A model car legend of endurance racing
This model car of the blue Citroën Rosalie des Records number 4 from 1933 takes us back to the golden age of French motoring and the endurance challenges that marked history. This faithful reproduction captures the essence of an exceptional vehicle that wrote some of the finest pages of French motorsport in the 1930s.
A true collector's item , this model car is aimed at automotive history enthusiasts and collectors keen to preserve the memory of Citroën's technical achievements. It bears witness to a time when French manufacturers vied with each other to demonstrate the reliability and performance of their creations.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: Rosalie des records number 4
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1933
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Blue
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Protective case included: Yes
The Citroën Rosalie, symbol of French robustness
The Citroën Rosalie was launched in 1932 as the successor to the famous C4. This family saloon was distinguished by its robust construction and reliable engine, characteristics that made it an ideal candidate for endurance record attempts. The "record" version was a version specially prepared for long-distance events.
Powered by a modest but consistent 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, the Rosalie made up for in exceptional reliability what it lacked in pure performance. Its aerodynamic body for the time and independent front suspension were major assets for maintaining high speeds over very long distances.
The Rosalie's commercial success was notable, with more than 150,000 units produced up to 1938. It helped establish Citroën's reputation for reliability with the general public, paving the way for future innovations from the chevron brand.
Citroën in the 1930s
In the early 1930s, Citroën was going through a pivotal period in its history. André Citroën, the visionary founder, multiplied technical innovations and advertising stunts to establish his brand in the face of European competition. The brand's strategy was based on demonstration through exploits , using record attempts as a technological showcase.
This era marked the height of Citroën creativity, with bold advertising campaigns and vehicles that pushed the technical boundaries of their time. The chevron brand had already distinguished itself with the legendary Citroën cruises in Africa and Asia, demonstrating the robustness of its vehicles in extreme conditions. Unfortunately, these considerable investments in innovation and communication would lead André Citroën to bankruptcy in 1934, shortly after the exploits of this record-breaking Rosalie.
The feat of Montlhéry: when the Rosalie defies time
In 1933, at the famous Montlhéry autodrome, three specially prepared Citroën Rosalie cars embarked on a crazy challenge: to beat all existing endurance records. One of them, bearing the number 4, would go on to write one of the most glorious pages in French motoring. For days and nights, the drivers took turns at the wheel, maintaining high average speeds despite fatigue and changing weather conditions.
Vehicle number 4 would go on to set no fewer than 106 international records , covering every imaginable distance and duration. From the hour record to the 30-day record, this blue Rosalie continually pushed the boundaries of what was possible. Mechanics performed maintenance on the road, changing wheels and refueling while the vehicle continued to rotate around the concrete ring at Montlhéry.
This technical feat quickly became a social phenomenon . The French press followed the performances of the little blue Citroën daily, and the public crowded the gates of the racetrack to witness this unprecedented spectacle. The event went beyond sporting events to become a symbol of French resistance to the economic difficulties of the time.
In the end, Rosalie number 4 will have traveled more than 300,000 kilometers in one month, the equivalent of seven and a half laps around the globe, at an average speed exceeding 100 km/h. A feat that will remain in the annals and which will contribute lastingly to forging the legend of reliability of French automobiles.
Complete your collection of Citroën model cars
This record-breaking Rosalie occupies a special place in the world of model cars. It represents a unique moment when French industry still dominated global innovation, before the war shook things up. For collectors, it is a precious testament to the audacity and expertise of France in the 1930s.
It harmonizes perfectly with other emblematic models in the Citroën collection , notably the legendary Traction Avant which succeeded it, or the models from the 1930s which bear witness to this prosperous period of the French automobile industry. Racing vehicle enthusiasts will also find it an ideal complement to the 1/43 scale model cars in their collection.
This model car is particularly aimed at automotive history enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate authentic models full of emotion. It will naturally find its place alongside other historic French automobiles , forming a coherent ensemble that tells the great epic of the French automotive industry.
