Citroën U23 blue and beige with CHAMBOURCY advertising
Scale 1/43rd
Cracked box at the back
PLEASE NOTE: the first image is a computer-generated render and may not exactly match the vehicle in this listing, so please check the photos that follow it.
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Get it between Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 November
This Citroën U23 model proudly wears the iconic blue and beige colors of the Chambourcy dairy brand, capturing a time when advertising vans roamed the roads of France. This faithful replica distills the spirit of 1950s and 1960s commercial transport, when the U23 reigned supreme over urban and suburban deliveries.
Designed for collectors who love French utility vehicles, this model car celebrates French automotive ingenuity and the golden age of mobile advertising. It sits naturally alongside other Citroën model vehicles in any collection worthy of the name.
Launched in 1947, the Citroën U23 marked a clean break in the French light commercial vehicle market. Drawing on the expertise Citroën had gained with the Traction Avant, the company applied its engineering innovations to commercial vehicles. The U23 stood out for its forward-thinking design: front-mounted engine, front-wheel drive and a unibody chassis that was revolutionary for its time.
This utility vehicle offered a payload of 1.2 tonnes and could seat up to nine passengers in its passenger-transport version. Its exceptional versatility quickly made it the go-to work tool for craftsmen, shopkeepers and delivery companies. The U23 brought modern commercial transport within reach, offering reliability and low running costs.
The flagship product of Citroën's factories for nearly twenty years, the U23 embodied France's postwar industrial revival. Its legendary robustness and ease of maintenance made it an ideal ambassador for French brands eager to project their image across the country.
André Citroën transformed the French automotive industry from 1919 onward by introducing mass production methods. In the 1940s and 1950s, when the U23 was developed, the chevron-badged brand was building its reputation as an innovator with bold technical solutions. The company bet on widespread front-wheel drive, a revolutionary technology that gave it a head start over its rivals.
This golden era saw the birth of Citroën's most iconic models: the 2CV in 1948, then the DS in 1955. The U23 fit perfectly within this philosophy of innovation, bringing the same forward-thinking principles to utility vehicles. Citroën showed that innovation was not reserved for passenger cars but could transform the entire light commercial vehicle sector.
The French marque was already cultivating its image of technological daring, which would later culminate in the CX, the BX and their revolutionary hydropneumatic suspensions. This culture of innovation has its roots in the U23 years, a pivotal period when Citroën was shaping its identity as a manufacturer that stood apart.
The collaboration between Citroën and Chambourcy perfectly illustrates the evolution of 1950s French marketing. This Normandy dairy, founded in 1948 by Jean Chatel, revolutionized the distribution of fresh dairy products by focusing on quality and advertising innovation. The Citroën U23 vans in Chambourcy colors quickly became a familiar sight on French streets.
Chambourcy was among the first companies to grasp the importance of mobile advertising. Their delivery vehicles, meticulously decorated, turned every round into a communication campaign. The choice of the Citroën U23 was no accident: its reliability guaranteed a constant presence on the road, maximizing advertising impact.
This marketing strategy proved visionary. Chambourcy quickly became synonymous with modernity and quality in the minds of French consumers. The blue and beige vans played an active role in winning market share, conveying the image of a dynamic company close to its customers.
The Citroën–Chambourcy partnership also marked the emergence of French consumer society. These advertising vehicles reflected an era when the car became a driver of economic prosperity and the modernization of commerce. Today, this collaboration remains in people's memories as a symbol of the French postwar boom (Trente Glorieuses).
This Citroën U23 Chambourcy holds pride of place in any collection of collectible utility vehicles. It pairs harmoniously with other iconic models from the period, notably the Citroën Type H and the various advertising liveries of France's automotive heritage.
Collectors passionate about industrial history will especially appreciate this piece, which documents the evolution of advertising transport. It fits perfectly into a themed collection devoted to advertising vehicles or postwar French utility vehicles. It will also appeal to fans of French model cars who want to preserve the memory of our automotive heritage.
A true witness to French economic history, this Citroën U23 Chambourcy goes beyond a simple collectible to become an authentic fragment of our industrial and advertising heritage, deserving its place in any collection that respects automotive history.
Stephane Bazille
14 November 2026
Always delivered within the agreed deadlines, well-packaged and protected materials. Nothing negative to report. A constantly renewed range that, despite the intention to remain cautious, always finds new temptations...
Claude Lang
13 November 2026
I placed my second order and everything went smoothly, delivery without issues, items in good condition, and delivered on time. After this second order, I can only recommend the site to Bernardminiature, a serious person. Top delivery, thanks again to him and good for a next order.
Serge PINSON
12 November 2026
In addition to the fact that the 1/43 miniatures received are perfectly in line with the photographs and my expectations and are of great finesse, they arrived very quickly (I was even informed of the shipment) and very carefully packaged. Very satisfied, I placed a new order with Bernard Miniatures, a seller I recommend for their selection and reliability.
The scale is the reduction ratio between the real car and the model. At 1:43 scale, for example, every centimetre of the model represents 43 centimetres of the real vehicle.
In practice, a 1:18 Ferrari model is about 25–30 cm long, while at 1:43 it measures roughly 10 cm.
Our model cars mainly come in 1:43, 1:24, 1:18 and 1:87 (HO) scale. The scale is always listed on the product page.
The smaller the second number, the bigger the model (e.g. 1:18 is larger than 1:43).
Yes, every model car ships in its protective box. The box preserves its collector value and protects your model from dust and knocks.
We pack every order with great care: bubble wrap, snug padding and polystyrene. Your model car is fully secured on its way to you.
In-stock items ship within 24–48h. Allow 2–3 business days for mainland France with Colissimo, or 4–5 days with Mondial Relay.
I can't say exactly when new stock will arrive, as it comes in a trickle. Feel free to contact me and I'll let you know as soon as it's available.