In the French town of Objat, a 1952 Citroën U23 is drawing attention on the town square. Behind the restored truck is a grandson reviving a forgotten family history.
A vintage work vehicle is turning heads in the streets of Objat, in the Corrèze region of France. A blue Citroën U23 from the 1950s, with its square profile and yellow lettering, proudly displays a bygone era on its sides. Vintage car enthusiasts are intrigued by the produce truck, which appears to have driven straight from the post-war period into the town center.
Behind this fully restored 1952 truck is Jean-Michel Chouzenoux. A local businessman and vintage vehicle enthusiast, he dedicated thousands of hours to a somewhat ambitious project: bringing his grandfather’s work truck back to life. The nearly three-quarters-of-a-century-old vehicle was patiently restored as a tribute to his grandfather, whom he never knew. This personal connection adds another dimension to the story.
In Objat, a Citroën U23 Revives Grandfather’s Memory
For Jean-Michel Chouzenoux, the U23 is more than just a classic vehicle. It was the truck that accompanied his grandfather’s produce deliveries in northern Corrèze. He succinctly captures the essence of the profession and life on the road: “My grandfather sold vegetables, especially peas, in the north of Corrèze, because they ripened later there,” he told La Montagne. These few words speak to the local terroir, the seasons, and the miles traveled to follow the harvest. The restoration project highlights the enduring appeal of heritage brands and the emotional connection consumers have with vintage vehicles.
Jean-Michel Chouzenoux never met his grandfather, whose name was well-known at the local markets in Corrèze. The 1952 Citroën has become a tangible link to the past. It’s a solid, material witness to family stories heard in childhood, preventing them from fading into vague memories. Reviving the truck also brings back a bit of his grandfather’s voice, echoing through the produce deliveries and sunrises on the country roads.
A 1952 Truck Restored After More Than 2,000 Hours of Work
Restoring a vintage work vehicle is no simple task. To transform the 1952 U23 into a produce truck resembling its original condition, Jean-Michel Chouzenoux accumulated more than 2,000 hours of work. Evenings, weekends, and a great deal of patience were required to restore the vehicle, which had been absent from the markets for a long time. The long-term project was carried out alongside his business, fueled by the image of his grandfather at the wheel.
The result is immediately apparent when the truck is seen in town. On the sides, large yellow letters display: “Primeur Jules Chouzenoux La Chapelle-Saint-Solve.” This detail immediately catches the eye of passersby and tells part of the story. The first name, family name, and village—everything is there, displayed on the metal, like a rolling business card. In a landscape of similar modern work vehicles, this restored Citroën U23 brings a piece of history to the road. And for the current driver, each outing feels like a journey back in time, following in the footsteps of a grandfather he chose to bring back to life, engine running.
