Highlights
- Rare and very exquisite RHD British-built (Slough) roadster
- Eminently reliable, having been driven and serviced frequently in recent years
- Elegance and engineering excellence in equal measure
The Appeal
Combining elegant cabriolet styling with André Citroën’s revolutionary monocoque construction, independent front suspension and front-wheel drive, the Traction Avant Twelve Cabriolet is amongst the most exquisite automotive creations of the pre-war era.
Having undergone mechanical restoration and a judicious servicing regime, this 1939 Cabriolet is amongst the healthiest specimens on the road today. As a right-hand drive Slough-built example, this is one of only an estimated 150 roadsters manufactured in the UK.
With the mass-produced saloon-bodied Traction Avants affectionately nicknamed “la reine de la route” or “the queen of the road”, that must surely make these graceful cabriolets the empresses of the Citroën family.
The History and Paperwork
- Produced by Citroën’s Slough factory in 1939
- Understood to be a matching numbers example
- Early history is not known
- Lived in Sweden until 2004 until purchased by the present owner from Artcurial in 2015
- Numerous hand-written invoices for work completed during vendor’s ownership
- Great quantities of work completed before and during the vendor’s ownership
- Parked in a heated and ventilated building
- Extensive work carried out to brakes, axles, the ignition and fuel systems, upholstery and paintwork
- Restoration carried out between 2015 and 2018 by specialist workshops
The Interior
- Wooden dashboard
- Rumble seat
- Restored and reupholstered
Sitting in this Citroën, the interior space is quite snug, although there is no intrusion from a transmission tunnel and with the roof down the cabin is light and airy.
Denoting that this as a Slough built example, there is a wooden dashboard which holds the handsome Jaeger instruments. Positioned under the dash, this example has also been fitted with a temperature gauge at some point which is reassuring to have. We are informed that the fuel gauge is currently inoperable, so will require some work or perhaps replacement.
The seats have been reupholstered in blue leather and look to be quite smart. The vendor points out a stain on the passenger’s seat squab, although we believe this could be rectified quite easily. The blue carpeting and door cards display the odd blemish here and there but present really well overall.
Protruding from the left-hand side of the dash, the drooping gear lever has an esoteric appearance, but actually falls to hand very readily.
The car has a dicky seat and hence no boot, but does have a spare wheel concealed under a cover.
This example also benefits from Brooklands aero screens, which lend a real sporting feel to the driving experience when the windshield is folded down.
The Exterior
- New soft-top roof and tonneau cover
- Old English White paintwork
- Light patination
The vendor states that the paintwork is pleasingly weathered, a statement we would wholeheartedly agree with. There is a delightful light patination across the car, which displays a few marks here and there from regular use but no damage or corrosion.
The front mud flaps bear multiple splits and would benefit from replacement and the nearside running board plate has a corner missing. The bodywork and brightwork is however in very good order and presents very well indeed. A glance underneath reveals this Citroën to be very solid, with no corrosion or damage we could discern.
The vendor informs us that the blue folding roof is new and operates smoothly. There is also a fitted tonneau cover which is reportedly free from damage.
We particularly enjoy the French specification yellow headlamps and spotlights, which emit a warm amber glow when switched on. Trafficators too, are a charming period feature.
The "Pilote" wheels are finished to match the body colour and fitted with smart chrome hubcaps. The vendor informs us that the Michelin X tyres are in good condition with ample tread remaining.
The Mechanics
- Uses no oil or coolant
- Runs faultlessly
- 1529cc 4-cylinder engine
- 12V electrical system
We are informed that this Traction Avant is in excellent order mechanically, always being eager to start and running faultlessly at a steady temperature.
The vendor informs us that the car is equally content on long and short journeys and drives excellently. It accelerates well through the gears and brakes well in a straight line. No wonder, given the substantial work carried out on the car since 2015 to make it reliable. This includes for example new brake drums to the correct specification, a new fuel pump and complete fuel tank treatment, new synchros and final drive ring and pinion gears, a new distributor, complete overhaul of the Solex carburettor and its flex and rigid fuel lines etc. A lot of money was spent on this Traction in recent years.
The 1529cc 4-cylinder engine is a robust unit which provides the Traction Avant with more than adequate acceleration, without being overly stressed. We are told that this example does not emit any smoke from the exhaust and is free from leaks.
Summary
This rare and achingly beautiful Citroën would make a wonderful addition to any collection. Finished in an understated colour scheme and wearing a light cosmetic patina, it is unashamedly stylish without being at all garish.
It is guaranteed to impress wherever it goes and more importantly is far more likely to get there, as it leaves many other pre-war classics broken down by the wayside.
With so few examples in existence today, this is certainly not an opportunity to miss.
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