Beschreibung:

Andrè Citroen had been fascinated with front-wheel drive for years and knew that that would be the configuration for an all new car to be introduced in the 1930s. The key to implementing this relatively new technology was an engineer named Andrè Lefébvre who had worked at Voisin some time before joining Citroen in 1933. Given his own work area apart from existing engineering and development departments and assigned a small staff, it was up to the Lefébvre to design and perfect the front-wheel drive mechanisms. Meanwhile, a former mining engineer named Maurice Julien penned the independent front suspension, while Maurice Sainturat created the four-cylinder engine with iron block, wet liners and overhead valves. The low, wide and somewhat aggressive styling was the work of sculptor Glaminio Bertoni and the body engineering was handled by the Budd Company. According to The Beaulieau Encyclopedia of the Automobile Somehow, Citroen managed to push the project from initiation through to a public debut in 65 weeks. Production began in April 1934 and improvements to the engine mounting within the unibody and the engine were immediate. By June 1934, the 7B model of the Traction Avant was out and it used a 1,529cc version of the OHV engine that produced 35hp at 3,200 rpm. Before the year was out, the engine was up to 1,628cc and 36hp for the 7C. This black Citroen is a 7C model, which means that it benefited from the many improvements made to the Traction Avant in 1934, although it was built only in the second year of model production. Imported into the United States some time after World War II, its trim and all has been repainted. The interior is fitted with plaid and vinyl seat covers and this fascinating four-door front-driver still has its rear-mounted spare. While not pristine, it should be possible to recommission this early front-drive Citroen and put it back on the road without embarking on a massive restoration project.