Citroën H Van

Citroën H Van
Front 3/4 view showing spare wheel compartment: post 1969 model with rectangular rear wings and suicide doors
Overview
Manufacturer	Citroën
Production	1947–1981
Assembly	France: Paris Spain: Vigo (Centro de Vigo)
Body and chassis
Class	Light commercial vehicle
Body style	4-door panel van
Layout	FF layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Citroën TUB
Successor	Citroën C25, Citroën C35

The Citroën H Van, Type H, H-Type or HY is a panel van (light truck) produced by the French car maker Citroën between 1947 and 1981. It was developed as a simple front wheel driven van after World War II. A total of 473,289 were produced in 34 years in factories in France and Belgium.

Like the 1934 Citroën Traction Avant, the H had a unitary body with no separate frame, four-wheel independent suspension, and front-wheel drive. For a commercial van, this combination provided unique benefits - a flat floor very close to the ground, and 6 ft (180 cm) standing height, with a side loading door.

The distinctive corrugated body work used throughout the period of production was inspired by German Junkers (Aircraft) starting from the First World War until the 1930s, the three engined Junkers Ju 52 being the last to use this construction. Henry Ford also adopted this construction for the Ford Tri-Motor passenger aircraft. The ribs added strength without adding weight, and required only simple, low cost press tools. The flat body panels were braced on the inside by 'top hat' box sections, at right angles to the ribs. The welded floor was strong enough to support a horse.

Most H Vans were sold in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. At the Slough Trading Estate assembly facility (1926-1966), Citroën UK built a very small number of right hand drive versions. The German market was supplied by a key competitor, the Volkswagen Type 2.

As with the Volkswagen, the H Van could not be sold in the US as a commercial vehicle after 1964, due to the Chicken tax.

The engine, gearbox and many smaller parts are shared with other Citroën models. The engine and gearbox are nearly identical to those in the Traction Avant and later the DS, only mounted with the engine in front of the gearbox. The headlights were identical to those of the 2CV, while speedometers were successively borrowed from the Traction Avant and the Ami 6.