1937 Citroën 11 BL Traction Avant Sedan

1937 Citroën 11 BL Traction Avant Sedan
Chassis no. 3378271
Engine no. AW 11150
1,911cc OHV Inline-4 Cylinder engine
Single Solex Carburetor
46bhp at 4,800rpm
Front-wheel Drive, 3-speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Torsion-bar Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Fully restored, in excellent driver condition
*A landmark automotive design
*In production for 23 years
*Attractive two-tone color scheme

THE CITROËN 11 BL

Nearly every list of the most important automotive designs must surely include André Citroën's beloved Model 11 Traction Avant, which loosely translates to "Front-wheel drive". Citroën is said to be the individual who put France on wheels, and his compact and bullet-proof 2CVs were both affordable and functional, especially when it came to helping farmers bring their goods to market. The Traction Avant was introduced in 1934, just one year before André Citroën's passing. The Model 11 BL was a much larger four-door sedan, with its front doors rear-hinged, so they would open "Suicide-style"; the rear doors opened conventionally. The Traction Avant was notable in that it placed its wheels at the extreme corners of the monocoque chassis, providing good stability and a comfortable ride. Its 1.9-liter overhead-valve four cylinder engine, three-speed gearbox (mounted ahead of the engine), and torsion-bar front suspension were affixed to a separate steel subframe. Of course, as its name indicated, the Model 11 boasted a quite sophisticated front-wheel-drive system. This automobile became ubiquitous in Europe, and was the favored get-away car for countless French gangster movies of the period. Later, a six-cylinder model was developed. The Model 11 BL remained in production for 23 years, and by the time it was supplanted by the much more modern DS, an estimated 76,000 had been manufactured.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This very attractive Model 11 BL has been nicely restored to driver condition. It is presented in an eye-pleasing two-tone paint scheme of tan with black fenders, black spare wheel cover and trunk lid, and yellow wheels with chromed center caps. The coachwork includes a bit of Art Moderne styling, such as the opening hood vents and chromed trim.

The interior has been nicely reupholstered in tan cloth and gray leatherette with yellow piping on the seat covers. The Jaeger center instrument cluster contains a speedometer reading to 134 kph, a fuel gauge, an ammeter, and other readouts. The top-hinged flat glass windshield can be opened for additional ventilation.

The paint, interior and brightwork all appear to be in very good condition. The radiator shell and grille, with its pair of inverted Vees, are also in good condition. The odometer indicates that it has been driven 35,980 kilometers, although the total distance driven is unknown.

This very pretty Citroën 11 BL would make a nice addition to any collection of French automobiles, or star at a weekend Cars and Coffee.