Chevaux, aka, 2CV, Deuche, The Ugly Duckling (Haessliches Entchen), Flying Dustbin, and dozens more.

My new baby.

The 2CV is two-cylinder 425 cc (20+ hp!) front-wheel-drive car developed to be a low-cost vehicle for the common family, with the added bonus of a full-width canvas roll-back “sunroof.” In the 40 years of production, over 3.8 million 2CVs were produced. The Michelin radial tire was first commercialized with the 2CV.

Theo has been jonesing for a cabriolet, but I don’t think this is what he had in mind! In all honesty, she’s my car. And I love her. But Theo does enjoy being driven in her.

I’ve always called this buttercup color “Doris Day Yellow,” harkening back to my younger days watching movies where Doris sported her lovely wardrobe—from swing dresses, to her famous sheath “wiggle” dress, to her elegant gowns. Yes, I wanted to grow up to BE Doris Day. Que sera sera… And so her name is Doris.

While we’re on the subject of cars, thought it would be fun to trip down car-name memory lane:

Lucy, the Red Devil, my 1963 Porsche 356.

This is ‘Lucy,’ aka Lucifer. Enjoyed her for a few years until someone came along and offered TOO MUCH MONEY for her.

Ouch. Damned kangaroos!

Funny story, though. We’ve heard from her current owner (2 owners post Cindy) via his search for me on FaceBook, that she’s now in Australia. Unfortunately, she had a little confrontation with a kangaroo and now needs some bodywork. But it’s been so interesting talking to the current owner and learning about her journey abroad!

Proud papa.

This is ‘Boomerang,’ a 1957 Triumph TR3 that came back to find Theo. He and a friend had restored this very car in 1988. When Theo saw the ad in the newspaper in 2008, he just had to call to see if it was her. Indeed, he had found the twin sister to his infamous vintage race car, so temptation prevailed. Eventually, Boomerang ended up with an east coast collector.

ZPuttPutt

This is ‘ZPutPut’ (read The Putt Putt with a German accent), which was my most recent sale before our move to France. A 1979 Beetle Cabriolet that was my kick-around-town car in Santa Cruz. Wished we could have brought her with us, but it simply didn’t make sense. Her vanity plates were ZPutPut, which the new owner wanted to keep. So if anyone sees her around San Jose, you can honk and wave!

Margaret’s toothy grin.

This is ‘Margaret,’ my 1953 Chevy Belair that we bought at a vintage car show. We promised each other “ice in our veins” to resist any temptation of purchasing, but after walking by her numerous times in the day, with the price dropping with each passing, we couldn’t resist!!! Margaret went into a collection in Cupertino.

This is ‘Orangie,’ our umpteenth and last 914. She is a 1970 Porsche 914/6 that Theo raced at Laguna Seca and Sears Point. She was sold to a gentleman in Germany.

The Turd on the Chopping Block. Ended up going to Japan.

This is ‘The Turd.’ Theo’s other race car, a 1969 Porsche which started out life as a 912 and ended up with a 250 hp 911 RS spec motor. Don’t ask about the name, but if you know my dad, Stub, you just may know that the essence came from a Stubbyism.

Theo wanted me to add this action shot of him racing the Turd.

Our LOVE CAR, a 1992 Porsche Carrera 2 Targa

This is the ‘Love Car.’ Theo and I bought this car 50/50 after dating for six weeks! Guess we knew we had a future together!!! We joke now about buying the car “When we was in LOVE!!!” We also sold her before the move to Europe, but thankfully our friends in Germany adopted her, so she’s still ‘in the family.’

Hope you enjoyed our car nostalgia. What names have you given to your cars?

 

Today’s Update: It’s hot in France right now, so tonight after yet another dip in the pool, we looked at each other, and said, “This isn’t the 21st, is it?” Oops, our wedding anniversary. Good thing we’re on the same page as far as forgetfulness and not holding anybody’s feet over the fire to remember dates!!! Thought I’d share a photo from our wedding day, with the sun setting over the Pacific just after we said our ‘I Do’s.’

Fourteen short years ago tonight.

This entry was posted in American Expats in France, Buying a Car in France, Expat Blog, Southwest France American Expat Blog, Visiting Dordogne. Bookmark the permalink.

