Citroën H Van
Citroën H Van | |
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FF layout | |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Citroën TUB |
Successor | Citroën C25 Citroën C35 |
The Citroën H-Type vans (but mostly Citroën HY), are a series of
The Citroën H-types were developed as simple, low-cost, front-wheel drive vans after World War II, using the same design philosophy as on Citroën's 2CV, but featuring a frameless, unitary body-structure. A total of 473,289 of their variants were produced in 34 years in factories in France and Belgium.
Design
Like the 1934
The distinctive corrugated bodywork used throughout the period of production was inspired by German
Marketing
Most H Vans were sold in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. At the
As with the Volkswagen, the H Van could not be sold in the US as a commercial vehicle after 1964, due to the Chicken tax.[4]
Mechanical
The engine, gearbox and many smaller parts are shared with other
While the derated "Traction Avant" 4-cylinder engine and the unsophisticated 3-speed gearbox (non synchromesh on first gear) offered only a modest top speed of just under 100 km/h, the chassis and suspension layout provided good roadholding qualities for a van of the era, especially on the short wheelbase version: low slung chassis, with very little overhangs, combined with sophisticated totally independent suspensions (the front ones used double torsion bars instead of conventional coil springs). The 1.9 litre engine offered more usable power than the 1.2 litre of its competitor, the 1950 Volkswagen Type 2.[2]
Diesel engines were also available, initially from
Styling changes
The basic design changed very little from 1947 to 1981.
Vehicles left the Citroën factory with only three body styles: the standard enclosed van, a pick-up version, and a stripped-down body which went to non-Citroën coach-builders and formed the basis for the cattle-truck and other variants. The basic version had an overall length of 4.26m, but vehicles were also available in a long wheelbase version with an overall length of 5.24m.[5]
In September 1963 the earlier style rear window - a narrow vertical window with curved corners - was replaced with a square window the same height but wider, 45 cm on each side. The bonnet was modified to give two additional rectangular air intakes at the lower edges, one for a heater, the other a dummy for symmetry.
In early 1964, the split windscreen used since 1947 was replaced with a single windscreen, while in late 1964 the chevrons on the radiator grille, previously narrow aluminum strips similar to those on the Traction Avant, were replaced with the shorter, pointed style of chevrons as used on most Citroën vehicles in the last decades of the twentieth century.
In November 1969 the small parking lights were discontinued, the front indicators were recessed into the wings, and the shape of the rear wings was changed from semi-circular to rectangular.
Rear hinged 'Suicide' cab doors were used until the end of production in 1981, except on vehicles manufactured for the Dutch market where conventionally hinged doors were available from 1968.[6]
Names
Citroën's teams worked on 8 projects and only the last one was developed, giving it its name : "H". Most Type H vans were sold as model HY. Other models include H (early versions), HX (lesser load capacity), HP (flat-bed pick-up), HZ, and HW (greater load capacity). For a time they were also sold as model 1600. When used by the police, it was called "panier à salade" ("salad basket").
Legacy
Vintage H vans are still a common sight in Europe and in cosmopolitan cities around the world, serving as stylish food trucks evoking a retro continental image to the business. Vintage versions are available as non-operating static displays or upgraded with modern engines and power steering.[7]
Italian coachbuilder Fabrizio Caselani of FC Automobili has resurrected the classic design with in honor of the H van's 70th anniversary in 2017, and produces with a body kit based on the modern
References
- ^ a b "CITROËNS HISTORIE: JANUAR 1947 LANCERING AF CITROËN TYPE H". Citroen.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "Citroen H Van History". Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- ISBN 978-1845842444, p.95
- ^ Ikenson, Daniel (June 18, 2003). "Ending the 'Chicken War': The Case for Abolishing the 25 Percent Truck Tariff". The Cato Institute. Archived from the original on September 21, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- ISBN 2-7072-0194-4, p.70
- ISBN 2-7072-0194-4, p.154
- ^ "Citroen Food Truck". Karpatia. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- ^ Dobie, Stephen (3 April 2017). "You can buy a brand new Citroen H Van". Top Gear.
- ^ Glon, Ronan (6 October 2020). "Italian coachbuilder wraps a modern-day Citroën van in a retro skin". autoblog.
External links
Preceded by: Citroën TUB |
Succeeded by: Citroën C25 Citroën C35 |