Stretching the facts
A Shropshire car fanatic from St Martins has transformed one of Citroen's most iconic cars into a stretch limousine - to make space for his large family.
A Shropshire car fanatic has transformed one of Citroen's most iconic cars into a stretch limousine - to make space for his large family.
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Anthony Willsmer, of Garden Village, St Martins, said that every time his entire family headed for a day out, they were forced to take two of his three 2CVs in order to accommodate them all.
After half-heartedly suggesting to his friend and engineer Peter Williams that it would be good to use one of them to build a stretch limo, the idea was soon put into practice.
"It has taken about 12 months on and off to complete," said Mr Willsmer, owner of Evans and Willsmer Painter and Decorators.
"The Citroen 2CV was my first car when I was 17 so I have had them ever since.
"I have also been a member of the national Citroen 2CV club for years and regularly meet with the other members at displays."
But Mr Willsmer said he has only seen one other Citroen 2CV limousine at a show.
"Apparently there are only eight Citroen 2CV limos in the UK.
"If that is true, mine will be the ninth," he said.
And after selling two of his 2CVs, Mr Willsmer said the pair then got to work on the limo.
He said: "I took my last 2CV to Peter's and we cut it in half, which was quite sad to see.
"We then added parts from a scrapped 2CV to fit in the middle and put a new engine in and generally strengthened up all the suspension. The limo also has a new chassis, chrome bumpers and alloy wheels."
Mr Willsmer added: "I couldn't have done this without Peter's help - he has done a great job.
"It's cost about £2,000 to build and it's certainly worth every penny."
He said that now the whole family can go out in the one car, which has three rows of seats enough for six people.
He and his wife Jane have five children. He said: "Not all of them come out with us now but we still take the limo out on special occasions and to shows.
"It's not a car to be used as a runaround - we have another car for that.
"I saw a limo Citroen 2CV on eBay going for about £2,000 but that wasn't in as good a condition as mine although I wouldn't sell it.
"This is a car for keeps and I have no plans to sell it, just to enjoy it and take it to shows.
"I have already taken it to shows in Oxford and Brighton and am looking forward to others.
"It's funny how people stop and have a look when I go past almost like they think it's a celebrity inside - I should put the tinted windows in too now," Mr Willsmer said.
