European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 11, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse A Revoir Deus Cleveaux associated press it was a quiet Adieu to an automotive legend injury when the last citroen Deus Chevaux France s funny looking four wheeled Friend rolled off the factory line after 42 years. In production. In a last indignity to the car associated with France the finale took place in Portugal where citroen moved production after shutting Down its Levallis Assembly line near Paris. There were no Public ceremonies at factory just a Little get together for the workers who have been making them said a citroen Lucitania spokesman Teixeira de Abreu. But citroen fans worldwide will mourn the demise of the Turtle shaped Deus Chevaux named literally for the two horses or horsepower produced by its chugging air cooled engine. It was officially designated the 2cv and came with open Flap Side windows mattress like suspension and scrawny tires. More than 3.86 million were sold since the launch at the 1948 Paris Auto show for $650. Including a Van More comfortable Ami and Dyane versions and even a four wheel drive derivative More than 7 million Deus Chevaux have hit the roads. Thousands of fans have set up about 300 owners clubs worldwide. The car has been in James Bond films and has been flown hanging from a hot air balloon. It has set world Altitude and depth records for a car climbing to 17,180 feet on Bolivia s mount Chacaltana in 1953 and going Down a Salt mine in France s Lorraine Region. Two frenchmen Jacques Seguela and Jean Claude Baudot made an 87,000-mile round the world trip in a 2cv and once substituted crushed bananas for Oil to keep a Gearbox working As it crossed a South american desert. Citroen s i tech a compact will substitute the 2cv at the Mangu Alde Plant. But according to Gavin Green chief editor of Britain s car Magazine no Ciar will replace it there s no successor in sight. It s the end of an these were among the last citroen n 2cvs to Roll off the Assembly line. Production of the French Deus Chevaux was halted after 42 years. He says most owners have an emotional relationship with their 2cv that like the Volkswagen Beetle and the Morris mini has become a motoring legend. It s different but sensible said two time Deus Chevaux owner Green. And for an it s still quite advanced it has direct ignition Independent suspension and inboard brakes. Things that some sports car makers Are still making a song and dance in 1935, citroen Boss Pierre Jules Boulanger asked his designers to dream up a Small Avant Garde car for All classes of Folk that would be like a four wheeled sofa covered by an Boulanger demanded enough headroom for an opera bound gentleman wearing a top hat but also a car supple enough to transport at least two peasants with a Basket of eggs across a ploughed Field without smashing their fragile cargo. All that without using More than about 2.4 Gallons of fuel for 60 Miles. The first wooden mock had one Headlamp a serrated Hood that looked like a cheese Grater. Functional Interior appointments included a Roll Back Canvas roof a hand operated Windshield wiper and Hammock seats. When world War ii broke out in 1939, Boulanger had All but one of the 250 running prototypes destroyed. He hid the survivor in a barn so the invading nazis could t steal the technology. Available Only in Grey at the 1948 Paris launch the Deus Chevaux could manage a top Speed o1 37 Mph sales soon rocketed and in 1950, the waiting list was six years Long. Sales began to Slacken in the mid-1980s the 2cv can no longer meet emission Laws in Switzerland and Austria nor safety regulations in Sweden and Finland. But Green is convinced that life could have begun at 40 for the car that still has a Loyal clientele in France Britain West Germany Belgium and Ireland. � sales Are Only dropping because citroen in t advertising there s no genuine reason to kill the car. I think they re a bit embarrassed by it not fitting their i tech image.". Thes lamp Fries vrf.4ta . Speeds Gulf buildup Pentagon hints Force god bless could reach 250,000 our troops Usa t,."1. Dishing up piano vim amid criticism Gas prices dip bowl Vodd toil the acc pea Page 21 Day can make a word in a world that never takes a Day to rest every Day can make a world of difference. A Day can mean the difference Between a Campaign and a Victory. A budget and a budget Cut. A revolutionary idea and a revolution. The stars and stripes has All the news it takes to keep you on top of the world s events. And a subscription to the stars and stripes can assure you that you la never fall a Day behind. Call one of our circulation offices today listing on Page 11 for your subscription to the stars and suites. Or write to the slams an j Suppes attn sales promotion ap009211 the stars and stripes we can make a world of difference in your life. Every Day. Saturday August 11, 1990 the stars and stripes Pago 17
