Citroën ID Break Gendarmerie Tour de France 1964 - An exceptional miniature
This magnificent black Citroën ID estate "Gendarmerie" evokes one of the most emblematic chapters of the 1964 Tour de France cycling race. Reproduced at a scale of 1:43 with remarkable attention to detail, this miniature perfectly captures the spirit of public service and the elegance of French automobiles of the 1960s.
A true collector's item , this piece is aimed at both Citroën car enthusiasts and Tour de France history lovers, recalling a time when the gendarmerie accompanied the Grande Boucle with style and efficiency.
Characteristics of the miniature
- Model: Citroën ID Break
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1964
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Black with Gendarmerie markings
- Protective case included: Yes
The ID Break, innovation at the service of the family
Launched in 1958, the Citroën ID represented a more accessible version of the revolutionary DS, while retaining its key technical innovations. The ID estate, introduced in 1960, met the growing needs of French families seeking space and practicality. With its rear hatch and generous loading capacity, it revolutionized the concept of the family vehicle.
The hydropneumatic suspension, a signature feature of the range, provided exceptional ride comfort , particularly appreciated on long journeys. This cutting-edge technology, combined with power steering and front disc brakes, placed the ID at the pinnacle of European automotive innovation.
Commercial success was immediate, particularly with government agencies that appreciated its robustness and versatility. The French gendarmerie quickly adopted this model for its escort and road safety missions , particularly visible during major sporting events such as the Tour de France.
Citroën, pioneer of the modern automobile
By 1964, Citroën was already a century-old brand with a strong spirit of innovation. Since André Citroën's founding in 1919, the company with the chevrons had established itself as a pioneer of mass-market automobiles with revolutionary models like the Traction Avant in the 1930s.
The year 1955 marked a decisive turning point with the launch of the DS, a true automotive UFO that placed Citroën at the forefront of global innovation. The ID version, launched three years later, democratized this technology while retaining the brand's revolutionary DNA. This strategy allowed Citroën to reach a wider audience while maintaining its image as a visionary manufacturer.
The French company particularly excelled in the development of comfort and safety technologies, positioning its vehicles as benchmarks in technical innovation and avant-garde design.
At the heart of the 1964 Grande Boucle
The 1964 Tour de France will go down in history as the edition of Jacques Anquetil's first victory as the undisputed leader. That year, gendarmerie vehicles, particularly the ID Breaks, played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the race. These elegant black sedans accompanied the peloton on the roads of France, symbols of republican order and French automotive modernity.
The gendarmes driving their ID Breaks were responsible for opening the road, regulating traffic , and ensuring the safety of the riders. Their reassuring presence and imposing appearance made an impression on the spectators gathered on the verges. These vehicles thus became integral players in the legend of the Tour.
The year 1964 was also marked by the rise of television, which for the first time made it possible to follow the stages of the Tour live. Viewers discovered these majestic black Citroëns moving gracefully along the mountain roads, perfectly embodying the alliance between republican tradition and technological modernity.
This collaboration between Citroën and the police during the Tour de France symbolized France's entry into the Trente Glorieuses , a period of economic prosperity when the automobile became accessible to the greatest number of people and profoundly transformed French society.
Complete your miniature collection
This Citroën ID Break Gendarmerie naturally finds its place within a collection dedicated to Tour de France vehicles or Citroën model cars . It harmonizes perfectly with other models of police and gendarmerie vehicles , creating a coherent ensemble representative of the French law enforcement agencies of the 1960s.
Collectors with a passion for French automobiles will particularly appreciate this piece, which is the perfect addition to a series devoted to classic vehicles from 1950 to 1979. Its 1/43 scale, the reference standard, makes it easy to integrate into any existing collection.
This miniature appeals to a wide audience: those nostalgic for the historic Tour de France, fans of Citroën innovation, and collectors of miniature estate cars . It also provides an excellent entry point for discovering the world of 1/43rd scale model cars , the absolute benchmark in terms of faithful and detailed automobile reproduction.
