Citroen B12 12/24 Tourer

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Andre Citroen was a true innovator; even his seemingly conventional models incorported the latest industrial design practices.

The B10 of the early 1920s was the first European mass-produced car. A trip to America had so impressed Citroen that when he returned, he organised his new factories around the methods of production learned from Henry Ford. In a drive for volume, he also pioneered the ‘all-steel’ body in Europe, learning some sharp lessons along the way with his 1924 B10 model; the shortcomings of a flexible chassis allied to rigid 'all-steel' bodywork caused a number of customer complaints.

For 1925, his new B12 model incorporated a much stiffer chassis, allowing for the use of front-wheel brakes and overcoming the issues associated with the B10. It used the same 1,452cc side-valve engine and a new all-steel body. The influence from America is easy to spot in its overall shape and detail design and the absence of an ash frame makes the car historically interesting.

Remaining in production for just over a year, by which time an impressive 38,000 had been produced, it was replaced in late 1926 with the B14, an altogether heavier vehicle which lost a lot of the vintage elegance of its predecessor.

This super example was registered new in London in 1927 and was built to RHD specification; a buff log book dating back to 1940 shows the succession of owners since that time. The car was thoroughly restored around 12 years ago and was clearly given the full treatment as the bodywork remains in excellent condition with just a few blemishes that have arisen over the years since then. The interior has been beautifully retrimmed in blue leather and a new hood with side-screens has been fitted. It also has a stainless steel exhaust.

Little used since, it started straight away when taking the photographs, the engine sounding very sweet indeed. It has a calorimeter fitted to the radiator and useful side-lockers incorporated above the running boards.

This very nicely presented car falls into the VSCC’s light-car category which opens all sorts of opportunities to have fun. Rare, interesting and practical, this full four-seater with weather equipment and attractive wire-wheels is taxed until August 2015 and according to the vendor, causes interest wherever it goes.