Beschreibung
The Citroën B12 was made between 1925 and 1927. 38, 381 were produced, mine is one of the last.
The car is ‘tout acier’, and Citroën was the first European motor car manufacturer to adopt this method of manufacture. It is interesting to note that the B12 was built at the rate of 300 vehicles per day on average, and that it took almost 150 hours to realize an all-steel body, while 60 hours were needed for a case of sheet and wood in the previous models. My car body is a a ‘Torpédo Commerciale’ with two spare wheels, on either side; there is a hinged rear section to the body of the car, meaning that mounting the spare on the rear was not an option. This feature was a precursor to the ‘hatchback’, the concept of which Citroen effectively invented.
The size of the 4-cylinder engine is 1, 452cc, and as with the earlier model, the B12 was sometimes known as the Citroën 10HP (or 10CV). As well as a starting handle, it has a foot-operated electric start. The transmission is rear wheel drive via a three speed gearbox, and the brake pedal operates simultaneously on the transmission shaft drum and on the front and rear wheel drums. The suspension consists of elliptical springs on the front and rear. The car has a number of extras: an ‘Auster Screen’ (as a ‘pare brise arriere’) for the rear passengers, and a pair of valuable large Marchal headlamps with built-in sidelights, the same type that were fitted to luxury cars of the period.
Some observers of the B12 think at first that it is American. This is quite understandable as André Citroen and his engineers spent quite a bit of time with Chrysler in the early 1920s exploring the merits of ‘floating power’, a means by which engines were supported on rubber. Apparently there are ten B12s in the UK, plus another 14 B2s and B10s which are similar but earlier versions.
Restoration/ overhaul has been carried out to the dynamo, rear axle, radiator and fuel tank. This is a most attractive and rare car, full of character and in good order. A set of side flaps and a leather trunk is included.
Genuine reason for sale.
