This Citroën U23 Light Truck in German camouflage was part of Tankfest 26.
The Citroën U23 (or Type 23) successfully bridged the gap between passenger car elegance and workhorse utility. By marrying the distinctive, swept-back front grille and wings of the revolutionary Traction Avant with a conventional, rugged rear-wheel-drive chassis, Citroën created an instantly recognisable aesthetic that defined French roads for decades. Originally powered by the same dependable 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine found in the Traction Avant, the 2-ton truck proved to be incredibly versatile, serving as everything from open flatbeds and enclosed vans to city buses. Its durability became a vital asset during World War II, during which it was heavily utilised by the French military and subsequently requisitioned in large numbers by German forces. Remaining in production for over thirty years until 1969 the U23 cemented its legacy as one of the most enduring and beloved backbones of mid-century European transport.