Traction Avant

Citroën introduced this car in 1934, it was an advanced design with front wheel drive, unit body construction eliminating the need for chassis and allowing for lower profile, torsion bar suspension, rack and pinion steering and aerodynamic body. None of these features was totally new and some were used individually by other makers, however the Traction was the first mass produced car to incorporate them all and offer it for an affordable price. It went through a series of refinements and various models were produced including the 15-6 which was the six cylinder version, the early years had the smaller engine rated at 7CV fiscal rating, the larger engine with 11CV rating was later introduced, the most popular model was the smaller body Leger.
There are more detailed informatin available through the LINKS page.

I found this car a few years ago in Los Angeles, it is a 1953 model 11BL, it was originally sold and has been in southern California with no rust at all, the engine was taken out and rebuilt by Citroën garage in 1968 and some minor body work was done at that time and was ready for repaint. For some reason the work was not completed and the car sat for thirty years and as the result the seat covers, carpeting and headliner needs to be replaced. Some of the trim parts such as headlight was lost and need to find replacement. Hauled it up to Montana and put it in the garage in 97, due to other projects it is still sitting untouched, I am hoping to get started on it in future after the 15-6 is done.


This is a 15-6 H, it is a somewhat rare model with hydraulic rear suspension and about 3000 were produced in 54 and 55, it was located in southern California and I got it in 2001, it is rust free but needs some body work and paint, the engine was rebuilt by previous owner however I will go through it to make sure all is well, also some modification such as usage of an alternator and non original carb. needs to be undone, fortunately we were able to find all the original parts. It sat on the trailer at a friends house for over six years, the heat and squirls ruined the interior, finally got it up to Montana in 07 and is stashed in the garage, hope to get started on it in a year or two.