1969 Citroen H Van Campervan

Highlights

Interesting and unusual camper conversion
Recent £10,000 mechanical overhaul
Perfect as a camper or mobile beach hut!
Alternative to more common classic campers
Good condition with original aesthetics

The Appeal

The world of classic campers is a vibrant and friendly one. It’s about self-expression and individuality. But if you really want to stand out from the crowd of vintage German vans, you need this - a Citroen H van.

It was imported to the UK from France in 1993 as a van in good order. According to historic photos it appears to have led a fairly relaxed life as the delivery wheels for a local Charcuterie. Since arriving, it has begun a new life as a luxury camper.

The work appears to have been completed a few years ago. Sparing use since means it remains in good order - there are some minor points to note in photographs, but they fall into the ‘patina’ category. The interior looks great and would double as a camper or mobile beach hut, which is how the current keeper uses it.

He acquired the van in 2022 and quickly set about an extensive mechanical overhaul. With £10,000 spent, the running gear is in line with the rest of the van. H Vans always stand out at the beach or on campsites, or this one could be pressed into commercial work again as a coffee or food van.

The History and Paperwork

V5 is present
UK Registered 18th October 1993
Four previous UK keepers
Current keeper since October 2022
Change of circumstances means the van is now for sale
Previous MOT certificates
Photographs of the van from its time as a delivery vehicle
Previously light blue as shown in photographs
Repainted in Fiat light green in 2021 and re-registered with DVLA
Recent £10,000 mechanical overhaul

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.

Some paperwork is present, some dating back to 1969, when the van was made, and more recently, some receipts for parts purchased during the conversion.

The Condition

Fully retrimmed
Custom-made cabinets
Sink and hob
Seats turn into the sleeping area
Finished in Fiat 500 green
Roof-mounted solar panels
All original body panels

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 kilometres - 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.

Most of the work has been carried out in the rear. 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, an excellent-sized Smod fridge is mounted beneath the sink, and a storage cupboard is 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 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, 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
£10,000 mechanical overhaul since October 2022

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.

Since the vendor acquired the van in 2022, he has spent £ 10,000 on the mechanicals. He reports that it runs and 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.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

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