Citroën Type HP Green from 1957 - Brasseur Tray
This magnificent 1957 Citroën Type HP model car in green livery with brewer's tray represents one of the most iconic French post-war commercial vehicles. Faithfully reproduced in 1:43 scale , this collector's item perfectly captures the essence of 1950s commercial transport.
Intended for passionate collectors of model car Citroën cars and vehicles from the 1950s , this reproduction is a testament to French craftsmanship and commercial ingenuity of the time.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: Citroën Type HP brewing tray
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1957
- Scale: 1/43
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Color: Green
- Protective case included: Yes
The Citroën Type HP in history
The Citroën Type HP was launched in 1948 to meet the pressing needs of French reconstruction. André Citroën designed this utility vehicle as a logical extension of the famous 2CV, sharing many mechanical elements with it while offering a load capacity suitable for craftsmen and tradesmen.
Powered by a 375cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, the Type HP could carry up to 400kg of cargo. Its rustic yet efficient design, with its cardan shaft drive and torsion bar suspension, made it an ideal companion for professionals of the time. The flatbed model, particularly popular with brewers and delivery drivers, allowed for easy loading and remarkable versatility.
This vehicle enjoyed notable commercial success, with more than 300,000 units produced between 1948 and 1981, demonstrating its perfect adaptation to the needs of the post-war French market.
Citroën in 1957: innovation in everyday life
In 1957, the Citroën brand was experiencing a period of remarkable expansion under the leadership of André Citroën and his successors. The company, founded in 1919, had already distinguished itself through its revolutionary technical innovations, notably the Traction Avant , which had revolutionized the global automotive industry in the 1930s.
This period marked the height of the Citroën philosophy: to create different, practical, and accessible vehicles . The Type HP was a perfect fit for this approach, offering craftsmen and small traders a reliable and economical working tool. The brand with the chevrons was also preparing the launch of its future revolution: the DS, which would define new aesthetic and technical standards.
The year 1957 also corresponded to Citroën's international expansion, with factories in Argentina, Chile and Belgium, confirming the global reach of French automotive innovation.
Brewers and their faithful companions
The Citroën Type HP plateau brewer holds a special place in the history of French commercial transport. These vehicles, recognizable by their open platform and removable sides, crisscrossed the streets of towns and villages daily, laden with barrels of beer and crates of bottles.
A delightful anecdote tells of how beer delivery drivers in Paris were nicknamed "Sunday horses" because they were the only ones allowed to drive around on Sunday mornings to supply cafes before opening. These drivers developed remarkable dexterity in maneuvering their laden vehicles through the narrow streets of old Paris, creating a daily ballet that Parisians knew well.
The green color of many Type HPs was often associated with regional breweries that customized their fleets. This now-iconic color made it easier to identify delivery drivers and reinforced the brand image of local breweries. Some vehicles were even equipped with rudimentary cooling systems to preserve the quality of the beer during long summer journeys.
These utilities bear witness to a time when local commerce punctuated daily life, creating strong social links between traders and their customers, a human dimension perfectly captured by this authentic model car.
Complete your collection of French model cars
This 1957 Citroën Type HP naturally finds its place in any collection dedicated to French model car vehicles . It harmoniously interacts with other icons of the era such as the Citroën 2CV or the Citroën Type H , forming a coherent whole representative of French utility genius.
Collectors passionate about light commercial vehicles will find it an ideal complement to their Peugeot 403 van or Renault 4 van series. This model car will also appeal to fans of advertising cars with its historical authenticity and commercial dimension.
Beyond its aesthetic value, this piece constitutes a true heritage testimony to the French automobile industry and the evolution of the transport professions. It is aimed at both experienced collectors and novices wishing to discover automotive history through authentic and carefully reproduced models.
