"The Traction Avant, French for "front wheel drive", was
designed by
André Lefèbvre and
Flaminio
Bertoni in late 1933. It was the world's first front-wheel drive
steel monocoque production car.
"The Traction Avant used a longitudinal, front-wheel drive layout,
with the engine set well within the wheelbase. The gearbox was
placed at the front of the vehicle with the engine behind it and the
differential between them. The gear change was set in the dashboard.
The result of this was a very spacious interior, with a flat and
unobstructed floor.
"Left-hand drive versions were built in Paris, and right-hand drive
cars in Slough (yes, SLOUGH!!!), England. The Slough version of the
11L was called the 'Light Fifteen'. They were equipped with the
leather seats and wooden dashboards (popular in the UK at that
time), had a 12-volt electrical system and were distinguished by a
different radiator grille and different bumpers. Built between
1934-1957, there were hardly any changes during production.....just
a change of louver's on the bonnet, and a larger boot.
"Our
Citroen Light Fifteen is a post war example, built in Citroen's
Slough factory. The factory opened in 1923, and closed during
the mid 1960s.
"Our car
was exported to South Africa and became a museum exhibit for a
Citroen fanatic. He sadly died in 1990 and the family sent our
car back to the UK with just 362 miles on the clock!
"Today,
the mileage is now just under 17,000 miles from new, with a fully
documented history. It is in original unrestored condition." |
