The insight on a Citroen 2CV from a passionate collector in Argentina
Topic: Rally Classic Car Tour
The insight on a Citroen 2CV passionate collector by Flor Rodriguez and Bob Frassinetti
Ruben lives in the Western province of Mendoza at the bottom of the Andes Mountains; just 20 km away from Mendoza Capital city. He lives in a small town that looks pretty much like the French countryside. Ruben is a family man who has a strong and interesting passion, his Citroen 2CV.
We know for a fact that Citroen and more precisely its 2CV models were milestones in Argentina's auto history, in projection with the role these vehicles have played around the world.
Ruben's story is just one of the many passionate stories we have found regarding the strong impact 2CV's have had on Argentines. We chatted with him this morning to know a bit more about his personal story with 2CVs, what they mean to him and a bit more.
Citroen 2CV Argentina
Ruben bought his 2CV 10 years ago in Mendoza. He bought it from a man who had it for over 20 years and kept the vehicle in superb conditions. His Citroen 2cv was made back in 1964 in Argentina. It has a 14 hp, 425 cc engine with centrifugal engage clutch, Michelin pneumatics, original tapestry, users' manual, radiator tent as well as the original fabric roof top in blue. The model was known as the 2CV de luxe due to some sophisticated details such as the third window, chromed hubs and bumpers as well as side and front moldings.
He also has some of what we call the collectors treats: original purchase invoice from 1964.
Ruben tells us he has always been passionate about the brand, that he has
had 2CVs since he had the possibility of earning his own money.
When we asked what the single most important thing was, he pointed out that
the first thing that caught his eye was Citroen's history, the way it
evolved since the 30s onwards. He recovers the anecdotes we reproduced in
our article, since it was amazing the way the vehicle was first received as
an unappealing car for the countryside and then it became a world trademark.
Ruben is the first one in his family to have a Citroen, but he's sure he won't
be the last one, especially because he has passed on his passion for 2CV's
to his youngest son, Facundo.
When Citroen returned to Argentina during the 90s they opened an agency in
Mendoza, and for the opening days Ruben contacted them directly offering
them his own original 2CV to showcase on the opening day. However, the
company representatives told him that they were trying to detach from the
2CV image, working on a transition into slimmer lines and modern vehicles.
Ruben was overwhelmed and upset. He inquires why on earth a firm that has
developed such a trademark vehicle would disregard its history! He does not
share the new winds blowing under Citroen wings'.
While there are frequent Citroen rallies, the only one he participated of
was the 2004 Mendoza Citroen Reunion. Citroen fans from around the globe
came to Argentina, mainly from the South American region, because the
shipping costs to transfer back and forth a vehicle are indeed high. However
he recalls upon a German collector who had a 2 engine Sahara model, who
traveled half around the planet to take part of the show.
Our conversation went on and on, talking about the ins and outs of 2CVs and
their history in Argentina. And at one point of the conversation, he tells
us that he had written an ode, a poem to his own vehicle. Ruben was kind
enough to share it with us, and we transcript it as follows. the Ode is in
Spanish, and we have put our best effort to translate it without loosing its
intrinsic music.
Por la francesa llanura
Through the French countryside
Se ve la corva figura We
see its curveted figure
de un 2CV avanzar It's
that of the 2CV
Su rumoroso motor With
its roaming motor
2 cilindros bien opuestos 2
cylinders facing eachother
Una lona como techo Fabric
roof
y doble piso el baúl and a
double floor on the trunck
Levanto mi vista, y veo I lift
my eyes and see
En un cielo muy azul A very
blue sky
Su exquisita y rica historia As I
recall its
Que viene a mi memoria exquisite
and rich history
y se las paso a contar Which
I decide to share now
Se gestó a fines del 30 It was
conceived during the 30s
Vio la luz en los 40
Created during the 40s
Se expandió en los 50 It
expanded during the 50s
Fue hippie en los 60 Turned
hippie in the 60s
Intelectual en los 70
Intellectual during the 70s
Ciudadano del mundo en los 80 World's
citizen by the 80s
Y cuando dejó de salir en los 90 al principio, And when it was off
production, during
the early 90s,
Su fama ya era un mito Its
world fame turned it into a myth
por toda la humanidad for all
humanity
A la que supo entregar To
which it provided
con su techito entreabierto With its
briefly opened roof
aunque sea por un momento even only
for a little while
el viento de la libertad the
winds of freedom
Por la francesa llanura
Through the French countryside
Se ve la corva figura We
see its curveted figure
de un 2cv avanzar It's
that of the 2CV
As soon as he finishes his recital, he says: "As I said the words, I feel I'm
a crazy lover of the Modern creations, just like Cervantes did with
cavalry".
No extra words are needed to portray this man's affection and passion for
his own car, its history and historical cultural meaning. A passion that
finds its way through poetry to reach other collector's hearts.
For more information on our Car Rally Tours or just visiting Buenos Aires and if you are interested in buying Art or Antiques, and you are thinking of travelling to Argentina please feel free to email us…….. Please feel free to contact Flor Rodriquez by emailing her: Email: Flor Rodriguez. or Bob Frassinetti: For more information: Email: Bob Frassinetti. Press here to see all topics on Art, Antiques and Travel Information for Buenos Aires & Argentina:Daily Updates on Art, Antiques, Collectibles as well as travel information for Buenos Aires, Argentina. Phone me thru Skype, ID: Bob Frassinetti or you can also chat with me thru Yahoo, press here:
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Art & Antique Dealer Bob Frassinetti
Posted by bob frassinetti
at 3:45 PM
Updated: Friday, 10 November 2006 4:37 PM
