Citroën ID 19 Break 1957: French elegance in model car
This model car of the black Citroën ID 19 estate from 1957 represents one of the most iconic models of French automobiles from the 1950s. Reproduced at a scale of 1:24, this collector's item perfectly captures the revolutionary essence of this vehicle, which marked its era with its bold technical innovations.
A true collector's item for French car enthusiasts, this model car bears witness to the golden age of the French automobile industry and the innovative spirit that characterized Citroën in the 1950s.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: ID 19 Estate
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1957
- Scale: 1/24th
- Color: Black
- Protective case included: Yes
The ID 19 Estate: An automotive revolution
Launched in 1957, the Citroën ID 19 estate was the family version of the revolutionary ID 19, itself derived from the legendary DS. This family model retained the technical innovations that had caused a sensation when the DS was presented in 1955, notably hydropneumatic suspension and power steering, technologies that were unprecedented on the automotive market at the time.
The ID 19 estate car was distinguished by its sleek, functional silhouette , offering generous loading space while retaining the characteristic aerodynamics of the DS/ID line. With its 1.9-litre 4-cylinder engine developing 66 horsepower, this estate version allowed French families to access Citroën innovations with slightly simplified equipment compared to the DS, but retaining most of its exceptional road qualities.
This model was a notable commercial success with families and professionals, appealing for its incomparable driving comfort and its loading capacity. It represented a modern alternative to traditional estate cars, perfectly embodying the progressive spirit of the Trente Glorieuses.
Citroën in 1957: Innovation in the service of democratization
In 1957, Citroën was going through a pivotal period in its history. Building on the success of the DS launched two years earlier, the brand with the chevrons was expanding its range to democratize its technical innovations . The ID 19 was part of this strategy, offering the main technological advances of the DS in a more accessible version.
André Citroën founded his brand in 1919 with the ambition of democratizing the automobile, and this philosophy persisted into the 1950s. The creation of the ID 19, and later its estate version, demonstrated this desire to make technical excellence accessible to as many people as possible. This approach allowed Citroën to maintain its technological edge while expanding its customer base.
This period also marked the height of the French automotive industry, with Citroën, Peugeot and Renault competing with each other to innovate in a rapidly expanding market. The ID 19 estate perfectly symbolised this golden age of the French automobile , combining technical audacity and commercial pragmatism.
A star of cinema and literature
The ID 19 estate quickly surpassed its status as a simple family vehicle to become a French cultural icon . In cinema, it accompanied many heroes, particularly in the detective films of the 60s and 70s, where its recognizable silhouette embodied French modernity.
Even more surprisingly, the ID 19 estate inspired several writers of the time. Roland Barthes, in his "Mythologies," already referred to the DS as a "magical object," and this fascination naturally extended to its family version. For many, the ID 19 estate represented the embodiment of social progress : cutting-edge technology accessible to the rising middle classes.
In the 1960s, owning an ID 19 estate car signaled social status while also demonstrating a taste for innovation. It was the car of the engineer, the country doctor, the university professor: intellectual professions who appreciated both its exceptional comfort and its progressive image.
A delightful anecdote tells of an ID 19 estate car owner, surprised by a suspension failure, who managed to temporarily reinflate his vehicle using his bicycle pump! This resourcefulness demonstrated the special attachment this vehicle aroused, to the point that its owners often became true experts in its very special mechanics.
Complete your collection of French model cars
This Citroën ID 19 estate naturally finds its place at the heart of a collection dedicated to French automobiles from the 1950s and 1960s. It interacts perfectly with other iconic models of the era, creating a cohesive ensemble that tells the story of French automotive innovation.
Collectors will appreciate combining it with Citroën DS model cars to illustrate the full range of this technical revolution, or putting it in perspective with other model car estates to highlight its pioneering character. It also fits perfectly into a collection of French model cars , testifying to the creativity of our national manufacturers.
This model car will appeal to both collectors specializing in French automobiles and those passionate about automotive history in general. Its presence in a collection of classic vehicles from 1950 to 1979 brings a valuable technical and cultural dimension, recalling an era when French automobiles shone through their audacity and innovation. For fans of 1/24th scale model cars , it constitutes a reference model due to the finesse of its reproduction and the richness of its history.
