Bluesy's Ride ...

[capnjuan]

A couple of days ago, Pascal was over to demo some vintage tubes in his late '70 twin 6V6 Deluxe Reverb. It's still fitted with its original Fender-branded GE 'coin-base' 6V6s ... a tube that is not necessarily covered in tone glory:

On the menu were late '40s/early '50s RCA military grade black-plate, gray smoked-glass 6V6GTs (the boxes are stamped US Army Signal Corps [I guess they wanted good tone in their field radios :wink: ]) v. early '50s Bendix Red Bank NJ 5992s... a tube used in Korean War-era aircraft radios:

After some rip-roaring but not especially scientific 'inquiry', the RCAs were a little brighter, punchier in the bass, and well-balance up and down. By contrast, the 5992s are for folks who like red meat; a darker, smokier tone with more timbre; also a little less volume v. the same amp setting; both with plenty of 6V6 crunch which is the signature of the type. For any acousticals who might be peeking in, something like maple's strident, ringing quality v. rosewood's deeper, chewier, arguably somewhat more musical tone.

Anyway, Pascal came by on Tuesday in his daily driver sport ute but today, he came by his vintage sport ute ... the Pascalmobile: a '70s Citroen 'Deux Chevaux' sport ute ... that's him indicating his tube choice:

For more reading on these remarkable vehicles: Click Here.
For pics of the Deux Chevaux in all its glory: Click Here.

 

[bluesypicky]

A pleasure as always John, thanks again for everything!

 

[killdeer43]

Brings back memories of a rocking/rolling ride through the Swiss Alps in one of these in 1964.

It was a noisy ride, but fun.
I also had occasion to ride in one of the big Citroens like DeGaulle rode in....extreme comfort in that one and quite the contrast! :wink:

Nice ride, Pascal.

JOe

 

[mad dog]

The ugly duckling. One of the coolest vehicles ever made. Makes me miss another one, the early 70s Saab 96. Probably dropped off by fun-loving aliens at the same time they delivered magnatone suitcase amps.

MD

 

[dapmdave]

Sounds like a great time.

I'm also in need of a similar tubular exploration in my Deluxe. But I've been afraid to touch it, since it sounds so good as it sits. (Once it's warmed up and the funny little noises go away :? ) So I do appreciate this info...

Thanks for the post, gentlemen.

Dave

 

[twocorgis]

Cool tubes, and cool car! 8)

Growing up, my parent's best friends had a Citroen DS just like this one

With the way cool single spoke steering wheel

And the seats!

The seats were so comfy, you literally sank into them. They took them out of the car when they scrapped it, and put them down in their basement rec room.

There's a car line I wish they still sold in the states. How do you fare getting parts for your 2CV, Bluesy?

 

[bluesypicky]

Yes Joe, it's noisy. That thing is basically a bunch of pressed sheet metal slapped around a motorcycle type motor, air cooled flat twin.
And you're right, Citroen had a line up that ranged from the cheapest, most basic concept (see pic :lol: ) to the most sophisticated one with a few that have been designated Presidential vehicles through the 60's and 70's with the "DS" and the Maserati powered "SM" (which is probably the one you mention).
The 2 CV as MD points out is known as "the ugly duck" in the US, mainly because..... that's what it looks like compared to a same year Cadillac! :lol:
Sandy, I took many trips in the DS (including one to England where we were regularly going during my early band days to get them guitars and Marshall amps much cheaper than at home) and it is to this day, the most comfortable ride I've ever been in. Awesome car.

Dave, I'm very lucky to A- Live near John and B- Being able to benefit from his generosity. These vintage RCA's are somewhat the "Holy Grail" of tubes to many, and when you hear them, you understand why. They actually brought my silverface very very close to your black face in terms of clarity and definition in both ends of the spectrum, bass and treble. Very grateful to John for offering me a pair of these! :wink:

 

[davismanLV]

Great post.... love the Citroens!! I remember the first one I saw as a kid, like the picture that Sandy posted. I was drawn to that car like a magnet!! Then I looked inside and saw that single spoke steering wheel..... OH MAN!! I was hooked. Been a fan ever since. Lots of great reading about these unique cars. Barrett-Jackson is currently going on at Mandalay Bay Resort (where I work) and they've got so many awesome cars.... but nothing like this. Fun to look though!

Scroll through these pics on the website, you're bound to find something that catches your fancy. http://www.barrett-jackson.com/events/lasvegas/

 

[bluesypicky]

How do you fare getting parts for your 2CV, Bluesy?

Sorry Sandy, I missed your question the first time around...
For parts, I have a brother and a couple of friends (one being a car mechanic with his own garage) on the other side of the pound, so no problem having them send me "gifts" when I need some.... :wink:
I return the favor by shipping them parts for the vehicles they shipped over there from the US (Dodge ram, Mustangs... )

 

[twocorgis]

Great post.... love the Citroens!! I remember the first one I saw as a kid, like the picture that Sandy posted. I was drawn to that car like a magnet!! Then I looked inside and saw that single spoke steering wheel..... OH MAN!! I was hooked. Been a fan ever since. Lots of great reading about these unique cars. Barrett-Jackson is currently going on at Mandalay Bay Resort (where I work) and they've got so many awesome cars.... but nothing like this. Fun to look though!

