Luxury Automotive Collection Overview

cazalea · 2025-09-10T21:45:03Z

Explore cazalea's decades-long journey with his iconic Citroën 2CV, from a cross-Canada adventure to a movie star, and its eventual return. A true collector's tale.

cazalea

WPS member · Automotive forum

16 replies2301 views18 photos

Cazalea's original post offers a deeply personal journey through the life of a cherished Citroën 2CV, a vehicle that transcends mere transportation to become a repository of memories, friendships, and family milestones. This article delves into the unique narrative of a car that has been a constant companion through decades, illustrating how an automobile can weave itself into the fabric of a life. Cazalea's reflections highlight the enduring emotional connection collectors often form with their prized possessions, making this a compelling read for anyone who understands the sentimental value beyond market price.

I first saw it here, in Canada, and I deduced that A Vendre in the rear window meant For Sale. A group of crazy Frenchmen from Lyon were driving from Montreal to Vancouver, in 1986.

The owners had bought this car new intending someday to take it to Canada and drive across with their daughters. You know how those French guys are -- always itching for a "Raid"

We made a deal on the spot. They continued on their journey, I flew home to San Diego, and I went back to work while my wife went to visit my family near Seattle.

Soon the French guys got to the West Coast and this picture is from the day it was delivered to my mother's house in Kirkland. My wife drove it down to San Jose, I flew up, and we drove it home together.

This was her daily driver to school when she taught at a college nearby, and in addition it's been almost everywhere on the West Coast, from the bay to the desert.

Even out to Area 51 (no aliens seen)

and deep into Baja.

The car starred in Killer Tomatoes Attack France; Angela Visser Miss Universe sat in here with me, I helped her relearn to drive a 2CV... while she smiled at me, I just grinned at her beauty and charm.

On a trailer driving skills really don't matter but she had to look authentic, and who was I to object?

We loved our cats and our cars. This is about 25-30 years ago.

At one time I foolishly had custody & maintenance resposibility for 7 2CVs and variants, and in a moment of weakness, I let my Navy Seal pal Gary talk me out of the gray car.

Gary gave it lots of love, a new paint job, and the woody treatment using panels he'd built for a trade show car.

Gary, wearing his Vietnam era Rolex.

We went on a few trips together in whatever cars I had at the time, such as this burgundy/black Charleston.

We talked him into new vanity plates - TREE CV

Sadly Gary died just a few years later, and his nephew Jim inherited the car. Jim and I had already done an epic voyage with Gary's yacht up to Seattle, and another trip to Alaska, so we were pals.

The time wasn't right for Jim to take possession (Job, moving), so he sold it back to me for a pittance with an agreement to get it back later at the same price... and now 10 years have passed, I'm older and Jim's retired.

He drove down from Washington for our 50th anniversary celebration, and we made the swap today.

If you see this rig heading back up Interstate 5 to Whidbey Island, give it a wave.

Sadly,

Cazalea

I kept this sign for now, because when a spouse dies, the partner doesn't clean out the closet too quickly...

Key Points from the Discussion

The author recounts an astonishing coincidence: seeing his own Citroën 2CV featured in the film 'Killer Tomatoes Eat France' while traveling in Hong Kong in 1992, highlighting the car's unexpected celebrity.
The 2CV, originally born in Belgium in 1964, was acquired from a salvage yard in 1970 for £12.50 with a broken chassis and initially served as a garden shed before being meticulously restored and converted from Left-Hand Drive to Right-Hand Drive due to the availability of donor parts in the UK.
A fellow collector suggests that the car's repeated return to cazalea's life might signify a deeper, almost fated connection, akin to the Patek Philippe philosophy of stewardship for future generations.
The author shares a current image of another 2CV, noting its continued presence in his collection, albeit with some signs of age and rust, underscoring his long-term dedication to these vehicles.

The Discussion

cazalea

Sep 10, 2025

but this one is still here for awhile, albeit a bit rustier than shown

kesharoo

Sep 11, 2025

Wish you many more years enjoying.

KMII

Sep 11, 2025

Somehow I am sure the car will make another appearance in your life - 3 after all is a lucky number in some cultures. Maybe you’re approaching the CV in a Patekian spirit of taking care of it for successive next generation 😊👍🏻👏🏻

VinnieD

Sep 11, 2025

I can imagine it stirs some emotions to see it go

cazalea

Sep 11, 2025

Way back in 1992 or so I was sent to China by my company. Not too many westerners in the regions we visited, and very few cars... anyway traveling over there I was spending the night in a Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. The bellhop guy took me up to my room, put my bags down, showed me the various features of the room and switched on the television to an English-speaking channel. There, to my amazement, A FILM was playing, Killer Tomatoes Eat France, and my car was driving across the screen in a c

cazalea

Sep 11, 2025

Born in 1964 in Belgium, it was brought to a salvage yard in about 1970 with a broken chassis. My friend Chris was working at the cash register and gave £12.50 for it. He took the body home and used it as a garden shed. It was LHD originally and when Chris decided to restore the heap of parts he could only find RHD donor cars in the UK so he switched the drive to the right side, using this cab section. You can see the precision workshop environment. This is in Coventry, UK about 1992. To be cont

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