Citroën U23
Encyclopedia
The U23, or Type 23, was a light (2-ton) truck
introduced by Citroën
in 1936. Although the engine cowling and front body was looking similar with the Citroën Traction Avant
's, the U23 had a conventional rear-drive transmission
.
The production lasted for a very long time, from the late thirties to the early sixties. One major customer was the French
military, who ordered large quantities of Type 23s after the declaration of World War II
. At the time of the German invasion, more than 12,000 Type 23 had been delivered in less than ten months.
There has been two distinct body styles, since the U23 underwent a major restyling in the fifties. The Citroën U23 was replaced by the Citroën 350 to 850
, also called Belphegor.
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
introduced by Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
in 1936. Although the engine cowling and front body was looking similar with the Citroën Traction Avant
Citroën Traction Avant
The Citroën Traction Avant is an automobile which was produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1934 to 1957. About 760,000 units were produced.-Impact on the world:...
's, the U23 had a conventional rear-drive transmission
Transmission (mechanics)
A machine consists of a power source and a power transmission system, which provides controlled application of the power. Merriam-Webster defines transmission as: an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the propeller shaft by which the power is transmitted from an engine to a...
.
The production lasted for a very long time, from the late thirties to the early sixties. One major customer was the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
military, who ordered large quantities of Type 23s after the declaration of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. At the time of the German invasion, more than 12,000 Type 23 had been delivered in less than ten months.
There has been two distinct body styles, since the U23 underwent a major restyling in the fifties. The Citroën U23 was replaced by the Citroën 350 to 850
Belphegor (truck)
In 1964, Citroën released a range of trucks from 3.5 to 8 ton capacity, styled by Flaminio Bertoni, the Italian sculptor also responsible for the Citroën 2CV, Citroën DS, Citroën Ami 6, and Citroën Traction Avant cars....
, also called Belphegor.