BLOG CAR HOBBY

SPORTS

2008-06-13T00:39:00.001-07:00

Pitchers dominate in weekend sweep of LSSU

Kraatz throws perfect game, Fulton strikes out 13, hits home run in doubleheader

Following perfection with total dominance is a good formula for victory, and it's one the Cardinals softball team followed this weekend. »

Killmer resigns after four years as women's coach

After four seasons as SVSU's head women's basketball coach, Vonnie Killmer resigned on March 22, citing family reasons.

Athletic Director Mike Watson said a national search for her replacement has already begun. »

Comeback win Saturday leads Cards to a split weekend series in Grand Valley

The Cardinals went into the weekend searching for their first conference win of the season, and found two big ones, splitting their weekend series with Grand Valley. »

European car hobby drives SVSU student

2008-06-13T00:33:00.000-07:00

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!"

Students recruit for new RSO

2008-06-13T00:13:00.000-07:00

Plans are brewing among SVSU students to add a chapter of the College Democrats to the University's roster of special-interest registered student organizations. »

Police Briefs

Purse and laptop missing

University Police have a description of a suspect in two recent breaking-and-entering cases on campus.

The first incident occurred on March 18 in Living Center North. A woman reported her purse missing after briefly leaving her door unlocked. Charges were made on a stolen card. »