1953 Citroen Traction Avant Big 15
auctions.single.seller.popular
auctions.single.seller.view-count
auctions.single.seller.images
Highlights
- RHD built in Slough for export
- Electric power steering fitted
- Exported to new Zealand and owned by French Embassy
- Re-imported and fully restored in the UK in 2004
- Owned by a Traction Owner’s Club committee member, a well known and genuine car
- Power steering upgrade
The Appeal
Over a 23 year production period 759,111 Traction Avants were built, 26,400 of them in the UK at Slough. This was essentially a way round paying import taxes. The Slough built cars were nearly all right hand drive and had to have 51 percent UK sourced parts to qualify as “Made in Great Britain”. The Slough-built cars, referred to as Light 15s or Big 15s, used 12-volt Lucas electrics, headlights, dynamo and starter.
The interior had a walnut dash board with Jaeger instruments, Connolly leather seats and door panels and a wool headlining. The exterior was fitted with slightly different bumpers and a revised chrome grille. The Big 15 had a slightly lengthened wheelbase and a larger boot giving far more rear legroom and better luggage capacity even with a properly stowed spare wheel.
The interior had a walnut dash board with Jaeger instruments, Connolly leather seats and door panels and a wool headlining. The exterior was fitted with slightly different bumpers and a revised chrome grille. The Big 15 had a slightly lengthened wheelbase and a larger boot giving far more rear legroom and better luggage capacity even with a properly stowed spare wheel.
Technically ahead of its time in period, and now recognised for their driveability, simple mechanics and Gallic charm, Slough built right hand drive Traction Avants are the pick of the bunch.
History and Paperwork
- Built in June 1953 in Slough as RHD for export
- Sold and first registered in New Zealand in 1954
- First purchased by the French Embassy in New Zealand
- Purchased and imported to the UK in 2004
- Power Steering installed
- UK Registered 17th may 2004
- Fully restored by first UK owner
- Passed first UK MoT in May 2004 at 13,338 miles
- Driven extensively by the first UK owner, a committee member of the Traction Owners Club
- Purchased by the Seller (third UK owner)in July 2022
- V5c In Seller’s name
- Used sparingly, 50mile trips, shows and locally
- Some old Mot Certificates on file
- Certificate of Authenticity from the Traction Owners Club
- Large history folder of invoices and receipts
- Invoices from first UK owner
The Interior
- Cream leather bench seats with armrests all in excellent condition
- Clean Beige carpets in rear (matching new front carpet with car ready to be fitted)
- Clean and tidy roof lining
- Smart walnut dash with no damage
- Correct Jaeger instruments
- Additional oil and temperature gauge mounted below dash
- USB socket
- Sony CD/Radio with removable fascia
- Bluemel’s Brooklands banjo type steering wheel
- Front seat belts
- Tidy boot fitted with period storage box (complete with July 1973 newspaper lining!)
- Spare wheel and jack plus tools
The Exterior
- Presentable black paint with minor micro bubbles in places, particularly on boot
- All glass and lenses in excellent condition, with additional working driving lamps
- Correct black painted steel wheels
- Fitted with Michelin tyres, part worn on rear, new on front
- Correct chrome Slough grille and chrome bumpers with overiders
- Flashing indicators
- Reversing lamp
The Mechanics
- Power Steering
- Recent full service including engine and gearbox oil changes
- Fitted with electric power steering
- New brake master cylinder and servo
- Twin carburettors cleaned and retuned
- New battery
- Exhaust replaced in 2021
- Impressively clean and corrosion free underside
- Presentable engine bay with evidence of new parts and wiring
- Starts easily and runs well, easy to drive
Summary
Amongst the various models built at Citroens Slough factory the “Big 15” Traction Avant is probably the most practical and attractive of the series.
The enlarged boot allows a decent amount of luggage to be carried and the lengthened wheelbase vastly improves rear legroom.
Attractive and stylish they are popular as wedding cars as there is space for the biggest of wedding dresses! With the advantage of right hand drive and the convenience of the power steering, they are easy and fun to drive on British roads and an ideal family classic.
The enlarged boot allows a decent amount of luggage to be carried and the lengthened wheelbase vastly improves rear legroom.
Attractive and stylish they are popular as wedding cars as there is space for the biggest of wedding dresses! With the advantage of right hand drive and the convenience of the power steering, they are easy and fun to drive on British roads and an ideal family classic.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1953
- Make Citroen
- Model Traction Avant Big 15
- Colour Black
- Odometer 69,421 Miles
- Engine size 1911
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Hindhead
- Location Hampshire
- Country United Kingdom
28
bids
- Mr•••• £17,500 22/12/22
- wi•••• £17,250 22/12/22
- te•••• £17,000 22/12/22
- wi•••• £16,750 22/12/22
- te•••• £16,500 22/12/22
- wi•••• £16,250 22/12/22
- te•••• £16,000 22/12/22
- wi•••• £15,750 22/12/22
- te•••• £15,500 22/12/22
- wi•••• £15,250 22/12/22
The Gallery
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
- If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
- If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
-
- Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
- We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
| Bid Amount | Increment |
|---|---|
| £0 to £9,999 | £100.00 |
| £10,000 to £49,999 | £250.00 |
| £50,000 to £99,999 | £500.00 |
| £100,000 + | £1,000.00 |
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.