I’ll admit that I don’t know a whole lot about Citroens. Usually, when I hear the name Citroen, I think of the DS model with its unique hydraulic suspension and reverse Dustbuster styling. But long before the DS’ inception, Citroen’s go-to car was the “Traction Avant” like this 1953 example, residing in Nevada City, California and available here on craigslist for $4,500. Thanks to Pat L. for this tip.
When I first spied this Citroen, I thought it was a rather “cute” looking car; it looks like it belongs in the movie “Cars” and cute is not a word that I generally use to describe a motor vehicle. The Traction Avant was manufactured between 1934 and 1957, years that inspired significant styling and design changes not only in the U.S. produced cars but automobiles constructed by other world-wide manufacturers too. Not the case with the Traction Avant however, it looked pretty much going out as it did coming in. This Citroen has an interesting story but mostly it centers around the fact that it hasn’t been registered since 1964 according to its California black tags. It has been in storage since 1995 and now it’s ready for a new home.
Right out of the gate you will notice that this Citroen sits front-high and is missing its bumper. There’s a reason for that as the motor and transmission are out of the car though both components, and the bumper too, are available and part of the sale. The 1.9 liter, in-line, four-cylinder engine, which is good for about 57 HP, is normally attached to a three-speed manual transmission but in this case, they are separated and the transmission is, unfortunately, inoperable. There is a second transmission available but it is disassembled. Needless to say, this is a non-running Traction Avant (an Avant with no traction?) and will require some mechanical prowess to put it into running shape. Of interesting note is the fact this Citroen was way ahead of its time with a front-wheel-drive layout, the literal translation for “Traction Avant”.
The body of this Citroen looks pretty sound. The black lacquer finish has its shares of scrapes and scratches but there is no apparent serious damage, corrosion or misaligned body panels. The finish is a bit rough but it is passable. The very distinctive Citroen grille looks to have some minor damage to the lower-left side but it may be repairable.
Moving inside, we find an interior that is a bit worn but in pretty good shape all around, it looks about how you would expect the interior of a car from this era to appear. The rear passenger compartment is carpeted, something that would seem out of place in 1953, while the front foot wells are covered with a neat rubber mat affixed with the Citroen logo. There is no word regarding the conditions of the floors – it does have a California state of mind going for it but the condition will also depend on how and where this car was stored. That said, there is no reason to suspect a structural or integrity problem.
Here’s something worth the price of admission, this way-cool, ’50’s Motorola radio. No word whether it works and I’m not sure what signal it would draw as I don’t recognize the band declinations on the tuner screen. It’s a really nice addition!
Unusual cars like this Citroen Traction Avant are a great find. They are not exactly rare as there were about 754,000 constructed over their 23-year manufacturing span – and that includes the WW II years when production slowed to a trickle or stopped completely. As in so many cases with old and unusual cars however, this is an assemble-it-yourself project so it will take some mechanical prowess on the part of the new owner. This is an intriguing little car; are there any Traction Avant owners/former owners among our readership that can share their own experience?
I always liked these cars. One of them would look great at my place. I often wonder what happened after this design ran its course. The one that replaced this never appealed to me; it always made me think that the designers were drinking their own bath water. Now for the ideal, the 2CV…
Ah yes, the 2CV, as in “two horses”, because that’s all it had. A lawnmower could outrun it … but wouldn’t be nearly as much fun as the carnival-ride suspension. Just make sure you take a motion-sickness remedy first. (If it sounds like I’m carping, I’m really not. These cars make me smile.)
The original 2CV (Cheval Vapeur = Steam Horse«power») was rated by the French Government as two taxable horsepower. It actually flogged 7½ horses out of its 375 cm³, good for perhaps 45 mph. The “2CV” eventually grew to 610 cm³ Designed with a sturdy platform chassis, very durable motor, gearbox and suspension. Very lightweight and flimsy body. The first model drove its windscreen brushes from a gear in the speedometer case!
That dam bath 🛀 water will mess you up every time!
The staying is very dated for a 1953 automobile but it is one of the most attractive body style Citroen’s I’ve ever seen.
The radio is simply an AM (broadcast band) unit.
These cars were actually quite revolutionary, combining both front wheel drive, and unibody construction.
My friend and neighbor restored one. The lack of a ladder frame means that it sits very low and wide for such an old style car, giving it a stable, planted stance. It handles well, but is very slow.
Interestingly, it comes with a crank handle you can plug in to the front of the engine and actually crank-start it. This is the only car I have ever crank-started.
My TR-3 came with a crank and I used it when the battery died.
First and last one of these I saw was in Viet Nam. You saw them all the time. I was told they were French made. They were all black.
That’s AM band!
Right you are Dave! I haven’t seen one in so long I forgot what they looked like. Thx.
Every time I see one of these I think of either Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther movies or in the Sound of Music. May not be the exact year, but seems appropriate. I like it but don’t know a thing about them.
