1952 Citroen T/A - Barn Find Cars - 1:18 DIECAST - Vietnam

1952 Citroen T/A - Barn Find Cars - 1:18 DIECAST - Tet victim

Why Citroen Down?

“Citroen Down” commemorates a Citroen that likely suffered a fatal blow in the Tet Offensive on Saigon, Vietnam in early 1968.

A taxi ride south of Saigon in 1971 revealed an old Citroen T/A that had not just been parked and abandoned but likely had a horrific story to tell. Riddled with bullet holes and parked near an abandoned and disabled US Army tank. To me, this Citroen” not only marked the French influence on South Viet Nam but the turn in the history of the city that would soon be renamed Ho Chi Minh City. Probably not what some wanted for their prized city!”

As a child growing up, I really enjoyed learning about automobiles, but in my young mind the French had little to offer in this vein! Renaults, like the Dolphin my uncle had as a lawn ornament, didn’t seem like real rolling stock! In my opinion, Citroen’s were placed in the same junk pile, even though I was seriously negligent in understanding the brand and the engineering firsts it accomplished!

While the Citroen T/A had a great design plan with its front wheel drive, independent suspension, V6 Power, and luxurious (for its time) ornamentations, this Citroen’ received more than it bargained for. I can only assume it never became road worthy again as it appeared the grill had encountered a machine gunning that likely penetrated the radiator and engine block. The doors had received some of the same ill treatment making surviving the onslaught seem a little challenging!

What story did the bullet holes tell of? What happened to the occupants? Did they live to tell their version of the events. I’m guessing the beneficiaries of this raking were not survivors and at best were given the opportunity to be indoctrinated into a new political philosophy. Again, only an assumption, but probably not a happy ending either way, as the Citroen T/A was utilized mostly by the elite and corresponding officer corps. A group that demanded a nicer form of transportation than the peasants and shopkeepers they were “fighting” for.

This is a very realistic looking project that is designed to enhance your home or office collection with a strange type of art!

Craig Fischer



Model Car Artist
Junkyard Model Cars

A highly detailed and custom built 1:18 scale model that will turn heads in your display or diorama. Built to commemorate a Citroen T/A that likely suffered destruction during the Tet Offensive on Saigon, South Vietnam in 1968! 

Rusted using a multi step rusting process that creates a real rust patina which causes the truck to stand out in your collection.

Don’t be fooled by others that use paint instead of real rust which takes longer but is worth it! You will se the difference between artistic work and a cheap knockoff. Don’t end up with a painted toy because it’s was cheap! It will look cheap forever! Get an investment quality art piece that has been detailed inside, outside, underneath and well done.

My work is never hidden with some glued on foliage to mask the lack of detail! Includes an attached authentication tag that is also signed by the artist.