Heller Citroen HY Van 2

[PatW]

Yes, from ebay UK but at a 50 per cent discount!

 

[PatW]

Started today even to test fitting the roof!

 

[PatW]

Some paint today and search for decals tomorrow! I built one of these a few years ago and it was all grey plastic but as you see most of the front panels and doors are clear plastic in this kit!

 

[PatW]

More!

 

[PatW]

Finished along with decals!

 

[BarleyBop]

What a cool van!
Though with a relatively narrow stance, it must be tippy, and I wouldn't want to drive at speed on a windy day!
Or is it just the camera angle?

 

[PatW]

They are large only with a 1628cc petrol engine, but a great load lugger, in corrugated thin metal this is 1960's!

 

[Jakko]

What a cool van!

You used to see them quite a lot into the 1980s, but they largely disappeared after that. Only to be rediscovered, restored and repurposed as "food trucks" (stupid term …) by the 2010s.

There used to be a derelict red one standing next to the village garage for several years when I was young, which is my main memory of them A common nickname for them around here was/is "washboard".

Though with a relatively narrow stance, it must be tippy

Per Wikipedia:

Wheelbase	2,500 mm (98.4 in) (base)
Length	4,260 mm (167.7 in) (base)
Width	2,000 mm (78.7 in)
Height	2,340 mm (92.1 in) (base)
Curb weight	1,400 kg (3,086.5 lb) (base)

They have a very low floor, though, due to being front-wheel drive (it's a Citroën, after all), so that should give a rather good centre of gravity.

 

[PatW]

We see a lot of these in most cities a food and coffee outlets!

 

[Jakko]

Left-hand drive? Because only a small number were made as right-hand drive, IIRC.

Also:

 

[Ron2]

They are large only with a 1628cc petrol engine, but a great load lugger, in corrugated thin metal this is 1960's!

A 1628 cc engine? Wow. My Honda VTX has an 1800cc! That is wild.

 

[PatW]

No matter what size of engine this was the 1960's and it was a load lugger. Left-hand drive yes as none were manufactured in right-hand drive!

Left-hand drive? Because only a small number were made as right-hand drive, IIRC.

Also:

No all in left hand drive as per the video!