This 1979 Citroën Type H miniature faithfully reproduces one of the most iconic utility vehicles in French automotive history. Featuring the colors of the Lucien Padel electric company, this 1600 kg diesel model reflects the extensive use of these vans by craftsmen and professionals of the time.
As a true collector's item, this reproduction captures the essence of an era when the Type H traveled the roads of France, actively contributing to the economic boom of the post-war years and the development of the French electrical sector.
Miniature Features
- Model: Citroën Type H 1600 Kg Diesel
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1979
- Scale: 1/43
- Color: Grey
- Decoration: Lucien Padel Electric Company
- Protective box included: Yes
The Citroën Type H: A Revolutionary Utility Vehicle
Launched in 1947, the Citroën Type H represented a revolution in the world of utility vehicles. Designed by Pierre Boulanger's team, this van was distinguished by its fully metallic monocoque structure and its characteristic wavy panels which earned it the affectionate nickname "the tube".
The 1979 1600 kg diesel version embodied the technical maturity of this model. Equipped with the Indenor diesel engine, it offered reduced fuel consumption and exceptional robustness, qualities essential for professionals like the Lucien Padel electric company. Its generous payload and optimized cargo volume made it the perfect work tool.
The commercial success of the Type H was phenomenal, with over 473,000 units produced by 1981. It equipped the fleets of many French companies and actively participated in the country's reconstruction after World War II.
Citroën: Innovation at the Service of Utility
In 1979, Citroën was going through a pivotal period in its history. Integrated into the PSA group since 1976, the brand with the chevrons continued to cultivate its legacy of innovation. The Type H, then at the end of its career, still represented 32 years of expertise in the field of utility vehicles.
The brand's history, founded in 1919 by André Citroën, was built on technical boldness and the democratization of the automobile. From the revolutionary Traction Avant to the innovative Citroën DS, the company always prioritized avant-garde solutions. This philosophy was fully reflected in the design of the Type H, a true innovation laboratory applied to professional transport.
A Legend of the Roads of France
The Citroën Type H marked the French collective imagination far beyond its simple utilitarian function. In the 1970s, it became a symbol of small mobile commerce and local craftsmanship. The Lucien Padel electric company, like thousands of other professionals, made this vehicle its daily road companion.
A tasty anecdote illustrates the attachment of the French to this vehicle: during the strikes of 1968, some Parisian students affectionately nicknamed the Type H police vans "the wavy salad baskets". This familiarity testified to the unique place this van held in the French urban landscape.
Even more surprisingly, the Type H experienced an unexpected second youth in the 1980s-1990s when the French hippie community adopted it massively. Transformed into makeshift campers, these former professional utility vehicles accompanied a whole generation on the roads of alternative Europe, becoming true symbols of nomadic freedom.
Today, this popularity endures with the phenomenon of vintage food trucks. Many restored Type Hs are once again roaming the French cities, this time to sell culinary specialties, proving that the practical spirit and timeless aesthetics of this vehicle transcend ages.
Complete Your Miniature Collection
This reproduction of the Type H from the Lucien Padel company naturally finds its place in the universe of Citroën miniatures. It perfectly complements the thematic collections of utility vehicles and serves as an authentic testament to the era of the 1970s.
Collectors passionate about the history of French professional vehicles will particularly appreciate this miniature which harmonizes with other iconic models like the Peugeot utilities or Renault vans from the same era. This piece will also charm fans of advertising vehicles due to its historical authenticity and meticulous finish at the 1/43 scale.
