About this Citroen Traction Avant

DEPOSIT TAKEN: 31/07/2021

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The 7C 1.3-litre original was soon superseded by larger-engined 1.9-litre 11 Legère model, being known and built in Britain from 1935 as the 'Light Fifteen'. Production ceased in 1939/40 due to WW2, but resumed both in France and Slough in 1946 and lasted until 1957 when the Traction Avant was replaced by the equally revolutionary Citroen DS.

There were a number of differences between the French and English built cars and it is fair to say that the Slough built cars were more refined and luxurious.
The main differences were:

• 12 Volt Electrics
• Starter Motor, Dynamo, Distributor, Voltage Regulator and Coil all made by Lucas in England
• Steering Wheel made by Clifford Coverings
• All lights made by Lucas in Birmingham
• Battery made by Exide
• Radiator made by Marston Radiators
• Wheels made by Rubery Owen (post war)
• Tyres made by Michelin in England
• Bumpers made by Pyrene in Brentford
• All instruments made by Smiths Instruments
• Electrical Wiring looms made by Ripualt
• Exhaust and Petrol Tank made by Chillcott
• Windscreen and Glass made by Triplex and Lancegaye
• Full Leather interiors
• Wooden Dashboards and Door Cappings

This beautiful Citroen Type 11CL Light Fifteen - Chassis No: 9-531853 was one of only 971 RHD Light Fifteen's built in Slough in 1954 and this example was exported directly to New Zealand. Unfortunately little is known of its life in NZ and it remained there until circa 1995 when it was purchased by the Ryland Brothers of Traction Renaissance Services in Stroud in Gloucestershire and imported back to England. 

Over the course of the following years the car was the subject of a full body and mechanical restoration by Traction Renaissance Services and it was finally completed in September 2010 when it was MOT'd with a recorded mileage of 37,699 miles.  It was re-registered here in the UK on 27th January 2011 and given the period numberplate 348 YUC. 

The car was hardly used after its restoration and placed into storage until being purchased by a family member in January 2015. The car has been used as a 'Wedding' car on a number of occasions since then, but it has only covered 1,180 miles since the restoration and the mileage indicated on the speedometer now is 38,879.

The car is in lovely condition with no signs of rust in the normal areas and it retains much of its lovely original leather interior which upon entering the car will take many people back to their childhoods with the wonderful leather aroma! It is finished in its original colour of Black with a Red Leather interior and retains its original and rebuilt 1911cc 4 cylinder Engine mated to a 3 Speed Manual Gearbox with a dash mounted gear change, a period style but upgraded Becker Stereo, excellent Chrome-work and it is sitting on its original Steel Wheels with chrome hub caps.

We are just in the process of preparing the car for sale and further details and photographs will follow shortly and 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.

These Traction Avant's are certainly becoming a very collectible piece of motoring history and prices are rising steadily.

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.