I had a RHD one nearly 50 years ago.Bought off the original owner for $100 equivalent.Great car,very slow and the gear lever protruded from the dash(3 speed).The gearbox is in front of the engine,with a series of rods to the lever!
Actually there is reason to suspect (or at least fear) structural issues. These are known to develop cracks in the forward unibody. TA’s are the first mass-produced unibody, front-drive cars! The transmissions are not tolerant of errors and broken ones are not uncommon and that seems the case here, which makes me worry about other hard duty and the possible fatigue cracking. Very cool cars, lovely with a wicker basket for a summer picnic with your lovely companion. I know, as I have a trusty and pretty ’49 TA, and a lovely companion, too!
I always liked the style of these. But the “slow” would be unnerving to me. Since the engine is out and the gearbox is trashed. I would find a good running Saab 99 power train and do the engine swap. As it has the same engine/transaxle layout. With more than double the horsepower and that light body. It could be just as much fun driving it as looking at it. (Some wider wheels would also be in order.)
These are not slow! They handle brilliantly and it´s just a case of keeping momentum. The gear change is slow, though, but as there are effectively only 2 gears (1st is very low and non-synchro) you adapt to it fine. I´ve had 2 and really is a fun car.
A way round the broken transmission is to fit an early Citroen ID19 engine and box, 4 speed all synchro and more power. Chassis can handle 100hp easy. Wayne´s Saab idea is intriguing but wider wheels would trash it. The Michelin X was designed for this car and they are available new.
The comments about fragile transmission are correct, never bump start one of these, but set up right they are fine. Clutch judder can be a `problem. Most unlikely to have structural cracks as feared above.
Looks like the worn interior is the protective plastic seat covers which were usually fitted by French owners to protect the cloth upholstery. All parts are available and cheap. This car, as it is, would be more expensive in EU.
If I weren’t already involved in three other projects, this would be a great home for a 340/4sp sitting in my garage. I have seen LT1 and 454 conversions, so with Peugot involved with MoPar seems a great choice for a small block MoPar with a wide horsepower and torque bands.
I always liked the look of these. To me it kinda looks like the 50’s era Anglia’s that they would turn into dragsters in the 60’s. Man, I am getting old…
Don’t feel alone LOL
Thanks BigDoc. On the bright side, at least I remembered a piece of the 60’s. 🤪
Never ever under estimate these cars !
They may not have a v8 dragster start from the lights but are capable – comfortable – and handle really well. Parts are easy in Europe (incl aftermarket) and even though this particular car is part dismantled its a steal (if it were in Europe )
point of interest-the RHD drive ones were built in Slough UK and had a slightly higher spec ie leather seats and a wooden dash
These were in the old series “ Paris Precinct “. Siren went whee-ooo, whee-ooo!
These Citroen Traction Avant (front drive) were good cars and fairly easy to repair. You still see these running around in Paris. I remember riding many of these when I was stationed in VN 1960-1962. I seemed to remember these were mostly black. This model and the 2CV were fairly easy to repair but the DS model that came afterward were more complicated due to their hydraulic controls. It would be a good project if the parts are all there by the seller. Good luck, it a piece of French quirky cars! Vive la France!
As a 18 year oldI owned this same Citroen from 1959 till about 1963. Drove it to Loyola University on the San Diego Freeway everyday. I loved the classic look it. That grill was reminiscent of a ’32 Ford. My Citroen was the Familgre (SP) or the limo version. It was several feet longer that the standard ’52 Citroen with jumper seats and an extra large back seating area.
I was lucky to get it up to 50 mph on a downhill. The gearbox stuck out the from grill so you didn’t want to bump in to anything or the aluminum gear box would be destroyed. The gearbox linkage would always getting hung up and either preventing shifting into 3rd or it would jump out of first without notice, leaving you scrambling to get it into 2nd. I put a radio in it which was taken out of a 1955 chevy, placed it the flat floor and jury rigged it to the electronics, but the radio would only function if you got the car up to a 30 mph. The windscreen was movable and that was your AC. The door open opposite adding to it’s character. It was a trip! There was a Citroen mechanic in West Hollywood who helped me and several others in Los Angeles keep this classic on the road. He was a grouchy guy, but loved the car and helped me out countless times by sending me home with instructions as to how to fix the latest mechanical issue. I think is name was something like Sweter/Syster?? I remember him fondly.
Tro oi. Welcome back home and thank you for serving our country and helped protect our freedom.1970-72
Much less cost to restore than that ’59 cad conv. I’m sure Beldar would enjoy it
If I remember correctly from the movies storied around WW2, I think these were used as Nazi officer staff cars also. I always thought these cars were unique and cool looking. It would be fun going to a classic auto meet in this. Probably guaranteed to be the only one there.
Yes. these remained unchanged from early 40s to 50s.
This was the preferred car of the Gestapo in France.
Many villanous references to in books and movies about the French occupation