HIGHLIGHTS
- Beautifully presented
- Converted into a luxury campervan
- Little use since the conversion
- A fortune has been spent
THE APPEAL
With a production run of over 33 years from 1947 to 1981, the Citroen H van has undoubtedly earned its place in the classic world. With over 473,289 produced in various configurations, they were a massive success in France and Europe, but there weren't many that made it into Britain.
Luckily this one did; it was imported to the UK in 1993 as a van in good order. It was thought from the condition that the van had been given a relatively easy life, standing it in good stead to still be on the road today. Not only is the H van on the road, but it has also been given a high-quality conversion into a campervan.
Citroen H vans are often seen in the UK converted into a quirky food or coffee business. This is what the vendor had planned when buying the vehicle, but due to a change in circumstances, the venture remains an idea for the time being.
This means there is now a usable 1969 Citroen H van fully equipped to be used for a weekend away, or you could do as the vendor was planning and set up a mobile food van. Just think, open the back up, spin the table sideways, and you have the perfect counter there ready to take orders, and as it runs nicely, it can be driven to events, unlike many, which are often trailered.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- V5 is present
- UK Registered 18th October 1993
- Three previous UK keepers
- Previous MOT certificates
This wonderful 1969 Citroen H started life as a work van in France. It was imported to the UK in 1993, where it is believed to have been owned for several years by a Citroen enthusiast who used the van on a regular basis.
It was then sold to another enthusiast before it finally went to the gentleman who converted it into a camper in 2020. The bespoke conversion has been carried out to a high standard, as you can see from the images.
There is some paperwork present, some dating back to 1969 when the van was made, and more recently are some receipts for parts purchased during the conversion.
THE INTERIOR
- Fully retrimmed
- Custom-made cabinets
- Sink and hob
- Seats turn into the sleeping area
The interior has been bespoke made and finished to a high standard throughout. The front seats are the originals with new seat pads fitted, hand-made from leather, and both are in excellent condition. The dashboard is metal and painted to match the exterior, the instrument cluster works apart from the fuel gauge, and the mileage showing is 69,473 kilometers which is approximately 43,168 miles. The switchgear looks to be the original and is all working as it should. Pop down the glovebox lid, and hidden away is a JVC head-unit. The door cards are finished in a suede, Alcantara type material with an embroidered logo. The same material has been used for the headling, which runs from front to rear.
In the rear is where most of the work has been carried out. Entering through the side door, wooden flooring is fitted, which is ideally suited to the style and can be easily cleaned. Just in front of you is the Dometic sink and single hob unit and to the left is a pop-up socket. To keep the essentials cool, there is an excellent sized Smod fridge mounted beneath the sink and a storage cupboard to the left. There is a table in the middle against the rear doors with two bench seats on either side and leather seat cushions to match the front seats. At each end of the seats are neat cubby holes with a lift-up lid discreetly crafted into the armrest. Connected to the JVC head-unit are two sets of Vibe component speakers that bring you the in-van entertainment.
THE EXTERIOR
- Finished in Fiat 500 green
- Roof-mounted solar panels
- All original body panels
The H van is reported to have retained all of its original metal panels, as some people often swap these for fibreglass when the old ones corrode; this also points to the van being in solid condition before the restoration. The van has been finished in Fiat 500 green and has been painted to give a period-correct finish without the high gloss found on today's vehicles. There are some areas where the finish could have been a little better, but it is all in keeping with the vehicle's style.
Starting at the front, the lights are all in excellent condition, with no splits or cracks in the lenses. The bonnet looks to align as it should, and the huge grill is in good condition with no damage to the slats. Moving up, the windscreen is free from any noticeable scratches, and the seal looks to have been replaced as this has no perishing.
Around to the sides, the doors have both had new door and window seals fitted; these open and close easily and align as they should. In addition, a window has been installed on the nearside, and the original spare wheel compartment has cleverly been used to store the electrics and leisure battery. Within here there is a battery conditioner, 240-volt electric hook-up, the solar panel charging monitor, trip switches, an LPG gas tank and relevant fuses. On the opposite side, the sliding door opens as it should, and the H van is free from any dings or dents.
At the rear, the back can be fully exposed thanks to the lift-up rear door and barn-style doors on the lower section, with the relocated spare wheel mounted to one side. The light lenses are in good condition, as is the bumper. The ladder is fully functional up to the roof, with a metal frame, wooden roof rack, and a roof-mounted solar panel for some free electricity. The steel wheels are finished in white and in good condition, and the tyres have a good amount of tread remaining.
THE MECHANICS
- 1688cc engine
- Three-speed manual gearbox
- Runs and drives as it should
The H van is equipped with a 1688cc engine and looks to have had a new carburettor and fuel filter. The engine fires up as it should and idles with no untoward noises coming from the engine compartment. Looking under the van, we did not see any signs of any oil leaks from the engine and everything appeared to be in good order.
As reported by the vendor, the van drives as it should with no knocks or bangs from the suspension, and the gear change is as you would expect from the three-speed gearbox. The brakes are also reported to bring the Citroen to a stop in a straight line with no issues.
SUMMARY
Just three enthusiast keepers have owned the H van since coming to the UK in 1993, with the previous owner carrying out the conversion. This is the perfect van for anyone wanting a classic to set off for a weekend adventure in, and something that little bit different to a classic VW.
Or there is always the option to make some minor changes and set it up as a business. It would be perfect as it’s definitely a vehicle which draws attention wherever it goes, and the possibilities are endless, coffee, pizza, wraps, ice cream, burgers, you get the idea.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
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