Photograph referenced ELV 724 — under the bonnet of a hydrostatic 2 CV, 7 February 1964

In this document

The black and white photograph shows the engine compartment of a vehicle, presumably a 2 CV, bonnet open, seen from the front p. 6.

One can distinguish a central engine block surrounded by numerous flexible hoses, electrical cables, as well as a finned cylinder (probably a cooling element or a cylinder) p. 6.

In the centre appears a light-coloured rounded bell or dome; on the left a spherical metal reservoir; on the right a canister or cylindrical reservoir with metal hoops p. 6. Various mechanical components — levers, connecting rods, springs, hydraulic fittings — are distributed throughout the compartment p. 6. The edges of the engine compartment show traces of black soundproofing p. 6.

A handwritten inscription appears at the bottom right of the snapshot, on the light-coloured cross-member of the vehicle: "ELV 724 - 7-2-64" p. 6. This annotation confirms the vehicle reference (ELV 724) and the date the photo was taken, 7 February 1964.

Context

The 2 CV is an iconic Citroën model, known for its mechanical simplicity. In the 1960s, the brand conducted various experimental tests on this vehicle, notably regarding new transmission and suspension systems, a field in which Paul Magès distinguished himself with the development of hydropneumatic suspension.

The hydrostatic transmission, mentioned in the initial description of the archive, refers to a method of power transmission via the circulation of fluid under pressure rather than through conventional mechanical components (gearbox, clutch) — a research path explored by several manufacturers at that time to simplify driving.

Archivist's perspective

This photograph very likely documents a technical test conducted on an experimental vehicle, identified by its ELV 724 plate and precisely dated to 7 February 1964 p. 6. The multiplicity of flexible hoses and reservoirs visible in the engine compartment suggests that it is indeed a prototype assembly linked to a hydraulic transmission, consistent with the research conducted in Paul Magès' circle on fluidic technologies applied to the automobile.

This snapshot belongs to a series of shots documenting several similar test vehicles. It can usefully be compared to the photograph referenced EJV 640 and the photograph referenced ELV 640, both dated the same day, which likely show variants or other examples of the same test programme.