Lot Ended
Description
Expertly restored at a cost of over £20k and only 16k miles
since; stunning condition; vast interior; runs like a sewing machine; find a
better one!
Launched
in 1934, the Traction Avant was an extraordinary car which positively bristled
with innovations. Not only the world’s first mass-produced front-wheel drive
car, it was 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
Traction Avant was blessed with exemplary handling and stability, the 1.9
versions (as here) being capable of 70mph with 28mpg
economy.
Production
resumed after WW2 and lasted until 1957, when the Traction was replaced by the
equally revolutionary DS after 760,000 examples had been sold, making it a huge
success for Citroen.
This
stunning 1954 Paris-built Traction is a long-wheelbase Commerciale with a
top-hinged tailgate and masses of interior space which made it ideal for
tradesmen, hence the name. The car's early history isn't known but it was first
UK registered in 1982 and from 1993 until 2010 it was owned by a London
gentleman who appears to have spent much of his time in Hong
Kong.
The
car was supplied to him as a project by a well-known Traction specialist in
London, the deal being that he would carry out a full restoration that was
forecast to take three months and cost about £15,000. You can probably guess
where this is heading…
Twelve
years later and the job was finally finished (2005) – the history file
containing increasingly furious letters from the owner who ultimately refused to
pay any more than £21,250 for the job due to the stress it had caused him over
such a long period. In
defence of the Traction specialist, the delays were not all his fault and he did
a superb job, the finished result being worth every penny and more.
The full extent of the work carried out is far too detailed to list in
full here but is amply documented in correspondence and invoices on file.
Literally everything on the car was renewed, rebuilt or refurbished, with some
choice upgrades including a fully rebuilt engine compatible with lead-free
petrol, high-ratio diff, additional oil pressure and water temperature gauges,
12v conversion and a Kenwood radio/CD discreetly fitted under the
dash.
From
2010 – 2015 it was owned by a lady near Edinburgh from whom our vendor acquired
it to join his collection of interesting classics. Meticulously maintained
during his nine-year ownership, it has only covered some 16,000 miles since the
restoration was completed. We are told that it drives as well as it looks, and
it has been starting promptly and running like a sewing machine as we have moved
it around on site. The cloth interior is equally wonderful and has hilarious
amounts of legroom in the rear so it would make a great wedding (not to mention
courting) car.
Supplied
with a useful quantity of spares, it also comes with an original instruction
manual, repro repair manuals, two sets of keys, many invoices plus a few photos
of the car being restored.
The
best Traction we have ever seen, it is on offer here at a very attractive guide
price and is no doubt capable of scooping some silverware on the show circuit,
should the fortunate new owner feel so inclined.
For more information
contact James on 07970 309907 or email [email protected]