1956 Citroёn Traction Avant 11B Normale Registration Number...

Hammer

£6,000

1956 Citroёn Traction Avant 11B Normale

Registration Number: 805 XUC
Chassis Number: 434805 
Recorded Mileage: 49,646 kilometres

- Late Parisian-built example
- Comprehensive history file

The Citroёn Traction Avant was the world’s first mass-produced front-wheel drive car with a semi-monocoque body. Designed in 1933-34 by André Lefèbevre and Flaminio Bertone its low stance and rakish appearance, coupled with advanced suspension and unitary body looked particularly stylish and cemented its place in automotive history as a Gallic classic. The car was produced in various models of mostly four door saloons and executive vehicles. 760,000 units were built between1934 and 1957, with a right-hand drive version also produced in Slough, England.

This example, 805 XUC, is one of the last vehicles to come out of the Paris factory. The Traction comes with a very comprehensive history file with notes outlining how the car was purchased by a farmer from Poitiers, who subsequently left her in a barn for a number of years. ‘Delphine’, as the Traction is known, was ‘rediscovered’ in 1980, stripped and restored in the original shade of ‘RAF Bleu’ (by the 1950s people were getting tired with black cars and so Citroёn painted the Traction blue in homage to the RAF pilots of WWII). 

This Traction was by all accounts used to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the model in 1984, photographed under the Eiffel Tower and used for a publicity poster. ‘Delphine’ is running the original 6-volt system, and sports the more powerful four-cylinder 2 litre engine. Reassuringly the very recently rebuilt starter motor now operates on a push button solenoid, in conjunction with an electric fuel pump and electronic ignition. The Citroen has also had a replacement battery within the last year, and a new carburettor a few years ago. Although used regularly, ‘Delphine’ has covered very few miles in the previous 12 months. When not in use, the Traction has been housed all year-round in a dry garage, and kept under a dust cover.

According to our vendor, ‘Delphine’ is an enjoyable car to drive with a ‘four-gear on the dashboard’ lever (three forward and one reverse). The spacious interior is original and in excellent condition, so much so that the car has been in demand for several weddings over the years. The Traction will now benefit a little cosmetic TLC and some general rehabilitation from an enthusiast who would like to own a true French classic. Offered complete with UK V5C and history file.