GRANT
1959 CITROEN 2CV PO ‘CELESTE’
In 1959, Celeste’s original owner placed a special order for a PO edition of the 2CV. He was intending to take it to North Africa (Algeria).
The PO was unique. Designed for more rugged terrain with the front and rear axles strengthened and better protected; an ‘oil bath’ air filter, and an enlarged tubular steel front bumper (which is similar to the Safari bumpers).
The ‘PO’ refers to ‘POussiere’ (dust) or ‘Pays Outre-mer’ (overseas) and they were sold in very limited numbers for export only.
NIGHT BOAT TO ALGIERS
The car never made it to Africa, and ended up in the hands of Madame Suzanne Pichon from Bazarnes, about 200km South West of Paris, who drove it until 1981 when it was parked in a barn and left.
MADAME’S MOTOR
FROM A BARN ON A FARM
In late 2017 Celeste was discovered in the barn and a “hidden” restoration began. The work included sandblasting and resealing of the chassis; replacement of the rusted out floor and firewall; a complete new braking system and new exhaust. Given that the bodywork was in pretty good condition, with only some surface rust, it was decided not to restore it but to preserve the worn patina. More than 40 hours of waxing and polishing went in to ensuring the weathered look character remained.
‘PAYS OUTRE-MER’ FOR REAL THIS TIME
We had been living in Paris for a few years and Celeste had always been the star attraction when driving the streets. But it was time for me to head back home to Melbourne. So we arranged a shipping container (for 2 cars) and the shipping company managed the customs clearance.
Three months after dropping her off in Le Havre in France she was delivered to our place in Melbourne.
GETTING HER AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP
Since she had recently passed a Controle Technique in France getting the RWC was a breeze. I only had to replace the (new) seat belts with ones that had an Australian Standards stamp and the windscreen. New plates were put on but hidden underneath the club plates are the original registration plates from when she was first road registered in 1959. They get revealed each time she is on display.
IF YOU PLAY TRACKS YOU BETTER PLAY ‘EM LOUD.
A very noisy flat twin motor means that listening to music on the road is hard. All you are hearing is that engine. If I was wearing my noise cancelling headphones then I would probably have the following on my playlist:
‘Spanish Steps’ Van Morrison (Poetic Champions Compose)
‘Wide open road’ The Triffids
‘Stranded’ Flight Facilities
‘Under the milky way’ The Church
‘Europa’ Santana (Moonflower)
DRIVING AROUND THE WORLD
I’ve done a lot of roads around the globe but if I had to pick my best 3, I’d highly recommend these:
From Edinburgh through to the Isle of Sky, via an overnights stay in a castle in Kilchoan on the West coast, lots of B roads and a couple of ferry trips from Corran and Mallaig.
Along the Seine from Pont de Sully past Musée d’Orsay and Invalides to the Eiffel Tower, across the river and looping around to Trocadero, across to Arc de Triomphe, around the roundabout and down Avenue des Champs Elysées, through Pace de la Concorde, past the Louvre and back to the beginning. All in Celeste, of course.
Closer to home, it used to be either the Black Spur (Healesville to Marysville) or the Great Ocean Road, but they are a little too busy (and patrolled) now. My new favourite is from Skenes Creek, up over the hills through to Forrest (for some great food), on to Birregurra (more great food at Brae) and then back home to Barwon Heads.
MOTO AMORO
I remember back to when I picked her up and took her home she had so much character and history, a personality. She just had to have a name.
Celeste seemed appropriate.
Celeste makes me smile when I am driving her. And the smiles are contagious as they get passed on to everyone we pass. That’s something I love.
