Citroën Traction Avant
The Citroën Traction Avant was an executive car built between 1934 and 1957. At the time of its launch Citroën was the leading European car manufacturer and the global number two. Several variants of the Traction Avant were introduced all with numeric identifiers, namely the 7A, 7B, 7C, 11 and 15.
The 7 Series
The original Citroën Traction Avant 7A was fitted with a 1303 cc engine but was only in production for 2 months before being replaced with the more powerful Traction Avant 7B. In addition to a larger engine the successor featured two, rather than a single, windscreen wiper. The Traction Avant 7C had yet more power in the engine and boasted 1628 cc. The number 7 in the name referred to the French horsepower rating often expressed as CV, an abbreviation for chevaux. All models of the Citroën Traction Avant sported front suicide doors and conventional rear doors.
The 11 Series
Shortly before the death of founder André Citroën in 1935 the 11 series was launched. The Citroën Traction Avant 11 Normale was powered by a four cylinder 1911 cc engine and had a longer wheelbase and wider track than previous Traction Avant models but the 11 Légère, or Light, was built in the same size as its predecessors the 7 series. In the following years the 11 series enjoyed a number of cosmetic and practical modifications including the addition of an externally opening boot and a painted, rather than chromed, front grille.
The 15 Series
Due to financial difficulties Citroën was taken over by Michelin and the launch and production of the 22 series was cancelled. Instead, Citroën developed the Traction Avant 15 in 1938. This car was powered by a 6 cylinder 2867 cc engine, more than twice the size of the original 7A. The 15 Six, as it was known, was primarily based on the 11 Normale but with a longer bonnet and cooling grilles. Main production began in 1939, however, due to the war and this all but ceased until 1946. The Traction Avant continued to be produced for another decade but was finally ended after the introduction of the DS19 in 1955.
The Citroën Traction Avant has a proud history and its appeal survives today with many enthusiast and owners clubs worldwide cherishing their beloved cars. A recent un-official survey showed that as of December 2015 there were only 71 7A’s in existence with the oldest being displayed at the Citroën Museum in Paris. Despite its age though, the Traction Avant can still be seen today at dragster events albeit with some thoroughly modern upgrades. As the French would say, “C’est magnifique!”