Beschreibung:

Colour: Grey with burgundy interior Cylinders: 4; 1,911cc Gears: 3 + reverse Power: 46bhp Produced: 1935-1938 ‘The front-wheel-drive Citroën 7… is so up-to-the-minute, so audacious, so rich in original technical solutions, so different to all that has been done before that it truly deserves the epiphet “sensational”.’ – l’Auto Journal, 19th April 1934. L’Auto Journal’s colleagues across the Channel at The Motor were no less convinced of the virtues of Citroën’s revolutionary ‘Traction Avant’, declaring: ‘This interesting car represents a courageous attack upon current automobile problems and the ingenuity and ability shown by its builders are worthy of the highest praise.’ One of the most important technological breakthroughs in the history of the automobile, the Traction, broke new ground in almost every aspect of production car engineering on its launch in 1934. Unitary construction of the body/chassis, front wheel drive, all-independent suspension, hydraulic brakes, synchromesh transmission and a four-cylinder, overhead-valve, wet-liner engine were all incorporated in the new car at a time when the majority of its rivals employed a separate chassis, cart springs, sidevalve engines and mechanical brakes. This ground-breaking specification would have counted for little had the result not worked in practice, but the Traction soon gained a well deserved reputation for exceptional stability and exemplary handling that endures to this day. No fewer than 22 different Traction models were displayed on Citroën’s stand at the Paris Salon in October 1934, and the car offered here represents one of the rarest: the 11 Normale Roadster, which was built on a longer wheelbase than the commonly encountered and much more numerous 11 Légère (Light). The car has been restored to the highest standards and the entire body treated internally with Dinol rust inhibitor before being reassembled and repainted in its original livery. There is a host of pictures taken of the car ‘as found’ and during the process of restoration, which confirm beyond any doubt whatsoever that it is genuine. Also, the vehicle identification plates have never been removed, not even during the process of restoration. The engine is equipped with the desirable twin-carburettors, while the cylinder head and camshaft have been worked on by Jim Stokes to further improve the power output. Other features of particular note include individual front seats (a period option) rather than the standard bench, and a set of five aluminium wheels – known as ‘roues pilotes’ – correct for the car and appropriately stamped. An alternator has been fitted to make the car more usable and since the rebuild’s completion it has covered approximately 4,500 trouble free kilometres. Especially rare in such fine condition, this stylish Traction Roadster is offered with the aforementioned restoration photographs, an authentic 1952 French Carte Grise, and current Netherlands registration papers. • Landmark model • Rare 11 Normale wide track Roadster version • Concours restored to original colour specification Citroën 11 Normale Traction Roadster Châssis no. 131399 Cylindrée : 4 cylindres, 1,911 litres Boîte de vitesses : 3 rapports plus marche arrière Puissance : 46 chevaux Fabrication : de 1935 à 1940 Production : 52 150 exemplaires (11 Normale) On pouvait lire dans l’édition du 19 avril 1934 de la revue L’Auto Journal : « La Citroën 7 Traction Avant … est du dernier cri, tellement audacieuse, tellement riche en solutions techniques originales, tellement différente en tout par rapport à ce qui a été fait auparavant qu’elle mérite vraiment d’être qualifiée de sensationnelle ». De l’autre côté de la Manche, les confrères anglais de l’Auto Journal, à savoir les journalistes de The Motor, étaient tout aussi convaincus du caractère révolutionnaire de la Traction Avant puisqu’ils écrivaient ceci : « Cette voiture intéressante aborde courageusement les problèmes récurrents du monde automobile, l’ingéniosité et