1952 Citroën 11BL Traction Avant In current ownership for over 40 years

Lot details Registration No: TXS 731 Chassis No: 599547 MOT: July 2024 A Paris built Traction imported into the United Kingdom in 1981 In current ownership for over forty years, since 1983 Mechanically recommissioned in June 2023 with parts from specialists Features the rare and desirable ‘Quillerry Viraflex’ steering wheel 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". The Traction Avant was introduced in 1934, just one year before André Citroën's passing. The Model 11 BL was the smaller four-door sedan, with its front doors rear-hinged, so they would open "Suicide-style"; the rear doors opening 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-litre 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. Ubiquitous in Europe, and the favoured get-away car for countless French gangster movies of the period, latterly 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. Chassis number ‘599547’ is a Paris-built 11 BL “Légère” Traction Avant, manufactured in 1952 and is understood to have been a resident of France until it was imported into the United Kingdom in 1981. Purchased by the vendor in 1983 and retained by him for the next forty-one years, the Citroën is said by the vendor to have already been in good condition including having a working valve radio and an interesting 1950s transfer on the glovebox lid showing a demoiselle advertising Igol motor oil. The Traction Avant also features the rare optional ‘Quillerry Viraflex’ sprung-type steering wheel in Grey. After seven years, the vendor decided that the Traction was due for improvement, and thereafter supplied it with a full restoration including bodywork refurbishment, a bare metal repaint in cellulose paint, powder-coated wheels, an interior refresh and full mechanical renovation, including a gearbox overhaul by specialists Peacock Engineering. Used sparingly since the restoration, the Citroen remained on the road until 2008 when it was stored off the road until 2023, with ‘TXS 731’ then provided a full mechanical recommissioning by a specialist. The brakes and other ancillary items were renewed with replacement parts as well as a full greasing throughout, servicing, and spark plugs, as well as attention to the carburettor, fuel system and tank. Passing an MOT test in July 2023 with no advisories, the Citroen is now offered as a very usable example of the 11BL. Offered with a current V5C Registration Document. For more information, please contact: Paul Cheetham paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk 07538 667452