At the end of the 1950s, a number of vehicles appeared in France that relied on the chassis of the Citroën U55 truck. This batch of competing advertising cars is exaggerated to show different products, such as the "missile car" promoted for the electrical appliance brand, the most exaggerated of which is the Hoover vacuum cleaner-shaped car.
Hoover vacuum cleaner advertising car
This also proves from the side that the U55 is very popular, and today we are talking about a double-decker city sightseeing bus modified from this chassis, a model designed to resemble a spaceship with a super dreamlike appearance.
French Kurus double-decker city sightseeing bus
In post-war France, novel means of transport began to appear. In the 1950s, tour operator Cityrama began building a number of double-decker buses, manufactured by the Coulouse Bus Manufacturing Company, using the chassis of the Citroën U55 and the body with panoramic windows, so that passengers could view the city of Paris from all angles.
This Kurus double-decker city sightseeing bus is also known as the "spaceship", and the full-body glass windows are its biggest feature. Except for the rear half of the body of the first floor, the whole body is covered by neatly arranged glass windows, and the front part of the car includes the top, side top, front and side windows. There is also a protruding single horn above the front cab, like the impact angle of an old sailing ship.
Kurus double-decker city sightseeing bus under the Eiffel Tower
The front windshield of the front and the front glass of the second floor are angled to reduce the wind resistance of the vehicle. The two windshields directly in front are each equipped with an inlaid wiper, and the connection is located above the glass. The lower part of the body resembles a boat, the front part of the car is slightly protruding, and the interior is a front-mounted engine. The front grille is two sets of upper and lower, the lower part is like an open smiley face, and the upper part is flanked by headlights embedded in the body.
Left side of the vehicle
The sides of the body are also dominated by glass windows, mounted in a grid-like metal frame. The left-hand drive has doors on the right, with a wide, wide, open door at the front and rear. From the side, the second floor of the vehicle is slightly narrower than the first, and at the rear of the vehicle there is a large, flipped U-shaped wide metal frame.
To say that the view is wide, this car can definitely be called the first. The above-glass window seats and panoramic windows minimize the driver's blind spot in the driver's seat. The three-spoke, large-diameter steering wheel is comfortable to operate, the front dashboard can be clearly observed through the steering wheel clearance, and various function keys are within easy reach of the front.
The passenger area seats on the first floor are divided into two rows on the left and right, with a 1+2 layout laterally, and the middle aisle, although not spacious, is enough for the flight attendants to serve everyone. The side top windows above the first floor provide additional lighting and allow passengers to better enjoy the scenery along the road. The vehicle is air-conditioned and equipped with headphones in each seat, and the vehicle is available on a sightseeing guide tape in eight languages, making it easy for passengers to learn about the attractions along the way.
There are relatively few seats on the second floor, and the roof in the middle can be removed, so that the second floor becomes an open-top cockpit. The glass windows throughout make it easier for passengers to view the city, and the inverted U-shaped roof at the rear of the car plays a reinforcing role. The vehicle was provided with 39-50 seats on demand, and the luxurious configuration was favored by those VIP tourists at the time.
The curved rear of the car with panoramic glass is very good for both lighting and sightseeing. At the bottom ends of the ship are protruding taillights, a design that makes the vehicle feel sporty and looks like a spaceship from that angle.
In order to carry this big guy, a mature Citroën U55 truck chassis was used. The side-beam trapezoidal frame design allows the rear wheels to bear greater weight, which is also the basis for the rear inverted U-beam. The front wheels are single tires, and the twins on the rear wheels are paired with multiple leaf spring suspensions.
Citroën U55 truck
The Citroën U55 truck was introduced in 1953 and belongs to the successor of the Type 45 truck, with a maximum load capacity of 5 tons. The initial powertrain was a 73 hp 4.58-liter 6-cylinder gasoline engine, or an 86-horsepower 5.18-liter 6-cylinder diesel engine. Later, a 90 hp 5.183-liter 6-cylinder gasoline engine was used, or a 93-horsepower 5.183-liter 6-cylinder diesel engine.
The Curus double-decker city sightseeing bus driving on the streets of Paris is unique, and the passengers on the bus look at Paris through panoramic glass windows, and they themselves become a scenery on the road with this car. What are your thoughts on this car for the Romantic Frenchman? Welcome to leave a message, build a building, spit out.