Lot Ended
Description
Slough-built RHD car; in the current ownership for 42 years; always in
light regular use; much recent expenditure including new tyres, brakes and
shock absorbers; transferable number plate
Introduced in
April 1934, the Citroen Traction Avant was years ahead of its time and
positively bristled with innovations. Largely the work of French aeronautical
engineer André Lefèbvre, it was styled by Italian sculptor Flaminio Bertoni, a
proper genius who went on to shape the equally radical Citroen 2CV and the
DS.
Lefèbvre's previous work with aviation company Voisin instilled a
focus on lightweight design, structural efficiency and aerodynamic form. He was
instrumental in adapting the monococque construction method employed in aircraft
manufacture for use on the sensational Traction Avant.
The Traction was
also the world’s first mass-produced front-wheel drive car and one of the first
to feature rack-and-pinion steering, hydraulic brakes, synchromesh transmission
and independently sprung suspension. Hailed for its
exceptional stability and astonishing roadholding, the Traction rendered all
rival cars completely inadequate, making most British cars of the era feel stone
age by comparison.
This particular Traction is a
right-hand drive model built at Citroen’s Slough factory and has the 56bhp
1,911cc four-cylinder engine which gave it a 75mph top speed and put it into the
15HP fiscal tax bracket in the UK, hence the Light 15 name.
While
French-built Citroens tended to be fairly spartan, the Slough-built cars were
rather more luxurious with Connolly leather seats, deep-pile carpets, Smiths
dashboard instruments, 12v rather than 6v electrics, bigger bumpers and chevrons
behind the front grille rather than tacked on to the
outside.
The VIN number for this car indicates
that it was built in 1953, but the buff logbook shows that it was exported to
Singapore very early in its life (reputedly by an Army officer), returning here
in January 1956 and being registered as SLE 407, a nice number which it retains
to this day.
It had four owners in Cheltenham up
until the early 1970s when it was acquired by a Mr H Posner of Oxford from whom
our vendor acquired it way back in May 1984. He recalls that Mr Posner also had
a Bugatti parked in his garage, so he was clearly a man of good taste with a
fondness for interesting French cars…
During our
vendor’s 42-year ownership the Citroen has been in light regular use, 14 old
MOTs showing that it has covered some 12,000 miles since 1984. Treated to a full
repaint, a new set of carpets and a new headlining immediately after our vendor
acquired the car, a good file of invoices show regular upkeep ever
since.
Noteworthy invoices include restoration of
the bodywork by Traction Renaissance Services of Stroud in 1997 including a
complete new floor pan, sills and door skins plus all brightwork replated as
required. The brakes and suspension
were also overhauled at the same time.
In 2007 it
had a fairly major mechanical overhaul including a rebuilt gearbox and a new
clutch kit; reconditioned steering rack; reconditioned water pump; new drive
shafts; new wheel bearings; new crown wheel and pinion; carburettor overhaul
plus numerous other more minor jobs at a cost of over
£3,400.
More recently, in the summer of 2025 it
was sent to Classic Collective of Bicester where it was treated to four new Koni
shock absorbers; four new Michelin X tyres; new brake master cylinder; new wheel
cylinders front and rear; new fuel lines; new fuel pump plus a general service
and tune up, the bills for this lot coming to just over £6,000. An outdoor car
cover is stored in the boot along with a spare wheel and
tools.
As you can see in the photos, this Citroen
looks reassuringly straight and solid, both above and below. Okay, there are a
few minor bodywork blemishes here and there and the leather seat covers could do
with some sympathetic repairs in places, but it is fighting fit mechanically and
has been starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site.
On offer here at a modest guide price, it seems
eminently usable as it is and could be smartened up over time as desired. The
icing on the cake is the London-issue number plate, SLE 407, which is
transferable according to the V5C and doubtless has a value of its
own.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – [email protected]