An iconic piece of French automotive design
This Citroën ID19 break in blue with off-white roof and roof rack represents one of the most sought-after versions of the legendary DS/ID range. This miniature captures the elegance and practicality of this revolutionary family estate that defined the 1960s. A true collector's piece, it showcases French innovation in the automotive industry and has a natural place in any collection dedicated to French miniature cars.
The model faithfully reproduces the authenticity of the original vehicle, with its characteristic flowing lines and its distinctive two-tone livery. The roof rack, a practical essential for families of the era, is accurately recreated, evoking the spirit of the great summer holiday departures of the Trente Glorieuses (the postwar boom years).
Miniature specifications
- Model: Citroën ID19 break
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1958-1975
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Blue with off-white roof
- Features: Roof rack
- Protective case included: Yes (plexiglass, used condition)
The ID19 break: innovation meets practicality
Launched in 1958, the ID19 break was the family-oriented version of Citroën's revolutionary DS/ID range. This estate version met the growing needs of French families looking for space and comfort, while retaining the technical innovations that built the brand's reputation. The ID19 break stood out for its exceptional cargo capacity and flexible interior layout.
Technically, the ID19 shared with the DS its revolutionary hydropneumatic suspension, power steering and front disc brakes. Combined with a spacious estate body, these innovations made it a vehicle without equal on the European market. Its design, by Flaminio Bertoni, kept all the elegance of the saloon while harmoniously accommodating the demands of an estate body.
The ID19 break was an immediate commercial success, particularly appealing to professionals and affluent families. Its exceptional versatility made it equally suited to long-distance travel or professional use, helping to democratize the avant-garde image of the DS/ID range for a broader audience.
Citroën in the 1960s: technological boldness
When the ID19 break was launched, Citroën was going through a period of intense technological innovation. Under the leadership of André Citroën and then Pierre Boulanger, the French marque had built a reputation for technical daring that culminated in the DS/ID range. This avant-garde philosophy, which began in the 1930s with the Traction Avant, reached its maturity in the 1960s.
The company, then headed by Pierre Bercot, relied on technical differentiation to stand out from the competition. Though costly, this strategy allowed Citroën to offer vehicles unlike any others in the world, concentrated bundles of innovation that would only become mainstream decades later. The ID19 break embodied this philosophy perfectly, combining technical revolution with family pragmatism.
This prosperous period for Citroën was also marked by a remarkable international expansion, with the brand exporting its innovations to Europe, Africa and even South America, helping to build the image of French technical excellence abroad.
The ID19 break and the paid-holiday era
The ID19 break is inseparable from the paid-holiday era and the democratization of family holidays in France. In the 1960s, this vehicle symbolized the upward mobility of the French middle class, which could now afford family holidays in modern comfort. Its exceptional cargo capacity could carry the luggage of the whole family, while its roof rack held skis, bicycles or extra bags.
Many French families discovered the Route des Vacances at the wheel of their ID19 break, unwittingly becoming part of French social history. These cars were a common sight on the roads leading to the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, forming colourful convoys that marked the automotive landscape of the time.
One particularly memorable episode involved the 1971 Paris-Persepolis rally, in which several ID19 breaks took part in this extraordinary adventure. These family cars, modified for the occasion, proved their sturdiness and reliability on the most demanding tracks, helping to build the legend of the DS/ID range's resilience.
More recently, the ID19 break has become a nostalgic symbol of the 1960s and 1970s, regularly featured in films and TV series evoking that era. Its distinctive silhouette instantly conjures up the carefree spirit of the Trente Glorieuses and the technological optimism of this golden age of French motoring.
Complete your French miniature collection
This Citroën ID19 break miniature naturally fits at the heart of a collection dedicated to exceptional French automobiles. It pairs well with other iconic models such as the Citroën DS saloon or the various versions of the Traction Avant, forming a coherent set that represents the creative genius of the brand with the double chevron.
Collectors passionate about miniature estates will especially appreciate this model, which illustrates the evolution of this body style toward greater sophistication and elegance. It sits harmoniously alongside other French miniature cars from the same era, creating a complete picture of French automotive innovation.
This miniature appeals to both experienced collectors and enthusiasts of French motoring who want a tangible reminder of this revolutionary era. It is an ideal addition to a themed collection devoted to the 1960s or to classic cars from 1950-1979, a period when the French automotive industry reached new heights of innovation and creativity.
