Canning Stock Route

[Andrew Johnston]

Hi all

I’m a UK based ex-2CV owner (back in the 80’s) and am looking to do the CSR in 2025. I have a potential donor car here in the UK which i’m planning to do work on in order for it to cope with the rigours of the CSR.

I do have one BIG concern….with the payload…Street spec seems to suggest that the payload is 350kg which ain’t gonna cut it with two large blokes in the front, along with adequate fuel and water……

Cursory internet searches seem to suggest that a 2cv completed the CSR in 1991 but had to be towed up many of the dunes…

So, does anyone have any thoughts on a) is the CSR possible in a 2cv?, b) if there are any alterations that can be made in order to properly prepare a 2cv for the CSR?

hope to hear back from some of you!

Cheers

Andrew

[uschi]

Hi Andrew,

You are right, there was someone who drove the CSR in a 2CV in 1992. Let me tell you a bit about it.

The guy is a very gifted 2CV mechanic who designed and built a number of unusual and very interesting custom 2CVs. The one he shipped to Australia was a self made 4×4 pick up with a 2nd engine in the back. It had no doors, no roof, just a wind shield, 2 seats and a flat bed in the back with a hard cover over the engine. He carried a tiny tent, a sleeping bag, a very small duffle bag for his belongings and a tool kit.

He was on Raid 1992 with his girl friend but afterwards he went onto the CSR all alone. He had already done desert crossings alone on a motorbike, just to show you his mind set.

Part of the CSR is fine even for a normal 2CV but at the sandy sections he had to unload everything including the passenger seat and carry it up the dunes on his back just to make it uphill even with 2 engines running and deflated 145 x 15 tires. It took much longer than expected and the car needed a lot more fuel than expected, so  he had to beg people who drove the track in big 4-wheel-drives for food, water and fuel for the car – and for a few uphill tows. He was lucky not to have a serious break down and make it out in one piece.

If your car is on a “Carnet de Passage” you can not even just leave it in the desert and safe your own life – customs will cash the bond from you if the car does not leave the continent. And Australia is a big island, you cannot even claim you drove across a border somewhere!

We drove a small part of the CSR with Raid 2008. We went from Carnegie Station to Well 3 and from there south. That southern end was easy and fun for a group of 2CVs. If you really want to continue north from there better make sure to have a friend with a big 4×4 to carry your fuel, water, tools, spare parts and belongings and a tow rope to get you through safely.

Why not join a Raid? There is safety – and fun – in numbers!

If you want to test drive your car before shipping it half around the globe, do a trip to Iceland! This is the only place we found in Europe that is as rugged as the Australian Outback.

Cheers,

Uschi

 

 

 

[Andrew Johnston]

Hi Uschi

yes, I was aware of the ingenious ‘Safari 2CV’ with a separate engine driving the back axle.
your email sort of confirms what I feared, that it simply won’t make it, which is very sad. I guess we’ll have to revert to a series Land Rover!
your suggestion of joining a Raid sounds great but I have my heart set on the CSR and then going on to the Gibb River  road

i spent two years (1980-1982) living and working in Queensland/NT and wanted to do the CSR back then.
In any event, thank you for your reply!!

cheers

Andrew

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