Citroën: A truck from the father of the "Goddess
ALWAYS READY When the Type N350 truck was presented for the first time in October 1965, there were many stunned faces. They had not expected Citroën to venture into the truck market. The model was the last development of designer Flaminio Bertoni, the father of such famous passenger cars as the 2CV and the DS 19, the [...]
The model was the last development of the designer Flaminio Bertoni, the father of such famous passenger cars as the 2CV and the DS 19, the "Goddess".
Many awards for the innovations
So innovations were no surprise at the Citroën fire department. The Belphégor owed its name to its unusual design and parallels to a popular television series "Belphégor or the Mystery of the Louvre".
The innovations brought the truck not only the nickname, but also many awards for the innovations of this model. Later, after the takeover of Berliet, the Belphégor was then only prosaically called Citroën-Berliet K - commercial vehicle.
82 hp and 70 km/h top speed
Apart from its futuristic design, the Belphégor already had power steering and a high-pressure brake based on DS technology.
The most striking feature: the two windows installed above the front headlights and in the lower part of the cab, respectively, with a clear view of the road, which simplified difficult driving maneuvers even in rough terrain.
In order for the N350 to get to any scene quickly, the fire truck had 82 horsepower for a top speed of 70 km/h and a siren on the roof. The extendable fire ladder, steel pipes and water tanks with a capacity of up to 3500 liters were used to fight fires.
Over 140 different combinations
The type N350 was offered with various gasoline and diesel engine options, including motor pump, and total loads from 3500 to 8000 kilograms. In total, more than 140 different combinations were thus possible.
In addition, the vehicle was characterized by robustness, ease of maintenance and a high level of comfort for the driver and front passenger. In this context, the height-adjustable seats, the heating system and the three sun visors are particularly noteworthy.
