Repurposing and finding new functions for existing items has become a cultural phenomenon, and even objects as large as automobiles are turning into things they were never intended to be. One interesting example is this Citroën H Van, which went from being primarily a cargo hauler to serving as a parklet in San Francisco’s Marina District. The owners have decided they want it removed, or perhaps someone else has. Either way, it’s either free for the taking or a best offer. You’ll have to disassemble and move it, but this might be a fun promotional tool for a business, or maybe even a few parts for a needy Citroën. This oddity is on Filbert Street in San Francisco, California, and you can find it here on Facebook Marketplace. Unusual tip, MisterLou, and thanks for sending it to us!
Citroën began making their H-Type vans in the forties, which mainly consisted of industrial cargo vans and light-duty trucks. This series stayed in production until 1981, and the owner doesn’t mention what year or decade this one is from. While it’s obviously no longer functional as a vehicle, parts of the front and rear are still present, so there might be a few usable pieces if the future owner decides to part it out. The right door appears bent at the bottom, but the rest of the sheet metal looks fairly good, so this could be a decent no-cost score for a Citroën enthusiast!
This unit belongs to Rapha, a cycling hub near the Golden Gate Bridge. They provide a home base and community gathering spot for the San Francisco chapter of Rapha Cycling Club, along with a cafe and retail shop. Some internet sleuthing suggests the Citroën was initially found in a barn, then moved to its current street location before being converted into a parklet that provides seating and spaces for cyclists to park their bikes. Apparently, Rapha got verbal approval from the powers that be for this installation but didn’t wait for an official permit, and not everybody in the Marina District of the City by the Bay is thrilled it’s there.
Others seem to love it, and some fans have even called the parklet a San Francisco icon. However, for whatever reason, it’s got to go, and this might be a good opportunity for someone with the tools and transportation to move it to a location where it can keep serving as a parklet. Rescuing some parts to make another Citroën live isn’t a bad idea either, but my biggest hope is that this isn’t destined for scrap, although there are probably several materials here that can be successfully recycled. Do you or someone you know have a use for a free Citroën H Van that’s now a stationary parklet?
As strange as it looks, I’d try to reconnect the front and rear end, and get it running. I’m not sure how easy that would be, though.
I hope the seller is the registered owner, someone is going to have to pay for whatever parking tickets that have accumulated if the new owned wants to get it on the road at some point.
Steve R
Ran when parked!
Free or best offer? That’s a new one.