A rare piece of French automotive history
This model car of the 1958 Citroën HW Van Heuliez dedicated to horse transport represents an exceptional vehicle in French automotive history. Reproduced at a scale of 1:24, this collector's item captures the essence of a specialized utility vehicle that marked its era with its ingenuity and functionality. More than just a scale model, this Citroën model car is an authentic testament to French expertise in specialized coachbuilding.
This faithful reproduction is aimed at French car enthusiasts and collectors seeking unusual models steeped in history. The Citroën HW Van Heuliez perfectly embodies the art of French coachbuilding in the 1950s, a prosperous period when technical innovation met the specialized needs of various trades.
Characteristics of the model car
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Model: Citroën HW Van Heuliez horse transport
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1958
- Scale: 1/24th
- Bodybuilder: Heuliez
- Protective case included: Yes
The original model: an exceptional utility vehicle
The 1958 Citroën HW Van represented the culmination of Citroën's utility vehicle range at the time. Based on the proven mechanics of the Type H, this vehicle benefited from a lengthened chassis and a bodywork specially designed by Heuliez to meet the demands of horse transport. This collaboration between Citroën and the Cerizay-based coachbuilder resulted in a unique vehicle, combining the legendary robustness of Citroën's mechanics with the artisanal expertise of Heuliez.
The technical characteristics of the HW Van made it a vehicle particularly suited to specific needs: air suspension to ensure optimal comfort for the animals being transported, ventilated and lit compartments, and an access ramp to facilitate boarding. The 1.9-liter 4-cylinder engine developed sufficient power to tow this heavy load while maintaining reasonable fuel consumption.
This model enjoyed critical acclaim among professionals in the equestrian world, particularly national stud farms and racehorse owners. Its limited production makes it one of the most sought-after Citroën utility vehicles among collectors today, a symbol of an era when French automobiles excelled in diversity and specialization.
Citroën and Heuliez: a historic collaboration
The chevron brand had maintained privileged relationships with French coachbuilders since the 1920s, and Heuliez was among its most loyal partners. Founded in 1925 by Henri Heuliez, this Vendée-based company quickly established itself as a leader in custom coachbuilding and specialty vehicles. The collaboration with Citroën on the HW Van project was part of this tradition of French craftsmanship excellence.
This period marked Citroën's golden age under the leadership of Pierre Boulanger and later Pierre-Jules Bercot. The brand multiplied technical innovations while developing an extensive range of utility vehicles adapted to the specific needs of the time. The partnership with Heuliez allowed Citroën to offer tailor-made solutions without having to invest in dedicated production equipment.
This collaborative approach perfectly illustrated the French automotive spirit of the 1950s: an industry where major manufacturers and artisan coachbuilders coexisted harmoniously, each bringing their expertise to create unique vehicles that met the most specialized expectations of the market.
A story of equestrian passion
The history of the Citroën HW Van Heuliez horse transporter is inseparable from that of the development of horse riding in France in the 1950s. At that time, the country was experiencing a real revival of equestrian passion, driven by French Olympic successes and the emergence of modern equestrian sport.
The vehicle was notably adopted by the French National Stud Farms , which used it to transport their finest stallions to competitions and presentations. An anecdote relates that one example was specially adapted to transport Furioso, the famous breeding stallion of the Haras du Pin, nicknamed the "Versailles of the horse". This vehicle had an air-conditioned compartment and a reinforced shock-absorbing system to ensure the optimal comfort of this prestigious resident.
Even more surprisingly, some models were exported to South America, particularly Argentina, where they equipped the estancias of the pampas. These vehicles, adapted to the difficult conditions of South American roads, helped to forge the international reputation of French coachbuilding. Their legendary robustness made them faithful companions of modern gauchos.
Production of the HW Van horse transporter ended in 1962, a victim of changing attitudes and the arrival of new, lighter materials. Today, the rare surviving examples are jealously guarded by passionate collectors, witnesses to an era when French automotive craftsmanship excelled in creating unique and functional vehicles.
Complete your collection of French model cars
This model car of the Citroën HW Van Heuliez naturally finds its place within a collection dedicated to French commercial vehicles or exceptional Citroën creations. It harmonizes perfectly with other models in the Citroën range, in particular reproductions of the legendary Type H or civilian versions of the HW.
Collectors passionate about the history of French coachbuilding will appreciate combining it with the creations of other renowned coachbuilders, creating a comprehensive panorama of French artisanal excellence. This piece also makes an excellent addition to thematic collections on light commercial vehicles or commercial vehicles from the 1950s and 1960s.
Beyond mere collectors, this model car will appeal to horse riding and French rural history enthusiasts. It bears witness to a time when every profession and every passion had specially designed vehicles, reflecting a French society that was still largely artisanal. Its place in a collection of French cars or vehicles from the 1950s will remind enthusiasts of the ingenuity and diversity of the French automotive industry of yesteryear.
