Solved - NEH 1498: citroen TPV prototype built for testing Michelin tyres - 1934

[Carnut]

What's this, from when - for 1 point?

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[richard cuyler]

1934-ish Citroen (TPV pre-prototype) ordered by Pierre Michelin to carry out tyre testing.

[Carnut]

1934-ish Citroen (TPV pre-prototype) ordered by Pierre Michelin to carry out tyre testing.

That's not what I understand it to be.
But you're on to something with the Citroen bit..

[Carnut]

Experts?

[Jean-Marie H]

In 1935, Citroën is bought by Michelin
It is the first prototype ever of the 2CV Citroen the most ancient known this day. It was used before war at Plants Michelin of Clermont-Ferrand to test tyres.
Date from 1936

[Siata1]

Citroen T.P.V. (Toute Petite Voiture) with watercooled engine

[Carnut]

I'll have to look a bit further into this!
You all seem to be posting the same answer so in that case Richard Cuyler would be right and he'll get the point as he was first.
I have it as being slilghtly later but as usual with the 'Net the info I have is probably wrong...

[Carnut]

I've found that story on the 'Net now.
But most sites quote this car as something a bit different and a bit later.
Can a 2CV expert enlarge on this and give us the correct story?  Djetset?

[wingroad]

As far as I am aware it is a TPV prototype used for testing the aircooled engine at Michelins Clermont Ferrand test track during the 2nd World War

[richard cuyler]

Being a Citroenista, I looked on the Citroenet site, where I have found most information to be correct and verifyable.

[Carnut]

Being a Citroenista, I looked on the Citroenet site, where I have found most information to be correct and verifyable.

OK, I'll accept that then.
Most sites say it is the earliest 2CV prototype from around 1940/41 and looks like that because it was during WW2 and needed to look utilitarian and militaristic to be allowed to progress!  As usual with the 'Net there's lots of misinformation to be found!

Here's a colour pic:

[qwaszx]

The car is on exhibition in the Rochetaille Museum. It has cast magnesium alloy wheel arms and ridiculously complicated gears to link to the torsion spring bars. It has a 2 cyl water cooled engine, typically for the prototype era of the 2cv. It was used as a trolley on the Michelin plant –I remember to have read somewhere.

[sixtee5cuda]

Is "PTV" in the title a typo?  The correct spelling seems to be TPV.

It does seem to be the first 2CV prototype, built even before the first one with 4 doors.