• Original Slough-built UK car

 • Genuine low mileage

 • Very smart condition

 • Amazing interior

Introduced in 1937, the Citroën Traction Avant was a true innovator. It was a pioneer of unitary construction with a monocoque body, it was front-wheel-drive, had rack-and-pinion steering and fully independent suspension – all things that many other car manufacturers wouldn’t adopt for another 20-30 years. 

It was produced both pre and post-war with production in France and also in Slough, Berkshire. This one is a UK-built car and is a Big 15 – a model introduced in 1952 with a longer body and extended boot for greater practicality. 

The past three owners have all been friends and Traction Avant enthusiasts, who have maintained it diligently. It’s a lovely old thing. 

 • UK-built car

 • Exported to New Zealand and reimported 

 • Enthusiast-owned with last three keepers

 • Lots of invoices

 • UK V5C

 • Tax and MOT exempt

Built in Slough in 1953, the Big 15 spent the early part of its life in the UK but at some point in the 1980s it was exported to New Zealand, where it remained until 2004. There are photos of the car in the history file displaying its NZ licence plate. 

It was reimported by a well-known Traction enthusiast and club member, who kept it for a decade before selling it to a fellow club member, who sold it to another club member a few years so, so it has been enthusiast owned for all of its life. The 47,000 miles are believed to be genuine. The car was also once featured on the hit TV show, Car SOS. 

There are lots of bills and receipts for parts and repairs over the past decade. 

 • Rare wood-rimmed steering wheel

 • Beige leather trim

 • Immaculate headlining

 • Modern stereo, CD changer and USB sockets

The cabin of this car is absolutely beautiful, your eye immediately drawn to its gorgeous wood-rimmed steering wheel which is a rare option and highly sought-after by Traction Avant fans. 

The wooden dash and delicate dials are equally charming, while the twin bench seats have been retrimmed in piped beige leather. The carpets are great and the headlining is absolutely immaculate. 

 • Older partial restoration

 • Some minor marks

 • Very smart and solid overall

 • Rare Big 6 badge

Overall, the paintwork is in good condition. As with many cars painted red years ago, there are signs in a limited number of areas when you get close of the pigment fading but from six feet away it all looks beautiful. 

There are some very slight rust bubbles on the detachable wings and a couple of minor blemishes and chips elsewhere, but overall it’s a fine looking car in lovely, solid condition and with no dents or damage. 

It has never been welded and comes with some nice additional features, such as the original Big 6 badge on the grille.

 • DS 1911cc OHV 4 Engine with 4 speed Gear box

 • Capable of 70mph cruising

 • Additional cooling fan

 • Used regularly

For a car fast-approaching its 70th birthday, the Big 15 is quite remarkable and advanced to drive, capable of motorway cruising and with surprisingly agile handling. 

According to the vendor, a number of Traction enthusiasts have driven the car when at rallies and they all say it drives better than their own car.

He adds that it pulls away from junctions comparatively (for its age) quickly and accelerates smoothly up to speeds in excess of 70mph. The brakes are strong, benefitting from being servo assisted and the gear change is reported as excellent.

This is a lovely and mostly original example of one of the truly great milestone classics, finished in a terrific colour scheme and utterly unspoilt. It’s in really good, usable condition and looks fantastic, and has been well-loved by a succession of Citroen enthusiasts