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In 1934, Citroën presented their
first front-wheel drive cars and started a revolution
in auto production.
Within a short period the Traction Avant Type "7"
was developed -- a car that was radically different
in all respects to other cars of the time: self-supporting
uni-body, front-wheel drive, torsion bar suspension,
to mention only the most important features. The first
plans even called for an automatic two-speed transmission
— a feature that had to be dropped. The most significant
feature was that the car was about 20 cm lower than
its predecessors and contemporaries — with equal
or even more interior space. Thanks to the low center
of gravity and front-wheel drive, the Traction Avant
has superb road-holding.
In April 1934, production started — at the beginning
with 1303 cubic cm and 32 hp (good enough for 95 km/h)
but lots of small problems. In the same year, much better
versions with 1529 cubic cm and 1911 cubic cm (7S for
Sport - top speed 110 km/h) were presented. The car
was then called the "11CV" and made the name
"Traction Avant" known world-wide. With only
small changes it stayed in production until 1957.
The following body styles were offered by the Citroën
factory:
* Shorter wheel base called the "Légère":
Berline, Cabriolet, and Faux-Cabriolet (Coupé)
* 12cm wider and medium (20 cm longer) wheelbase, called
"Large": Berline, Cabriolet, and Faux-Cabriolet
* Same size but even longer (a further 20cm) wheelbase:
the Familiale and Conduite Intérieure.
In 1934, about twelve of the famous 8-cylinder prototypes
with front-wheel drive were built - the "22CV".
Three of them were presented to the public on the occasion
of the Paris Auto Show. They never saw series production
and none of them are known to exist today.
During the same car show, Citroën showed a publicity
film in which you can see a new Traction Avant being
pushed over the edge of a 8 m high cliff. It lands on
its nose, is thrown back, lands on its nose again, and
sits on its four wheels after rolling. Only one window
is broken, all doors open and close. The car drives
off by its own means!
By this time all weaknesses in the 4-cylinder model
were eliminated, but for André Citroën it
was too late. By 21 December 1934, the company went
into bankruptcy. André Citroën died as a
poor broken man on 3 July 1935.
Under Michelin the company developed further. At the
beginning of 1939, the 11CV Commerciale on the long
wheelbase was presented. More importantly, the Traction
Avant 15/Six was introduced with a top speed of 130
km/h and its legendary driving abilities. Its 2867 cubic
cm 6-cylinder with 77 hp gave the "Reine de la
Route" (Queen of the Road) abilities that are still
quite modern today. As the underworld also liked this
special fast car, it was soon known as the "gangster
limousine". The police with the 4-cylinder models
had great difficulties following their "enemies".
During WWII the production practically stopped. The
available cars were used by the German occupying forces
and by the French Résistance. After the war the
pre-war models were produced again, but only a limited
range was offered. The cars were still liked by business
people, doctors, and rich farmers. In the years following
WWII, most of the Tractions were delivered in black
and that's how most people remember them.
Unfortunately the Cabriolets and Coupés were
not built any more after the war. Only some coach builders
are producing small series or single items of the open
cars. In Switzerland these are famous companies like
"Langenthal", "Worblaufen" and "Beutler".
During the Paris Car Show of 1948 the 2CV was introduced.
Smiled at by all, this comfortable small car of 375
cubic cm started a long life around the world.
In 1955, we start to see the end of the Traction Avant.
"La Déesse" , "The Goddess",
was presented and the automobile world was once more
astonished by Citroën. "This is not the car
of tomorrow, it's the car of today. It's just that all
the other cars are from yesterday..." was one of
the publicity slogans. Indeed, it was and continues
to be an unusual streamlined car - with front-wheel
drive, height adjustable hydraulic suspension, power
steering, semi-automatic gear box, one spoke safety
steering wheel, and much more.
Nevertheless it took up to 25 July 1957 until the last
of the famous Tractions, an 11CV Familiale, rolled off
the production line.
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