HISTORY OF THE 2CV
THE 2CV BREAKS THE HEIGHT-RECORD FOR CARS
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| Two young explorers Jacues Cornet and Henri Lochon dared to drive a 2CV from Canada to Fireland. At two-third of their journey, while passing the Bolivian plateau, they decide to try to break the height-record for cars. They are already at an altitude of 4.000 metres, where the lack of oxigen makes moving difficult and causes disturbances in the combustion of the engine. But who cares, they're young and long for the impossible. They will try to attack with their brave 2CV the giant Chacaltaya, a mountain with an altitude of 5.420 metres. Direct from the start the slope rises sharply. On this track of soil and loose rocks the 2CV proves its courage, whilst pulling up the two passengers and their luggage. Slowly they proceed up across heavy slopes and soon they look upon the surrounding mountains. The 2CV advances slower and slower and Lochon has to get out to reduce the load: Jacques Cornet proceeds alone. But this is not yet enough, now the air has become very thin, the car breathes as difficult as its driver. Then Cornet throws all luggage peace by peace on the road to loose weight. Lochon, who is following the car by foot, doesn't have enough power to pick them up, they will find them on the way back. Soon the mountain top is in sight and while Cornet shouts of joy, the top is reached. The mountain is controlled. An altitude of 5.420 metres: the 2CV is the highest car in the world. The date was November 1st, 1953, the time 11:05 in the morning. |
