AutoCult Citroen 350 Belphégor Guinard (1966) (France) "Pompiers Dun-sur-Meuse - Feuerwehr"

About the Original:

Demon to the Rescue

In 1965, the French manufacturer Citroen was producing a truck for the first time. This truck became known under the commonly used name Belphégor.

Officially, it was simply called the type 350. The truck was impressing by its independent, although not necessarily attractive appearance. Very striking were both small windows at the height of the feet, to enable the driver a better visibility on the street and allow easier parking. At the first attempt, Citroen was creating a small truck, which had a gross vehicle weight of 5.99 tons, was innovative and also gained recognition in the scene. The type 350 was the smallest version in the modular system. For the drive a 4-cylinder-engine was used.  Also available as a petrol engine with 2.17 liters and 82 hp which was powering the front wheels or as a diesel version, purchased by the English company Perkins, with 3.89 liters and a performance of 80 hp. Also the local fire service associations got this equipment for its Citroen fire engine. The type 350 was constructed as an equipment cart whereby the driver´s cab was elegantly integrated in the car body. Equipped with a second row of seats, further firemen could reach the fire source and had also the necessary utensils at the rear of the fire truck. A massive roof track was offering the possibility to transport further tools. Very remarkable was that the designers of the car body were lovely considering the side glass front with a finally, obliquely fitted window pane as well as angularly, but harmoniously formed wheel cases and the adjusted footholds, made of ribbed aluminum sheet for the firemen. And last but not least these nuances were showing the type of fire engine optically well balanced. The original of the 350 Citroen remained once in the service of the fire department “D´incendie et de secours du haut-rhin” – after the structure the Departement SDIS 68, the city Colmar.

The involvement of the truck series of Citroen into the rescue services was only a small part of the total production of the manufacturer, however these special versions helped the successful start of Citroen’s truck segments. The series was produced until 1972 and was especially enjoyed in its home country.