SOMUA Model cars - Collection & Models in Stock
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Discover the Miniatures JournalSOMUA Model car Collection
Welcome to the fascinating world of SOMUA Model cars , a collection that pays tribute to one of the most iconic French manufacturers of the 20th century. These faithful reproductions capture the very essence of this brand that has marked the history of French automobiles, particularly in the field of utility and military vehicles.
Your Specialist Models Reseller
As a passionate reseller, I offer you a carefully chosen selection of SOMUA Models that represent the models currently available in stock. This collection evolves regularly according to arrivals and opportunities in the collectible Models market.
The majority of these reproductions are offered in 1/43 scale , a format favored by collectors for its excellent compromise between detail and storage space. You will also discover some remarkable pieces in 1/24 and 1/18 scales , offering an exceptional level of detail for lovers of beautiful mechanics. For model railway enthusiasts, some models in HO 1/87 scale complete this selection.
Each model presented corresponds exactly to what is available in stock , generally limited to one or two copies per reference. This approach guarantees the authenticity of the offer and avoids disappointments linked to prolonged stock shortages.
Discover the SOMUA Universe in Model
This collection invites you to explore the various facets of SOMUA production. You'll find primarily utility vehicles and heavy goods vehicles that have made the brand's reputation, including the famous trucks and coaches that crisscrossed French roads since the 1930s.
SOMUA military vehicles occupy a special place in this collection, reflecting the brand's significant contribution to the war effort and the equipment of the French armed forces. These models demonstrate SOMUA's technical expertise in designing robust and reliable vehicles.
Some pieces also represent SOMUA public service vehicles , used by the fire department, the post office, and other government agencies, illustrating the essential role this brand plays in everyday French life. You can also discover some exceptional heavy goods vehicles that harmoniously complement this range.
The Remarkable History of SOMUA
The Société d'Outillage Mécanique et d'Usinage d'Artillerie, better known by its acronym SOMUA , was founded in 1914 in Saint-Ouen. Initially specializing in armaments, the company quickly diversified into automobiles and became one of the major players in French industry.
In the 1930s, SOMUA distinguished itself through its technical innovations, notably with its revolutionary tanks like the S35, considered one of the best armored vehicles of its time. At the same time, the brand developed a range of civilian vehicles, particularly buses and trucks that were widely used in French fleets.
The post-war period marked a period of reconstruction during which SOMUA played a crucial role in modernizing the French vehicle fleet. SOMUA's Parisian buses became a familiar sight in the capital, while the brand's trucks played an active role in the national economic recovery. This rich history finds a particular echo in Model military vehicles .
A Brand at the Heart of French History
A striking anecdote perfectly illustrates the importance of SOMUA in French history: during the Liberation of Paris in August 1944, several requisitioned SOMUA vehicles participated in the fighting alongside the Resistance forces. These trucks, diverted from their civilian use, became symbols of the reconquest of freedom.
Later, in the 1950s, the RATP's famous SOMUA platform buses revolutionized Parisian transport. Their distinctive lines and legendary reliability made them urban icons, immortalized in numerous films and photographs of the time. This cultural dimension is reflected today in some particularly sought-after Model public service vehicles .
The SOMUA brand also embodies French technical excellence from the interwar period, a period when French industry rivaled the best in the world. This reputation for innovation and quality is evident in every detail of the Models that perpetuate this legacy.
Complete Your SOMUA Model Collection
SOMUA Models hold a special place in the world of French collectors. They represent an often overlooked but essential facet of our automotive heritage, complementing the more high-profile prestige brands. For the discerning collector, owning SOMUA models demonstrates a deep understanding of French industrial history.
These Models blend perfectly with other vintage vehicles, including Berliet vehicles and Willème trucks , to create a true panorama of French transport. They also fit in alongside UNIC Models to illustrate the diversity of manufacturers specializing in utility vehicles.
The public passionate about these SOMUA reproductions is mainly composed of mature collectors, often nostalgic for a time when French industry shone through its know-how. These enthusiasts appreciate the historical and technical dimension of these models, which tell a little-known but fascinating page of our industrial history. Younger collectors, meanwhile, discover an authentic brand, far removed from contemporary mass production.
The Original Gift Idea
Giving a SOMUA Model car is a particularly thoughtful gift for a car or history enthusiast. Whether for a birthday, Father's Day, or the holiday season, these models pleasantly surprise with their originality and authenticity.
A SOMUA model also makes an excellent gift for a military vehicle enthusiast or someone interested in 20th-century French history. These Models tell stories, evoke memories, and spark curiosity, creating moments of exchange and sharing around our industrial heritage. They are the ideal addition to a collection that includes vintage cars or period French vehicles .
Characteristics of Our SOMUA Models
- Each Model comes with its display base and original protective box.
- Made from a metal alloy guaranteeing excellent durability over time
- Faithful and detailed reproduction of the original vehicle, respecting the proportions and aesthetic characteristics
- Careful packaging and optimal protection during shipping to guarantee reception in perfect condition
- Precision painted finishes reproducing period colours and markings
- Moving parts depending on the model (doors, hood, steering wheels)
These SOMUA Model cars perpetuate the memory of a brand that helped shape the French industrial landscape. Each model is a tangible testament to an era when French engineering excelled in all areas of transportation, from city buses to tanks and delivery trucks. Discovering or rediscovering SOMUA through these Models is like diving into an authentic chapter of our automotive and industrial history.
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Discover the little-known history of this French brand that left its mark on the 20th century automotive and military industries.
Did You Know? Anecdotes and Curiosities about our Miniatures
What does the acronym SOMUA mean and what was the specialty of this French brand?
SOMUA stands for Société d'Outillage Mécanique et d'Usinage d'Artillerie (Society of Mechanical Tooling and Artillery Machining). Founded in 1914, this French company specialized in the manufacture of utility vehicles, military trucks, and buses. It is particularly known for its robust trucks used by the French army and its iconic Parisian buses of the 1950s and 1960s.
What was the most emblematic SOMUA model in Parisian public transport?
The SOMUA S53 was the brand's most iconic Parisian bus. Produced between 1950 and 1968, this vehicle, with its distinctive design, rounded front end and Art Deco lines, marked the Parisian urban landscape for nearly 20 years. It was recognizable by its green and cream livery typical of the RATP of the time.
Why are SOMUA vehicles so sought after by model car collectors?
SOMUA vehicles are highly prized because they represent an important part of French industrial history. Their production ceased in the 1960s after the acquisition by Saviem, making these models nostalgic. SOMUA model cars evoke the era of the Trente Glorieuses and the development of French urban transport, making them pieces full of history and emotion.
What particular technical innovation characterized SOMUA military trucks?
SOMUA military trucks were renowned for their all-wheel drive and exceptional robustness. The S35 model, in particular, used during World War II, had a front-rear wheel drive system that was particularly effective on all terrains. This advanced technology for the time made them highly reliable vehicles for military missions and the transport of heavy equipment.
What is special about SOMUA model cars in terms of reproduction scales?
SOMUA model cars are mainly reproduced in 1:43 and 1:50 scales, particularly suitable for utility vehicles and buses. The 1:87 (HO) scale is also popular for railway dioramas depicting the 1950s and 1960s. Manufacturers such as Eligor, IXO, and Hachette have produced many faithful versions, including Parisian buses with their authentic period details.



















































































































