And now, for another HOC (Hunk O Car), this time in the form of a 1953 Citroen Traction Avant. Last week it was this Austin-Healey of unknown specificity, but today’s find, courtesy of T.J. is in a bit better condition; still, it’s rather deleterious. The seller tells us that this is a project car that, “needs finishing“. Finishing hmmm? Looks more like it needs starting but the devil’s always in the details so let’s see what’s here. Located in Gray Court, South Carolina, this beauty is available, here on eBay where it can be yours for $5,000. There is a make-an-offer option, and available layaway too!
The Traction Avant is actually a pretty well-known car due to its early adaptation of front-wheel drive and uni-body architecture. Spanning the years 1934 to 1957, approximately three-quarters of a million were produced covering four different body styles. The four-door sedan, such as this example, however, seems to be the most common.
The listing has a lot of words but says little about the car. It’s bent, dented, rusty, patched, and minus many exterior parts. Based on how “scrubbed” the exterior is, it does look as if a redo was started and then the perpetrator decided to fuggedaboutit. The front end is a hard one to figure out, it looks like it got hooked on something and then the driver mashed on the accelerator while in reverse.
The interior is hard to describe, it looks like a Midas muffler shop in there. It’s not clear what kind of shape the upholstery is in because so much of it is obscured by detritus. From what can be spied, however, it may be in fair nick, just very dirty. The dash and instrument panel, with the odd, bent three-speed gear shifter, is an attention-getter. The interior says little about the floor condition but the underside images reveal a sound-looking structure.
Power, when running, comes about courtesy of a 58 HP, 1.9 liter, in-line four-cylinder engine. There are various and different parts strewn around under the hood and I imagine that it’s a safe bet that this Traction Avant hasn’t performed any self-motivation since Charles DeGaulle was in office.
The seller admonishes, “If this Classic is the vehicle of your dreams then the best time to buy it is BEFORE someone else does. NOW is the time. The customer who MAY have looked at it yesterday and said I will buy it tomorrow MAY come back and buy it today while you are waiting to buy it tomorrow. Do not wait another minute“. I really don’t think prospective buyers are going to be lining up, cash in hand, waiting to plunk down a deposit on this tired old Traction Avant, do you?
Never have seen a Citroen with ’39 Chevy tail lights before. As for what to do with it,I wouldn’t know where to start. “Needs everything” doesn’t even apply to this car.
Yes, but most of that could probably be buffed out.
Some of the people looking at it probably are scrap dealers.What a joke seller.
I was at this deal last year, and this car is in the same place it was then, ain’t nobody lining up to buy this. You would have to REALLY want a Traction Avant to take on this project!!
Did they use a blow torch to scrape the paint off this French fried relic?
I’m not a Cit fan, but I do like this style. It’s a shame it’s in such poor condition. I bet it was a beaut back when it was new. I just looked it up and I really like the style, and again, too bad it was allowed to fall into such disrepair.
It needs to be finished…off…and rest in pieces.
This guy in Grey Court sells rust and wants gold for it. No thanks.
The front end looks odd because they just threw the hood, grille, and fenders onto it for pictures. Nice ones show up on BringATrailer for reasonable money.
Twin Carb version!
If I had that I would soup it up real good and put on a 4 barrel carbarrell and paint it primer gray. Then a nice set of wire wheels to improve the handling and I would be all set.