Citroen Traction Avant 11B
The Citroen Traction Avant is one of the most revolutionary automobiles ever built. When it debuted in 1934, it rendered virtually every other car in the world obsolete overnight. The name 'Traction Avant' means 'front-wheel drive' — a layout almost unheard of in 1934, when virtually all cars used rear-wheel drive with separate chassis frames.
The Traction Avant featured front-wheel drive, unibody (monocoque) construction, independent suspension all around using torsion bars, hydraulic brakes, and an aerodynamic body with a low center of gravity. These technologies wouldn't become mainstream for another 30-40 years. The car also featured rack-and-pinion steering, decades before it became common.
The Traction's body design, by Flaminio Bertoni (who later designed the DS), was sleek and aerodynamic with integrated fenders and a low roofline. The front-wheel-drive layout allowed the floor to be much lower than conventional cars — passengers sat between the axles rather than above them, improving handling and ride comfort dramatically.
The engineering was so advanced that Citroen went bankrupt developing it. The company was taken over by tire manufacturer Michelin in 1934, but the Traction Avant went on to become one of the longest-lived production cars in history, remaining in production for 23 years with only minor changes.
The Traction Avant became legendary during World War II and the French Resistance — both the Nazis and the Resistance used them extensively. After the war, the Traction became the car of choice for French intellectuals, gangsters, and police alike. It appeared in countless French films noir, cementing its status as a cultural icon.
Multiple variants were produced: the 7 (short wheelbase, 1.3L), 11 (standard wheelbase, 1.9L, most common), and 15-Six (long wheelbase, 2.9L six-cylinder). The 11B and 11BL (Légère - Light) were the best-selling variants. Over 758,000 Traction Avants were produced before the DS replaced it in 1957.
The Traction Avant is robust and well-supported by specialists worldwide. The separate front subframe can rust but is replaceable. Body rust is the primary concern — check sills, floor pans, and rear chassis rails. The four-cylinder engine is nearly indestructible but parts are specialized. Front-wheel-drive CV joints require maintenance. The 3-speed gearbox is slow by modern standards but durable. The 11B/11BL is the most common and best supported. Post-war cars (1946-57) are more refined and easier to live with. The 15-Six is rare and expensive. Values have increased significantly as the Traction's historical importance is recognized.
Total production: 758,827 (1934-1957). Major variants: 7 (1.3L, short wheelbase), 11 (1.9L, standard wheelbase, most common), 15-Six (2.9L straight-six, long wheelbase, rare). Post-war models (1945-57) featured improved engines and refinements. The 11B was the mainstream four-door sedan. UK-built cars (Slough factory) had right-hand drive and minor differences. Production overlapped with the DS from 1955-57.