Preserving & Protecting a 1987 Citroën 2CV from Rust & Corrosion

Sep 12, 2025

In this episode of Driveway Icons, we turn our attention to one of the most beloved and characterful classics ever made — the 1987 Citroën 2CV. A true icon of minimalist motoring, the 2CV is celebrated for its simplicity, quirky engineering, and timeless charm.

We meet Gary Silver, a classic car enthusiast with a growing collection of historic vehicles. No stranger to Lanoguard, Gary has already protected one of his other classics with our rustproofing solution — and now, it’s time to give his 2CV the same treatment.

A French Classic with Loads of Character

The Citroën 2CV was designed to be a practical, affordable car for post-war France — but over the decades, it evolved into a cultural icon. With its soft suspension, lightweight frame, and charming looks, the 2CV became a favourite among classic car lovers around the world.

Gary’s 1987 model captures everything people adore about the 2CV — from the roll-back roof to the functional simplicity of its engineering. As he and the Lanoguard founder look over the car inside and out, they reminisce about what made this quirky little Citroën so special during the late 80s.

Whether he's attending local shows or just enjoying a weekend drive, Gary makes sure the 2CV continues to be seen and celebrated — just as it should be.

Protecting the Underside with Lanoguard

Like many older classics, the 2CV is vulnerable to rust — especially due to its simple, exposed underbody construction. To keep this gem going strong, Gary applies Lanoguard Underbody Protection to key areas that need the most attention.

✅ Chassis frame and suspension arms
✅ Floor pans and sills
✅ Inner arches and seam joints

Lanoguard’s spray-on rust protection bonds to the surface, repels moisture, and doesn’t crack, flake, or trap dirt. It’s a perfect fit for classics like the 2CV — especially for owners who love to drive their cars and show them off.

Protect What You Love — Your Way

Whether you're maintaining a quirky French runabout or a high-performance classic, Lanoguard helps keep rust at bay with a simple, mess-free application. Trusted by enthusiasts across the UK.

Special thanks to Gary Silver for sharing his time, his car, and his love of all things classic.

Video Transcript:

0:00
Hi, it's Mark from Lanoguard here again, and welcome to another episode of Driveway Icons.

0:04
This morning I have Gary here.

0:06
Hi, Gary.

0:07
Morning.

0:08
We're here with his Citroën 2CV Dolly, which is a wonderful example of one. We're going to get in, find out all about it, why he owns it, and the story behind it.

Inside the 2CV

0:27
So Gary, we're inside your 2CV Dolly.

0:31
I suppose the big question that I would start with is… why?

0:37
Gary: Why not?

0:40
Mark: Why did you buy this car?

0:42
Gary: Well, I've always fancied one, and all the people I know who’ve had one have said they're brilliant.

0:50
Mark: The dashboard is so simple. What is it… it’s not designed for aesthetics, is it?

0:56
Gary: Not a lot. But I mean, the famous thing is the gear shift.

1:01
Mark: Can we see that? Can you demonstrate it?

1:05
Gary: Well, it’s just really… yeah. Reverse is down there, but it's a straight rod connection to the gearbox at the front, which you'll see when we open the bonnet.

You’ve also got, I think affectionately known as the deckchair version.

1:21
Mark: Yeah, it opens, doesn’t it?

1:23
Gary: Yeah, you can open it partially or all the way back.

1:26
So it's very convertible.

1:30
The doors literally lift off, and the seats—you can take the seats out in about half a minute.

1:36
So if you go for a picnic, you don't have to take picnic chairs—just take them out.

1:40
Apparently, that was a designed feature. Farmers used to take them to the fields.

1:47
Mark: So yeah, fantastic thing inside—if a little bit cramped.

1:50
Gary: We’re not exactly the smallest of chaps!

1:55
Mark: So under the bonnet—an evolution from 9 horsepower to 18 horsepower, and now this delightful 29 horsepower, 602cc.

2:05
Gary: Yes—602. The “2” being all-important.

2:07
Mark: I can imagine that in today's money it’s the 1.8 or 2-litre equivalent!

Shape

Under the Bonnet

2:13
Mark: Shall we get out, lift the bonnet, and maybe even pop the roof?

2:19
Gary: No problem.

2:25
Mark: Right then. OK, Gary, we’re here under the—well, not quite under the bonnet. It’s difficult to get under it—it’s quite a bit lower than you'd think.

