About this Citroen C15

Citroën's brainchild, the 7C 'Traction Avant', broke new ground in almost every aspect of production car engineering on its launch in 1934. Unitary construction of the body/chassis, front wheel drive, all-independent suspension sprung by torsion bars, hydraulic brakes, synchromesh transmission and a four-cylinder, overhead-valve, wet-liner engine were all incorporated in the new car at a time when the majority of its rivals employed a separate chassis, cart springs, side-valve engines and mechanical brakes. This ground-breaking specification would have counted for little had the result not worked in practice, but the Traction soon gained a well deserved reputation for exceptional stability and exemplary handling that endures to this day.

The 7C 1.3-litre original was soon superseded by larger-engined versions, the 1.9-litre 11 Legère model being known in Britain from 1938 as the 'Light Fifteen'. Production resumed after WW2 and lasted until 1957, when the Traction Avant was replaced by the equally revolutionary DS.

Built in Paris in 1954 this lovely Citroen Traction Avant 11BL has been in the same family ownership for over 40 years and has been fully restored during their ownership.

It was imported from Belgium and registered in the UK on the 8th October 1981 and since that date it has remained within the caring ownership of members of the same family ever since!

In 1983 it received a bare metal restoration and the Black coachwork was changed to Grey and non-original leatherette seats were installed. However, in 1991 it received further restoration and it was decided to return the car to its original specification of Black coachwork, the dashboard was resprayed in French Blue, its original-style cloth seats and headlining were fitted along with corresponding door cards and carpets and therefore now in the colours which the car would have left the Citroen factory at Quai de Javel in Paris in 1954.

While respecting the appearance of the car as it would have been in 1954, it has had a conversion from 6v to 12v + a 12 volt Alternator fitted, 'unleaded' Cylinder Head conversion, the installation of front and rear Seat Belts, a working Radio-Cassette has been inconspicuously fitted under the tray beneath the glove box with the speakers under the front seats, a new Stainless Steel Exhaust, new Stainless Steel Bumpers with new overriders, period-style Fog Lamps fitted above the front bumpers to act as additional indicators to the front wing mounted indicators of the 1954 specification, period-style rear lights and indicators have been fitted above the
rear bumpers acting additionally to the rear wing mounted brake lights and rear body indicators of the 1954 specification, glass domed petrol and oil pump reservoirs (believed to have been optional extras in 1954).

It is fitted with its original 1911cc 4 Cylinder Engine and 3 Speed Manual Gearbox and really does drive beautifully. It is in lovely condition throughout and the underside/chassis is in excellent condition.
It comes with a good history file from the owners ownership including copies or its original drivers Drivers Handbook, Technical Data, old photographs of the car including its body restoration, lots of invoices, MOT certificates, old Tax Discs, spare keys, old registration documents and an HPI certificate confirming it is clear on all registers.

These Traction Avant's are certainly becoming a collectible piece of motoring history and this car is being sold very reluctantly by its owner of 40 years!

Upon sale the car will be given a pre-sales service and a new MOT (although exempt) and it will come with our own 6 Month Mechanical Warranty.

Car on display @ our showrooms in Mortlake, SW London.

NB: Classic Chrome Ltd make every effort to ensure that the information in this advertisement is accurate and all statements as to provenance and condition are given as opinions only. When describing any car that is more than 20 years old, we sometimes have to rely on the car’s history file and any information provided by the previous owner(s). This information in passed on in good faith and is therefore not purported to be a statement of fact. Any prospective purchaser must satisfy themselves as to the condition and fitness for use of the vehicle. This does not affect your statutory rights.