When Germany invaded in 1940, over 12,000 of these Citroën trucks had already been delivered to the French army in under ten months — and the Wehrmacht promptly pressed 6,000 of them straight into its own service.
Lead trim: U23 1.9 petrol four (1935–1940)
Citroën U23U23-A · 1935–1940
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Citroën U23 yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactWhen Germany invaded in 1940, over 12,000 of these Citroën trucks had already been delivered to the French army in under ten months — and the Wehrmacht promptly pressed 6,000 of them straight into its own service.
The Citroën U23 (Type 23) was a light (2-ton) truck introduced by Citroën in 1935 (about one million built by 1969, designed by Flaminio Bertoni); although its engine cowling and front body resembled the Traction Avant's, it had a conventional rear-wheel-drive layout. It was powered by a 1911 cc four-cylinder petrol engine, with a 1767 cc four-cylinder Diesel available from 1936. The French military ordered large quantities after the declaration of World War II (more than 12,000 delivered in under ten months when Germany invaded), and about 6,000 were pressed into German service after June 1940. In 1935–40 the wheelbase was 3,380 mm (130 in) and the length 5,080 mm (200 in), width 1,960 mm (80 in).
Collectors Spotted in the Citroën U23 Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Citroën U23 yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
2 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U23 1.8 diesel four (1936–1940) | 1936–1940 | 1.8 L Inline-4 | — | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| U23 1.9 petrol four (1935–1940) | 1935–1940 | 1.9 L Inline-4 | — | — | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
France had just delivered over 12,000 U23 trucks to its own army when the country fell in June 1940 — roughly 6,000 of them were seized straight into German military service.
When Germany invaded in 1940, over 12,000 of these Citroën trucks had already been delivered to the French army in under ten months — and the Wehrmacht promptly pressed 6,000 of them straight into its own service.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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