Four nights ago I was in Minneapolis, MN. Three nights ago I was was in Murdo, SD. Two nights ago I was at home in Fort Collins, CO. Yesterday (Sunday) my daughter and I left the house at 6am and three hours later found ourselves in a snow storm atop Vail Pass on I-70 westbound. By 6pm we had pulled up to our hotel in Las Vegas and were then sweltering in 95 degree heat as we took the bags out of the trunk. And tonight we will be in Santa Monica, CA. However, while I was surprised by the snow storm two days into summer I was even more surprised at what I saw as we pulled into the parking garage in Las Vegas…
Yes, that is a pristine Citroen 2CV Fourgonette much like the last one I saw in Ireland a few years back. I caught this out of the corner of my eye as I was looking for a parking spot and just immediately pulled over, put the hazards on and hopped out with my phone while my daughter was in the car flabbergasted at what was happening. I don’t think I can envision a car that I would have expected even less to see here.
That appears to be a current series French license plate, the matching one is on the front. Obviously someone brought the car over here, either pre-restored or did the work themselves afterward, but why it would be in a hotel parking garage in Las Vegas is beyond me. I can’t think of many vehicles I’d less like to drive to Las Vegas via the various desert freeways with high speed limits that surround it (although I would love to drive one of these in general, don’t get me wrong, just not in 95 degree heat with 80-90mph traffic all around me). But I’m glad someone apparently did, although perhaps on some of the other less speedy and not nearly as heavily used highway options.
I’ve seen pictures of a couple of others without the engine side panels but am not sure if that was normal or not for some years. Or is that merely for better engine ventilation/cooling? The paintwork was well done in a great (and very appropriate) shade of gray.
Sadly my interior pictures did not come out at all, but it was as immaculate as the exterior. Sandwiched between a Mitsubishi and a Ford the little 2CV is the only one that seemed to have enough space in the tiny parking spots, but it looked a little lonely all tucked in for the evening around a bunch of brash rental cars. Still, it was packing enough personality to fill the whole floor up all by itself. It certainly brightened my mood after a long day on the road, at least enough to share this right after we got into the room. Vive le 2CV!
As we know, these look like a sloth trying to escape from a Quonset hut. 🙂
Fun to look at, but not a vehicle I’d wish to drive in Vegas. Or in a snowstorm on I-70
Safe travels!
As an owner I can tell you from first hand experience that these cars are surprisingly capable in snowy conditions and with the 2CV6 engine (top speed around 120 km/h) they can still be used in modern traffic, as the average speed -even on our congested freeways- is usually less than that. They are great little cars.
You are right.
I never would have imagined seeing this.
Perhaps it is something for the “Paris” casino?
Can you imagine how hot it would be to drive around Las Vegas in that?
I wouldn’t take it outside during the day.
”Can you imagine how hot it would be to drive around Las Vegas in that?
I wouldn’t take it outside during the day.”
Like many things in Las Vegas, they only come out at night.
First, thanks for the photo of the pass. I was thinking of taking a job on the west side of it, this reinforced my decision not to.
I love how Citroens show up in odd places and stand out when they do. I found myself thinking of Clouseau pretending to be a phone repairman, something even further removed from Vegas beyond Blake Edwards likely spending time there. This would make a fine limo antidote on the Strip, for people who want to be noticed.
Looks like you’ll be in fog and drizzle in Santa Monica today. Weather in the far west varies a lot, as you have seen. Mountain snow in June is something I have experienced, riding a motorcycle. Vive la différence.
“but why it would be in a hotel parking garage in Las Vegas is beyond me”
Because it was too hot to park it outside, silly. 🙂 Clearly, someone was delivering fresh snails for the hotel buffet.
Quite a find, though I don’t think it beat’s Jason Shafer’s catch of a Tatra in Nashville traffic. But could anything? I have seen only one of these in my life, and it was in a lower Michigan car show. It would indeed be cool to see one out in the wild.
Your road trip started off a bit wild. Late June snow; wow.
Have a great trip and see you here in Eugene on Thursday. Looking forward to it.
Will Stopford just left here this morning headed south.
Great find Jim. I could definitely see this 2CV being used as a prop as part of the floor space in a larger bakery/cafe or a market/deli. In a bright colour perhaps, with the rear doors opened, and baskets of fruit, wrapped baked goods, etc., just inside for purchase.
It was quite common to see them without the side panels on hot days, at least around here…and Uruguay is much, much cooler than Las Vegas. The car itself would be from the middle 70’s to mid 80’s if it were made in Argentina. French models were updated earlier, so it can be older.
Quelle surprise!
Some time ago I did a dimensional comparison between a Crosley and a modern subcompact (2008-10ish Toyota Yaris hatchback). They’re in the same ballpark in length and height but dramatically different in width and wheelbase.
Length(OAL) WB Width Height Weight
Yaris 149 96.9 66.7 59.8 2293 lb
Crosley (’46) 145 80 49 59 1155 lb
Dimensions are in inches and from Wikipedia which was unclear which Crosley body style length and weight were taken from.
Edit; It seems I put this in response to the wrong article, please delete it!
Thanks for passing through, Jim. Did you leave us some money at the craps table?