CITROËN CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF THE TRACTION AVANT

Above 11 Normale, 1954. The new boot, housing the spare tyre, made its debut on the Traction Avant on 15 July 1952.

THE “11”

In October 1934, the “7S“ with an 11 CV fiscal rating changed names to “11AL“ (L for “légère” or “light”).
The newcomer was presented at the Paris Motor Show alongside an “11A Normale“, launched a few months earlier in July 1934. The “11A“ featured the same powertrain specifications as the “11AL“, but was 20 cm longer and 12 cm wider and boasted a top speed of 105 km/h. The “11A“ was available as a saloon, coupé and cabriolet, and also in two new versions with six side windows: the 5/6-seater “Limousine“ and the 7/9-seater “Familiale“.
The “11A“ and “11AL“ changed names in January 1937 to “11B“ and “11BL“, respectively. A light commercial
version of the six-window “11B“ was presented in April 1938, called the “11C“.
The “11B“ and “11BL“ changed names once again in February 1939, to “11B Perfo“ and “11BL Perfo“, respectively. The name change reflected an upgrade to the intake system, in the shape of a new down-draught carburettor that boosted performance, with power up from 46 hp to 56 hp and a top speed of 115 km/h for the 11B Perfo and 120 km/h for the “11BL Perfo“. After the war, the general public began to refer to them as the “11 Légère“ and “11 Normale“.
The “11“ models account for the lion’s share of Traction Avant production, with 620,455 units produced between 1934 and 1957.

Above “11B “, spring 1938.
This photograph was used in advertising catalogues at the time to show how stable the Traction Avant was in emergency braking situations.
Below “11A“, 1936. Built in 620,455 units from 1934 to 1957, the “11“ models account for the lion’s share of Traction Avant production.
The horns were fitted in the front wings until June 1937, and then placed behind the grille.

Below “11B“ at Orly Airport, 1952. From May 1946, the “7 “and the “11“ were equipped with a louvre bonnet, like that of the “15 Six“, replacing the bonnet shutters.

Above replacing the “7S“, or “7 Sport“, launched in June 1934, the “11 Légère“, here in a 1937 “11BL“ version, was presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1934. The horn grilles in the front wings would be discontinued only in June 1937.
Below with the arrival of the new boot on 15 July 1952, the number plate was moved to the centre of the bootlid and a new, single rear light – also acting as brake light – was fitted on the left wing.

Above “11 Familiale“, 1937. Until the release of the “15 Six“ in 1938, only the “11“ was available in a Familiale version with 8 or 9 seats and a bodywith a long wheelbase and six side windows.
Below Mylord semi-convertible “11B“, 1949.
The Traction Avant was already stirring the curiosity of coachbuilders before the war. This version, converted by AEAT in Neuilly, featured a removable half front roof.

Above “11“ Familiale taxi, 1954.
Citroën listed taxi-converted models in its catalogue starting in 1921. The Traction Avant was one of them, beginning with the 11 in 1934.
Below “11BL“, or “11B Légère“, 1939.
The Traction Avant was standard fit from 15 January 1938 with Michelin’s new Pilote tyres and wheels, presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1937.