1952 Citroen Traction Avant

The Citroën Traction was a revolutionary vehicle and it could have been, quite easily, a monumental failure as it utilized many advanced features such as monocoque bodywork, 'floating' push-rod engine, independent four-wheel suspension with torsion bars, hydraulic brakes, and front-wheel drive. The Auto Unions had used independent suspension and front-wheel drive prior to the Traction Avant, so these were established technologies (albeit, seldomly used) but the mass-production of a crash-resistant, unitary, monocoque body was pioneered by the Traction Avant. Additionally, the lower and slender bodywork was a drastic departure from the boxy and flat designs of many of the vehicles of the 1930s.

André Citroën introduced the Avant during the worldwide economic depression that plagued the 1930s, and although it was a risky endeavor to introduce such a revolutionary new model, the gamble proved successful. André, himself, was not as fortunate as he lost control of his empire when a minor creditor commenced legal proceedings against him. Within two years, new owner Michelin had paid off all of Citroën's debts.

The name 'Traction Avant' translates to 'front traction,' referencing the front-wheel drivetrain. The design was courtesy of André Lefèbvre and Flaminio Bertoni in late 1933 and early 1934. The welded unitary chassis was suspended by an independent sprung front end with a torsion bar and wishbones arrangement, while the rear used a simple steel beam axle and a Panhard rod, with trailing arms and torsion bars attached to a steel tube, which was attached to the main platform. The worm and roller steering system was replaced in May of 1936 with a rack and pinion steering setup.

The Traction Avant '7', unofficially the 7A and later the 7B, was produced from 1934 through 1941. The 7A were saloons with front suicide doors, rear conventional doors, a 115-inch wheelbase, and a 1,303cc engine. The 7B arrived in June of 1934 came with a more powerful 1,529cc engine and used two windscreen wipers instead of the single wiper on the 7A. The 7C followed in October of 1934 with a 1,628cc (99.3 CID) engine. These '7' models were placed in the 9 CV tax band.

The 11CV arrived in 1934 with a 1,911cc four-cylinder engine, and the 15/6 was launched in June of 1938 with a 2,867cc six-cylinder engine. The 11 was in the 11CV tax band while (for some reason) the 15/6 was in the 16 CV tax band. The 11 was built as the 11BL ('légère', or 'light'), which had the same footprint as the 7 CV, and the 11B ('Normale', or 'normal'), which rested on a longer wheelbase and wider track. The 11 was built from 1934 through 1957 and the 15/6 from 1938 to 1956.

The Familiale (family) model had three rows of seating and the middle row could be folded away when not in use. The 11 CV Commerciale (commercial) had an elongated chassis and was the first hatchback version, with the tailgate opening in two halves. The lower portion could be folded down to form a platform and carried the spare wheel. The upper portion cut into the roof level.

When production of the Traction Avant came to a close, they were replaced by the equally revolutionary DS.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2021