The Motor Forum

D. · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject: 4x4's

There have been a few odd 4x4's over the years.

Doing a search (or should that be doing a google?) I was reacquainted with some that I first came across during holidays in France that I used to take as a child.

The name Dangel always amused me as this is what my younger sister used to call me when she was very young.

Based in Alsace and started by Henry Dangel, they have been making 4x4 conversions of Peugeots and Citroens since 1980. Most of them with some serious off-road ability due to greatly improved ground clearance.

Before the 505 was the 504 this, I believe, was the first of the Dangel 4x4's:

Dangel had a massive involvement in rallying too:

504 pick-up and estate 4x4 conversions were especially popular for the French Navy and Marines.
They were mainly on general sale in African markets which was very important for Peugeot and in need of the 4x4 transmissions.

The front and rear axles had Peugeot limited slip differentials, with a Dangel transfer case mounted in the transmission tunnel, but independent of the main prop-shaft.

The Dangel transfer case allows for 4 road gears and 4 additional cross-country gears which can be made on the move.

There were two engines in the 504. A 2.0 litre petrol developing 96bhp And a 2.3 litre diesel producing 70bhp.

The Citroens that Dangel produced are less well known. There were 4x4 conversions of the C15 and J5 vans and the Visa.

Though the bulk of their current work appears to be 4x4 conversions of the Berlingo along with various Citroen and Peugoet vans.

Another odd 4x4 is the 2CV Sahara:

This seemingly extraordinary piece of niche marketing actually had two engines. One in the front and one in the rear.

694 of these cars were built between 1958 and 1966, although it is believed that only 27 exist today.

The Sahara has 2 engines of 425cc with 13 breaking horse power . The rear of the car is a mirror image of the front. Citroen used the front axle, engine mountings and front suspension arms. The double clutches work by hydraulics, and not by a normal cable operation, so they can work together using just one pedal. The suspension is also beefed up to cope with rough terrain by using independent oscillating arms based on the Citroen Ami.

On the dashboard is two ignitions and two starter buttons. That’s because the engines are independent of each other, they need to be started separately, so it's the left key for the front and the right key for the rear. The car has also 2 fuel tanks. One for the rear engine and one for the front. They are located under the front seats and their filling neck can be seen on the front doors.

The gearstick is floor mounted (instead of standard's dash-mounted stick) with the gearbox tunnel running from back to front in the interior. To join the two gearboxes together, you push a small lever situated on the right hand side of the gearbox tunnel, and as it pushes out of neutral, the car suddenly becomes all-wheel drive. Brilliant? Er....maybe!

It was even taken rallying:

Today, a Sahara is worth up to £20,000.

Colin · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject:

Interesting.......... great piece of research, Dan!

The German 4 x 4s might be interesting to look into, too..... VW Iltis, that funny Golf 2 that looked like it was on stilts that sold quite well in Alpine countries, and I know what else there was.........

M. · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:19 pm Post subject:

The 505 was such a good looking car. Nice post, Dan.
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