Scroll through these pics on the website, you're bound to find something that catches your fancy. http://www.barrett-jackson.com/events/lasvegas/

I've been watching Tom. I'd love to get a resto-mod Camaro like my old '68, only with a crate motor and modern underpinnings. There was a sweet one on the last Mecum auction that hammered for almost $100K :shock:

IMO, guitars are probably the only thing that are cooler than cars.

 

[twocorgis]

How do you fare getting parts for your 2CV, Bluesy?

Sorry Sandy, I missed your question the first time around...
For parts, I have a brother and a couple of friends (one being a car mechanic with his own garage) on the other side of the pound, so no problem having them send me "gifts" when I need some.... :wink:
I return the favor by shipping them parts for the vehicles they shipped over there from the US (Dodge ram, Mustangs... )

Sound like an old friend that had a mid '60s E-Type Jaguar. He worked for Pan Am, and then Delta when they absorbed Pan Am. He used to fly over to the UK to get parts for it, and saved a bundle in the process. Luckily, it was the same small Lucas electrical parts that failed (over and over), so it was easy to fit in his baggage. :lol:

 

[davismanLV]

I've been watching Tom. I'd love to get a resto-mod Camaro like my old '68, only with a crate motor and modern underpinnings. There was a sweet one on the last Mecum auction that hammered for almost $100K :shock:

IMO, guitars are probably the only thing that are cooler than cars.

Absolutely agree!! I was watching the speed chanel at work yesterday at the bar (when I was neglecting my actual job) which had live coverage of the Barrett-Jackson auction going on in the Event Center. There were two JUICY Camero's of that vintage that were amazingly droolworthy. Both went for UNDER 30K!!

Might as well get two, huh?

 

[twocorgis]

I've been watching Tom. I'd love to get a resto-mod Camaro like my old '68, only with a crate motor and modern underpinnings. There was a sweet one on the last Mecum auction that hammered for almost $100K :shock:

IMO, guitars are probably the only thing that are cooler than cars.

Absolutely agree!! I was watching the speed chanel at work yesterday at the bar (when I was neglecting my actual job) which had live coverage of the Barrett-Jackson auction going on in the Event Center. There were two JUICY Camero's of that vintage that were amazingly droolworthy. Both went for UNDER 30K!!

Might as well get two, huh?

Problem is, I wouldn't want the original mechanicals. Old cars, as cool as they are, are just that; old cars. Car & Driver did a comparo a few years ago of vintage muscle cars, and compared them to modern vehicles. A '68 small block Camaro a lot like the one I used to own got spanked at the track by a Honda Odyssey. :shock:

Shows you haw far modern cars have come. I like all the safety built into the new cars as well.

 

[davismanLV]

Still agreeing with you.....

 

[dapmdave]

C'est une Fourgonnettes, oui?

Dave

 

[bluesypicky]

C'est une Fourgonnettes, oui? Dave

Well done Dave! :lol: AKA "The truckette" here in the States.

 

[Thunderface]

I, for one, would liketo see a few more shots of the Pascalmobile.

 

[ladytexan]

Pascal,

Glad you and CJ had a bit of time together doing some really kewl stuff ( 8) ) Little things.......ah, yep.

All I can say about your fun little old(er) car is - it, certainly, is French blue, oui? Is it a take-off on the VW Bus? I see the camper extension on the back (did you buy it here or ship it over?). As a foreign (PC = non-USA) vintage car enthusiast, my leaning is towards TR6s/Spitfires, 911s, and XK-Es. Vroooommmm!

 

[bluesypicky]

All I can say about your fun little old(er) car is - it, certainly, is French blue, oui? Is it a take-off on the VW Bus?

Hi Toni!
I guess you can call it French blue... at least what's left of it. :roll:
No, the VW bus is an entirely different animal, the only thing in common was the air cooled engine, but the bus had 4 cylinders, these rich snobs! :lol: my car only has two. :shock: The engine concept is very similar to that of the older BMW motorcycle, you know, with the 2 cylinders stickin' out on each side of the bike?
BTW my wife still refuses to call this a car, to this day she refers to it as "the blue thing". :lol: :lol:
I can't blame you for favoring a 911, I'd much rather have one of those, but can't.

TF: I'll see what I can do with more pics.... and maybe a shot of the power plant, which might make y'all power hungry car enthusiasts faint. :shock: :shock:

 

[twocorgis]

TF: I'll see what I can do with more pics.... and maybe a shot of the power plant, which might make y'all power hungry car enthusiasts faint. :shock: :shock:

Calling it a "power" plant might be a bit of a reach, no? :lol:

After all, doesn't "deux chevaux" mean "two horse (power)" in French?