Even before World War II, Citroën spoke of a new utility vehicle that would replace the existing TUB van. They wanted to add more capacity -- in weight and in volume -- and additionally the TUB has one flaw: if the van was not loaded, the rear end was unstable. The TUB having aged, it seemed easier to create an entirely new model, a more modern one. The specifications set forth by Boulanger: a unibody vehicle, with front-wheel drive, incorporating elements of the 4-cylinder Traction, with a good rear suspension and above all, making use of as many existing parts as possible from the other models. Pierre Franchiset is the real father of the H-van -- he worked at Citroën designing and overseeing production of bodies; he's the one who thought up the H almost single-handed, and who followed every detail of it through to full-scale production. He directed the project, he gave the vehicle its essential personality, and he made the first prototype. During the war, the preliminary studies for the H were kept hidden from the occupying forces, since there was a ban on anything to do with new models. The conditions were far from ideal, as there was no gasoline to be had, and no raw materials. Once the war ended, the H project came to fruition very quickly. It was made entirely from corrugated sheet metal, Franchiset having realized that he could use .5mm material as long as it received a boost in strength and rigidity via corrugation -- a principle used in aviation design well before the H. From the standpoint of solidity, the H was exceptional! There were Yoder hinges everywhere, on side panels, the panel hiding the spare tire, fuel tank, doors, interior motor cover, front bonnet, etc. These hinges were made from formed sheet metal, and were used on the Tractions and later on the 2CV as well. There were not a lot of prototypes as in the case of the 2CV, just two. There were also no reduced-scale models made; instead they began directly at full-size and made the first prototype. |
At
the outset, this first prototype had a pivoting side door, but which
could encounter problems with the curb, making it difficult to get
out of the van or to load things in and out. The second prototype had a sliding door. It was easy to modify this vehicle as it had nothing but straight lines.... |