2:33
But the bonnet comes up nice and high, and I love the interesting prop. I like the fact that you can sort of get to everything.

2:47
So, the 2CV—as we were saying earlier about the actual name—definitely two cylinders.

2:55
I know that much. They are flat, horizontally opposed, so firing sideways.

3:02
The gear linkage is very simple—straight through to the gearbox.

3:07
So in fact, that’s pushing what looks like a normal gear lever in another car, where your gearbox would usually be protruding between the two front seats.

3:21
And because this is front-wheel drive, they’ve just literally put an extension rod right on it.

3:27
Gary: I love it.

3:28
Mark: I’ve never actually been—I don’t think I’ve ever been—under the bonnet of one of these. And certainly not underneath one either.

3:34
So it's a real novelty to me.

Shape

Exterior Features

3:38
OK, Gary, so we’ve been under the bonnet. It's really interesting—even if some of it stumped me!

3:44
But the exterior is worth talking about, because there are just so many features you don't see on other cars—especially the shape.

3:56
Gary: You've got all the quirky things, like the windows.

4:00
They’re not roll-down windows—they basically just have a little clip. Push it out, and up it goes.

4:08
Mark: Wonderful. No aerodynamic concern there—not fast enough to worry.

4:12
Gary: No!

4:13
Another thing I like is the door locks. Not quite sure how they work, but you do that to lock the door...

4:20
…and then that just—oh, you think you've broken it, but no—brilliant.

4:24
The roof rolls right back. You unclip it here and roll it back.

4:28
There are a couple of straps inside—undo the strap and there's a little clip.

4:36
Same on the other side. You can poke the whole roof off and roll it all the way back.

4:47
Mark: Look at that—convertible!

Shape

Rear & Boot

4:52
So, Gary, I particularly like the boot—especially the names and stickers on the back.

4:56
Gary: Most of them are hinged here, but this one's a bit unusual.

5:03
I think they called it the Commerciale or something like that. It actually opens all the way up from here.

5:09
You've just got this latch here… and done!

Shape

Underneath the 2CV

5:15
We’ve looked around the outside and under the bonnet—so I think we should lift her up and have a look underneath the 2CV. Let’s get her up on the ramp.

5:41
Mark: So first impressions—what’s your first thought?

5:44
Gary: It’s clean, it’s solid, not rusty. I’m surprised—90,000 miles—I kind of expected it to be a bit more rust-holey.

5:54
But it doesn’t go out in the rain, so that helps.

6:00
Maybe it never did!

6:04
Mark: It’s got lots of quirks that make it different from a run-of-the-mill car.

6:10
Certainly different from anything I’ve worked on in the last 40 years.

6:14
Even the driveshafts are really angled—because they kind of have to be.

6:25
The wishbone is really just one piece—not usually that fat. But it only weighs 500kg—it doesn’t need all that complex engineering.

6:34
Gary: Nope.

6:38
Mark: And this chassis—we think it might be a galvanised replacement.

6:42
Gary: I think it is, yeah. It looks galvanised and in very good nick. Very simple ladder-frame chassis.

6:51
Mark: This lovely skid pan—ground effect!

6:54
It’s like a biscuit tin!

7:03
How much are the tyres?

7:04
Gary: No idea. Bicycle wheels—I’ve never replaced them.

7:09
Probably £40–£60 each?

7:11
Mark: Something like that. Lovely, anyway.

Shape

Lanoguard Application

7:14
Everything is basic—and I like that a lot.

7:28
So 1987—this car was born. I was about 11 then.

7:35
Mark: What were you doing in 1987?

7:37
Gary: Driving a Porsche 911 Turbo—I was a yuppie!
I had my own estate agency business back then.

7:50
Mark: 911 Turbo—did it have the whale tail?

7:52
Gary: Yes, and the old Motorola 8000 brick phone!

7:59
Mark: Fantastic. I had one too—though not until about 1993.

8:03
Put it on the pub table and—boom!

8:06
Gary: I got mine in 1984—one of the very first.

Shape

Wrapping Up

8:18
OK, Gary. We’ve had a good look around the car, under the car, and now it’s time for some Lanoguard.

8:25
I’ve been handed the task—so I’ll have a go, and we’ll give it to you as well.

8:30
Gary: It’s so open underneath, so just be mindful of where you spray. It doesn’t matter too much, but avoid the tyres. It’s good on CV boots—helps preserve them.