Citroën Traction Avant Prototypes

The appearance in 1934 of the Traction Avant marked a major step in the evolution of the motor car, notwithstanding that many elements of the design had appeared in other cars built by other manufacturers. What the Traction did was to combine them into a completely new concept - chassisless construction, front wheel drive, hydraulic brakes and torsion bar suspension.

In 1931, Budd showed André Citroën a front wheel drive concept car, designed by Joseph Ledwinka. Budd, in common with other manufacturers of the era, built concept cars to demonstrate the latest body fabrication techniques. Citroën had used Budd technology under licence ever since the introduction of the 10HP Tout Acier.

If André Citroën was responsible for the concept, it was André Lefebvre who was responsible for making André Citroën's dream a reality. And without Maurice Sainturat who was responsible for the engine design, the Traction could all too easily have resulted in a complete fiasco.

The suspension was designed by Pierre Lemaire and Paul d'Abarède while the bodywork was down to Lefebvre, Raoul Cuinet and Flaminio Bertoni, the latter being responsible for making scale models. Jean Daninos was responsible for the evolution of the general style of the car.

André Citroën's brief was:

• front wheel drive

• 7 CV (French fiscal rating)

• 7 litres/100 km fuel consumption

• 100 kph top speed

• four seats

• 800 kg weight

• steel chassisless 'monocoque' body

• clutchless torque convertor transmission

• 15 000 F price

And astonishingly, the Traction was developed in the space of eighteen months!

And then, when the car was launched, André Citroën tore down the old factory and constructed a new one to build the car.

As it was, the Traction's birth was followed shortly thereafter by André Citroën losing his company to Michelin and then dying before the Traction achieved real success.