12 Responses to A New Addition to the Family

  1. Bracey Tiede says:

    Love all the sports cars. My sister went through a bunch of Porsche’s, starting with a 914 and ending up with a bright red 911, before opting for a Mercedes coupe so people would stop running into her! Whatever happened by the blue Bronco II that I sold to you in about 2000 for hauling your decor materials? Hope it went to a good home. Enjoying your posts.

    • thecindy@mail.com says:

      Well, we never named the Bronco II. It served us very well for many, many years as our plant service vehicle. It finally started to cost too much to keep on the road, so I sold it to a mechanically-inclined family that had a teenager learning to drive. Almost forgot about that one!!! So many years, so many cars…

  2. Stewart says:

    What! You didn’t get the 602cc upgrade! Geez….you can run nitro methane in that to make up the difference in power…
    You look real happy! I think that is the most fun (new English) car I have ever had, briefly. Kinda like a VW bus where you can’t go fast so you just take it easy and watch the scenery go by….blood pressure regulator and a car. Cool Cindy!

  3. Stewart says:

    What! You didn’t get the 602cc upgrade! Geez….you can run nitro methane in that to make up the difference in power…
    You look real happy! I think that is the most fun car I have ever had, briefly. Kinda like a VW bus where you can’t go fast so you just take it easy and watch the scenery go by….blood pressure regulator and a car. Cool Cindy!

  4. Stewart Smith says:

    What! You didn’t get the 602cc upgrade! Geez….you can run nitro methane in that to make up the difference in power…
    You look real happy! I think that is the most fun car I have ever had, briefly. Kinda like a VW bus where you can’t go fast so you just take it easy and watch the scenery go by….blood pressure regulator and a car. Cool Cindy!

    • thecindy@mail.com says:

      Indeed. She is SO FUN and gets lots of fun feedback from other drivers and pedestrians. Theo drove her once and tried to manhandle her. She didn’t like it. Now he insists on only being a passenger. I have learned to take advantage of going down the hills (like my mother used to say, “What her go when the cable breaks!) to get up the next hill. And that’s only with my fat arse in the car! Ha!

  5. Stewart Smith says:

    Stewart says a lot of the same I guess….oops

  6. Lindy, nyc says:

    Very enjoyable. I’m driving a 1982 Jag in NYC. COPPER colored – some try to call it brown and it’s SO not brown. Gorgeous car. Drives like a boat. Moving to France at some point but not sure if the Jag will make it. I’m leaving that comment in the “if” stage as at this point I don’t care to imagine giving it up. Happy Anniversary.

    • thecindy@mail.com says:

      Thanks for the note, Lindy. Sorry for my tardy reply. There are tons of gorgeous Jags here, so it’s probably easier and cheaper to replace your ‘Copper’ once you move! Used cars a bit pricey in France, but you can always look in bordering countries for great cars at great prices. I’m sure my husband, the car nut, would be more than happy to help you look!!! Keep in touch and thanks for reading! Cindy

  7. Anne Sherwood says:

    Loved this issue of your news!! And your Citroen is just adorable…

    Just thought you’d like to know that a big rental moving truck pulled up across the street from me, and YES, they are moving! Apparently the new property manager raised the rent!!!! Whoopee! Their subletter told me she was leaving too, and she can’t seem to find a rental in Santa Cruz. Housing and traffic are terrible, but the beach is still wonderful and the weather devine…a little fog in the morning and clearing in the afternoons.

    Your nemesis and mine are moving to a house! I was so dumfounded that I forgot to ask where.. We leave for London tomorrow for a cruise around the British Isles so I’d better make this short!! But just had to share my joy at not having to look at that trailer which never went anywhere from my living room window!!
    Love, Anne

    • thecindy@mail.com says:

      Hi Anne,

      Hope you enjoyed your cruise in the Isles. The weather here in France has been all over the place, from scorching hot to clouds and rain. Was thinking of you and wishing you great weather for the trip. But I take Doris every chance I get–she’s really a hoot!

      Such good news about the misfits. Great for the neighborhood! Good riddance! Ah, the trailer…wonder if they’ll try to park it at their new place for the next 30 years???!!!

      Love hearing from you. Planning a trip to the states in maybe October, so will see if you’re around for a short hello.

      Cindy

  8. Adele says:

    Love your Citrogen! Reminds me of when I got my first car, a 1967 Volkswagon Fastback.

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