European car hobby drives SVSU student

Many people have a hobby and, with Ben Boyle, it just happens to involve unique European cars.

Boyle, a secondary education English senior, has always been interested in cars. At first, he bought old Volkswagen Beetles, but he decided they weren't "out there" enough.

At 15 years old, Boyle found a car that was more his style - the Citroen 2CV, which he describes as similar to a French Volkswagen, except a little "funkier." 2CV is a French abbreviation of "deux chevaux," or two horses.

Boyle now drives a 1986 Citroen 2CV that was made in France. He had it shipped from Germany to fix up for his own personal use. Boyle replaced the frame with a stronger one that was built in England and he rebuilt the motor. The engine, at two cylinders, is half the size of a Harley Davidson.

The car can cruise at 70 miles per hour, provided there is no wind and no hills; however, he said, "If you walk, you're still faster than my 2CV."

Boyle does not do the bodywork for his cars, but the car holds some unique features on its own: the doors are thinner than the average textbook and are not wide enough to hold the windows; instead, they are slit in the middle and flip up.

"The thing is just bizarre and I really like it," he said.

The car's suspension was designed so that two farmers could travel through a field with a basket full of eggs and not break any.

"One of the most fascinating things about them is that the world record for highest altitude ever run was from a 2CV," Boyle said.

The models have stayed nearly the same throughout the years and seem to survive through a lot. The main disadvantage the car has is that it's susceptible to rusting quickly and the frame needs replacing often.

There are not many Citroens in the United States because they were never sold here. Boyle is part of a Citroen group in Ann Arbor where they meet up twice a year to look at the new models and talk about finding parts, fixing the cars, and socializing. Their Web site is citroenistsofannarbor.com.

"I wish it was more grand than that, but at least it helps to remind me that I'm not the only one in Michigan with a Citroen!"