Le Curbside Classic: Citroen H Van

I return from Paris fulfilled. This was a family trip, with a focus on culture, museums, food and window shopping; not cars. But in our walking haunts of Paris’ most colorful neighborhoods, I found exactly what I needed to keep CC going on its regular schedule: two classic little French cars, and one truck, to continue the trucks-on-Saturday tradition. And not just any old truck, but the most iconic French truck ever. The Citroen H Van’s distinctive appearance and corrugated panels exude everything that is the French approach to automotive solutions: technically innovative, eccentric yet practical, visually delightful (some may take exception), and with a timeless appeal. And I have my younger son to thank for finding it.

He’s not along for several reasons. But he requested that we bring him back a bottle of genuine French absinthe. We got an address for an absinthe purveyor, and finally found it after getting quite lost across the river near the Rue de Rosiers (best falafel pitas ever there). And in front of it was parked this H Van. The shop (green one above), like so many here, was the size of an American walk-in closet. How do they make a living from them? It’s great dealing with the knowledgeable and friendly owners of these little store-fronts; sure beats the surly clerk at Albersons.

Back to the H Van: Having successfully launched the revolutionary FWD Traction Avant sedan, in 1942 Citroen developed what is probably the first mass-produced FWD van, naturally using as many components from the sedan. The main difference was that the engine-transmission unit was turned 180 degrees, to get the motor out front, and out of the way.

The benefits of FWD in a van are all-too obvious, as the picture above makes clear: a very low cargo floor, due to the Citroen’s suspension that puts the floor at or below hub height. Almost all French vans and light trucks have been FWD since the H Van introduced its joys to the market.

The Citroen’s distinctive corrugated galvanized steel panels are also highly practical, since they have a degree of rigidity that allowed a more minimal supporting structure. The 2CV prototypes also used these corrugated panels, but only the hood made into the production version. Citroen was inspired by the pioneering Junkers monoplane of the late twenties, which in turn was the basis for the Ford Tri-motor (below), also known as the Tin Goose.

The H Van didn’t only borrow the corrugated panels, but the general styling as well, it seems. That won’t have been for the first time, though. And like an airplane, the H Van was quite light, just a hair over 3,000 lbs. Given that the 1911 cc four put out some 50 hp, the light (empty) weight was helpful, if not necessary. The early versions had a three-speed transmission, and a top speed of 78 km/h (48 mph). Life was lived slower then, especially in France.

The seats in this H Van appear to be similar to the 2CV’s, in having a thin upholstered cushion suspended from webbing attached to the seat frame rails.

The H Van had a long life, like so many of Citroen’s vehicles. After some thirty four years, the end came in 1981. And there were a number of variants built during that time, including longer and taller versions. A special ambulance model had the DS’ hydro pneumatic suspension fitted to the rear, to make the ride extra soft on the way to the hospital.

In the seventies, the H-van was the hippie van/camper of choice. Not surprisingly, the H Van still has an enthusiastic cult following. And like absinthe, some folks are still enjoying its peculiar pleasures. A votre santé, Will!

More new Curbside Classics here