Estimate shipping costs

Chargement de vos recommandations...

Citroën U23 Isigny Sainte-Mère: The elegance of French dairy transport

This magnificent miniature Citroën U23 in the Isigny Sainte-Mère livery represents one of the most iconic commercial vehicles of the French dairy industry of the 1950s and 1960s. With its distinctive two-tone blue and beige livery, this miniature truck perfectly captures the essence of an era when dairy brands traveled the roads of France to deliver their fresh produce.

This collector's item will appeal to both French automobile enthusiasts and industrial history lovers, offering a faithful testimony to France's commercial heritage.

Characteristics of the miniature

  • Model: Citroën U23
  • Brand: Citroën
  • Year: 1950-1960
  • Scale: 1/43rd
  • Color: Blue and beige
  • Advertisement: Isigny Sainte-Mère
  • Protective case included: Yes

The Citroën U23: A pillar of French commercial transport

Launched in the early 1950s, the Citroën U23 was one of the most robust utility vehicles developed by the French brand to meet the growing needs of post-war commercial transport. This medium-duty truck was particularly popular with professionals for its reliability and adaptability to different body types.

The U23 was distinguished by its economical diesel engine and practical design, ideally suited to urban and regional deliveries. Its comfortable cab and power steering made it a popular workhorse for professional drivers. This model embodied the industrious spirit of France during the Trente Glorieuses , a period of reconstruction and economic growth.

The commercial success of the U23 was also due to its versatility: it could be fitted with different types of bodywork depending on the specific needs of companies, from vans to tippers, including refrigerated bodies for food transport.

Citroën: A tradition of innovation in utility vehicles

When the U23 was created, Citroën was already recognized as a pioneer of the French automobile industry . Founded in 1919 by André Citroën, the brand quickly established itself thanks to its technical innovations and revolutionary production methods inspired by American industry.

In the 1950s, Citroën consolidated its position in the commercial vehicle market after making history with iconic models like the Traction Avant. The U range, which included the U23, demonstrated the brand's desire to offer complete solutions to professionals. This period also saw the beginnings of the development of the legendary 2CV and the first studies of what would later become the DS .

Citroën's expertise in commercial vehicles would continue successfully for decades, culminating in iconic models such as the Type H and its successors.

Isigny Sainte-Mère: When the land meets the road

The history of Isigny Sainte-Mère is closely linked to that of the Normandy countryside and its centuries-old dairy traditions. This dairy cooperative, founded in 1932, took its name from two Calvados communes located in the heart of a region renowned for the exceptional quality of its pastures. Citroën U23 trucks in the brand's colors crisscrossed Normandy and far beyond, transporting butter, cream, and cheese to Parisian and provincial markets.

These vehicles were true ambassadors of Normandy's terroir on the roads of France. Their passage through the villages was an event : housewives watched for the arrival of the "milk truck" which brought fresh produce directly from the farm. This period marked the golden age of regional brands, before the industrial concentration that would characterize the following decades.

The two-tone blue and beige livery was not a trivial aesthetic choice: it reflected the carefully crafted visual identity of Isigny Sainte-Mère, combining the freshness of blue with the warmth of beige, evoking respectively the purity of milk and the richness of processed products. These trucks thus participated in the construction of the brand image , long before marketing became a science.

Even today, Isigny Sainte-Mère continues this tradition of excellence, and seeing a Citroën U23 in its colours immediately evokes the rural and industrious France of the 1950s, where quality rhymed with proximity and authenticity.

Complete your collection of French model cars

This miniature of the Citroën U23 Isigny Sainte-Mère naturally finds its place in any collection dedicated to French automotive and commercial heritage . It harmonizes perfectly with other commercial vehicles of the period, in particular the famous light commercial vehicles which marked the history of French transport.

Collectors passionate about industrial history will appreciate displaying it alongside other advertising vehicles from major French brands, creating a veritable gallery of the French commercial epic. This piece also finds its place in thematic collections devoted to heavy goods vehicles or vehicles from the 1950s .

Whether you are a fan of Citroën model cars or passionate about the history of French automobiles , this U23 Isigny Sainte-Mère is an authentic testimony to an era when French industry shone on its roads with pride and know-how.

Même marque : Citroën

Frequently Asked Questions

How to understand the scales of miniatures?

Scale indicates the reduction ratio between the real car and the miniature. For example, at 1:43 scale, each centimeter on the miniature corresponds to 43 centimeters on the real vehicle.

Concretely, a 1/18 scale Ferrari model is approximately 25-30 cm long, while in 1/43 scale it measures approximately 10 cm.

What scales are available?

Our model cars are mainly offered in 1/43, 1/24, 1/18 and 1/87 (HO) scales. The scale is always indicated in the product sheet.

The smaller the second number, the larger the model car (e.g. 1/18 is larger than 1/43).

Does the model car come with protection?

Yes, each model car is systematically delivered in its protective box. This box preserves the collectible value and protects your model car from dust and shocks.

How is my package protected during transport?

We package each order with the utmost care: bubble wrap, appropriate cushioning, and polystyrene. Your model car is perfectly secure during its journey.

What is the delivery time?

In-stock items are shipped within 24-48 hours. Please allow 2-3 business days for France via Colissimo or 4-5 days via Mondial Relay.

The model car is no longer in stock, when will you have it?

It's impossible for me to know exactly when I'll receive a new stock because I receive arrivals in dribs and drabs. Please contact me so I can keep you informed as soon as it's available.

What our customers say

Customer feedback and testimonials

patrice FAIVRE Vérifié
Very Serious Seller
Important and updated selection - competitive prices and promotions - well-protected orders are shipped and delivered quickly - ordered items are always according to the description. Very serious seller that I recommend. Thank you and see you soon.
il y a 1 jour
Michel FALCOTET Vérifié
Regularity for Excellent Service.
il y a 1 semaine
Chartier Vérifié
My husband collects cars...
My husband collects miniature cars (we can't afford to collect the real ones 😂)! For Father's Day, I ordered from Bernard for the second time and I was completely satisfied. Quick delivery, care taken with the cars and their packaging, communication... peace of mind!
il y a 1 semaine
Baptiste Suaud Vérifié
Nothing to say
Nothing to say, compliant products and very fast shipping
il y a 1 semaine
Fabio Cannarella Vérifié
Item shipped quickly and well...
Item shipped quickly and well packaged. The item also met my expectations.
il y a 1 semaine
benoist Vérifié
Beautiful Miniatures Shipped...
Beautiful Miniatures shipped with care
il y a 1 semaine
Monsieur Teddy Vérifié
Order shipped quickly with a...
Order shipped quickly with tracking until delivery. Vehicle is exactly as shown in the photos. I recommend.
il y a 1 semaine
Linda H. Vérifié
Very good shop
Very good shop. The seller is responsive and the miniatures are packed with the utmost care. Order processing takes 4 to 6 days, which is quite acceptable given the number of orders this gentleman must receive. The shop offers recent models as well as older ones. The price is fair. Delivery is qu...
il y a 2 semaines
Christian Hofmann Vérifié
I don't understand a word this form is…
I don't understand a word this form is saying, but I got what I ordered, and fast.
il y a 2 semaines
Patricia Gilbert Vérifié
Toy car collection
Fast service, really happy with my purchase. I intend to purchase some more.
il y a 2 semaines
Adolfo OG Vérifié
Very Fast Shipping and Delivery
Very fast shipping and delivery. Much care taken in packaging.
il y a 2 semaines
Eos Vérifié
Pleasure to deal with Bernard
Pleasure to deal with Bernard. Models were sent promptly and are good quality.
il y a 2 semaines