citroën X le coq sportif transform classic vans into tricolored mobile bicycle workshops

to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the type H van, citroën have come together with le coq sportif to create two mobile bicycle workshops that will tour cycling events throughout the year. housed inside the type H itself and its worth successor, the citroën jumpy,  the workshops have been customized in the tricolor color scheme of le coq sportif—a natural move for two french brands setting out to celebrate the history of french automobile design. the collaboration pairs the retro with the modern in a painstakingly picturesque editorial, simultaneously evoking the authenticity and nostalgia of the citroen brand, whilst reinstating that its legacy is far from over.

the mobile bike workshops represent a design approach that plays with opposites, combines beauty with functionality, old with new, and gleaming white with colorful blocks of blue and red. the idea of creating a ‘mobile workshop’ stems from history, in a nod to le coq sportif’s participation in worldwide cycling events. in particular, the design reinterprets citroën’s type H van coined b le coq sportif during le tour de france 2013. five years down the line, citroën have chosen to return to this iconic customization, in a bid to revoke the feelings of friendliness and familiarity that the van gives off as soon as it rolls into sight.

the vans have been designed principally for bicycle maintenance, yet can be adjusted for other services at cycling events, like jersey flocking. the vans aesthetics are representative of the timeless style of the two brands, with their blue, white, and red color scheme a nod to their shared attachment to know-how and french elegance. whilst the type H plays the nostalgia card with an interior decked out in ligh-colored woodwork and seats upholstered in chocolate-colored leather, the jumpy goes for new retro feel, with white leather sets accented with red, white and blue topstitching.

as a brand who have long been interested in people’s relationships with their cars, citroën set out to get in touch with their customers and their every day lifestyles with the two customized workshops. the french brand design under the philosophy cars should be designed for those who make them an integral part of their life—matching up exactly to how le coq sportif have used the type h in the past. the workshops set out to enabling people to engage in sports in a stylish yet casual way. after their debut at the commercial vehicle show in birmingham, uk, the mobile bicycle workshops will be present at cycling events in which le coq sportif participates throughout the year.