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On the road with the Citroën 5 CV - test drive in the 'cloverleaf' 50 years ago

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Created on December 1, 1965

Text:

Richard von Frankenberg

Photos:

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Archiv

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Citroën 5 CV (1922) - presented apart

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Citroën 5 CV (1922) - on the road in a veteran 50 years ago

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Citroën 5 CV (1922) - the roof is minimal weather protection, nothing more

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Citroën 5 CV (1922) - even heavy trucks overtake the 5 CV in 1965

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Citroën 5 CV (1922) - Spartan interior

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Citroën 5 CV (1925) - as a convertible

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Citroën 5 CV (1924) - on the road in the eighties

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Citroën (1930) - cut-open engine at the motor show

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Citroën (1925) - in front of the factory

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Citroën 10 CV (1932) - vehicle of the upper class

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Summary

The Citroën 5 CV, also known as the Type C or tréfle, was built from 1922 to 1928. In 1965, Richard von Frankenberg had the opportunity to test drive one of these torpedoes. He published his experiences in a whimsical article in the magazine 'hobby'. In addition to the car, what is particularly interesting is how von Frankenberg describes the then 43-year-old car and people's reaction to it. This report reproduces the original wording and shows the Citroën 5 CV in some historical illustrations.

This article contains the following chapters

Leisurely
Before the joy, the effort
Without windshield wipers
Coolant temperature in the field of vision
Intermediate throttle with centered accelerator pedal
Only two braked wheels
A bit of luggage space
Early city car
Five tax horsepower
Sensation at the gas station

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

It is just as old as I am: it was built in 1922 and, it must be said, it is still in very good condition. It spent most of its automotive life in Switzerland before I discovered it there. This Citroën 5 CV is actually a car without any special technical features, a normal small car. Nevertheless, it is a famous car that made history. In two respects: this 5 CV was the first small car on the continent to usher in 'popular motorization' thanks to a large series, because it had an affordable price. The car that took on a similar role in Germany two years later, Opel's famous 'Laubfrosch', was a faithful replica of this Citroën 5 CV.

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