The Citroën Type HY 1962 Le Bastard: An Exceptional Piece
This 1962 Citroën Type HY, painted by the renowned coachbuilder Le Bastard, is an authentic testament to post-war French craftsmanship. Adorned in the "tasting-sale" livery and proudly displaying the Stentor café sign, this model car captures the essence of an era when French utility vehicles roamed the roads with panache.
This faithful reproduction fits perfectly into the world of collectors passionate about French automobiles and the history of commercial vehicles emblematic of our road heritage.
model car Features
- Model: Citroën Type HY
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1962
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Bodywork: Le Bastard - Stentor café
- Protective case included: Yes
The Citroën Type HY: A Giant of the Road
Launched in 1947, the Citroën Type HY revolutionized French utility transport. Designed to replace the old pre-war vans, this vehicle is distinguished by its distinctive corrugated bodywork, the result of bold engineering. The corrugated sheets were not just an aesthetic choice: they gave the structure exceptional rigidity while reducing the overall weight of the vehicle.
With its 1.9-litre engine and legendary robustness , the Type HY quickly became the backbone of French commerce. Its generous load capacity and reliability made it the ideal companion for craftsmen, tradespeople and businesses of all sizes. The 1962 model represented the pinnacle of this series, benefiting from all the improvements made over the years.
This iconic van enjoyed resounding commercial success , with more than 473,000 units produced up to 1981, demonstrating its perfect adaptation to the needs of the expanding French economy.
Citroën: Innovation at the Service of the Automobile
In 1962, Citroën underwent a period of intense creativity under the leadership of André Citroën and later Pierre Bercot. The chevron brand, founded in 1919, was already establishing itself as a pioneer of automotive innovation with revolutionary models like the Traction Avant and the 2CV. The Type HY was part of this avant-garde philosophy, combining practicality and technical originality.
This period marked the golden age of French engineering, where Citroën developed unique technical solutions that would have a lasting influence on the global automotive industry. The brand cultivated a strong identity , combining technical audacity and distinctive design, of which the Type HY is one of the finest examples in the utility sector.
The Bastard Adventure: When Craftsmanship Meets the Road
The story of this Citroën Type HY Le Bastard immerses us in the fascinating world of post-war French coachbuilders. The Brittany-based Le Bastard company specialized in the conversion of commercial vehicles, transforming austere production vans into veritable mobile shops. This particular conversion, dedicated to "tasting and sales" for the Stentor café, perfectly illustrates the French ingenuity of the time.
These converted vehicles crisscrossed the markets and fairs of France , bringing the flavors of coffee to every corner of the country. Stentor Coffee, a brand that no longer exists, was one of the companies that helped democratize coffee consumption in France, long before the era of modern chains.
Each Type HY thus fitted out became unique, a testament to French craftsmanship . Coachbuilders like Le Bastard didn't just install equipment: they created true functional works of art, where every detail was designed to optimize the customer experience and commercial efficiency.
This golden era of converted commercial vehicles corresponded to the rise of the French consumer society, where commercial innovation took the form of ingenious mobile solutions. These vehicles embodied the French entrepreneurial spirit, blending artisanal tradition with industrial modernity.
Complete Your Collection of French model cars
This Citroën Type HY Le Bastard occupies a privileged place in the world of French model cars. It harmonizes perfectly with other iconic models of the era, notably classic Citroëns like the DS or the 2CV. Collectors will also appreciate its complementarity with light commercial vehicles of the same period.
For a thematic approach, this model car naturally finds its place alongside commercial vehicles and vintage automobiles from the 1960s. Fans of French automotive history will appreciate associating it with the French vehicles of this prosperous decade.
This piece is aimed at both experienced collectors and enthusiasts of French industrial history. It is an excellent entry point for discovering the world of converted utility vehicles and understanding the evolution of post-war French trade. Its rarity and historical authenticity also make it a wise investment for collectors seeking unique pieces representative of quality French craftsmanship.
