Citroen Traction Avant 7c

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There is one thing you can never take away from the French: they always like to do things their own way - ‘Vive la difference!’.

And they don’t come more different than Andre Citroen, the gifted but enigmatic engineer who founded what was to become Europe’s largest car manufacturer by 1919. Willfully (indeed suicidally) ambitious, he was so far ahead of his time that he went bust in 1934 and had to be rescued by Michelin before dying of stomach cancer in 1935.

What pushed him and his firm over the edge was the extraordinary Traction Avant which positively bristled with new-fangled innovations. Launched in 1934, it was not only the world’s first mass-produced front-wheel drive car but also one of the first to feature a welded steel monocoque body, rack-and-pinion steering, hydraulic brakes, synchromesh transmission and independently sprung front suspension.

Considerably stronger, lighter and lower slung than conventional designs of its era, the first model, the 7a, had a 1,303cc 32bhp engine which was capable of 62mph and 28mpg economy with exemplary handling and stability. Almost immediately after launch, engine capacity increased to 1,529cc and just a month later had increased yet again to 1,628 for the 7c model, the astonishing roadholding making anything less seem completely inadequate.

By 1937, the 1,911cc 11B made its debut along with a 15hp six-cylinder of 2.8-litre capacity. Production resumed after WW2 and lasted until 1957 when the Traction was replaced by the equally revolutionary DS after an impressive 760,000 examples had been sold.

This 1938 7e is unusual in that it was sold new in the UK as a RHD example built at Citroen's Paris plant. Citroen had started manufacturing their cars in Slough as early as 1926, although when this car was produced, had not yet copied the complex Traction Avant tooling across to the UK, the facility having been set up to reduce the punitive import taxes into the UK by using 51% local content.

First registered NS 1769 in Sutherland, Scotland sometime in March or April 1939, it had lost its number when acquired by the vendor through an advert in a Classic Car magazine and has been assigned the age related plate ASV 838. As the car was in a poor state, the vendor commissioned a complete restoration, photos of which are on file. The bodywork was completely stripped and professionally repaired. The suspension was fully rebuilt and more effective 12” brakes added from a later model.

The engine was found to be unserviceable and so a later 1,911cc unit was installed following a protracted rebuild which included new pistons and liners, and new shells on a reground crankshaft which was fully balanced along with the conrods and new cam followers. The gearbox was also changed for a 1946 model which was also fully overhauled.

The finished bodyshell was professionally repainted and all exterior chrome either rechromed or replaced, along with the lovely chrome seat tops inside. The upholstery was retrimmed in top-quality leather and five new Michelin tyres fitted. Since completion, the car has seen very little use, hence the reason for sale. The vendor hasn’t dared add up the bills for its restoration, but thinks that it probably exceeds £40,000!

Featuring the best of both worlds, this pre-war Traction Avant has many of the nice early touches lost on the later 11hp models, yet now has the better brakes and more powerful 1,911cc engine of the post-war cars. Still a revelation to drive, this fine specimen is on-the-button and ready to go.

AMENDMENT: Bidders are advised that this model is a 7c and NOT a 7e as shown in the printed catalogue.