Highlights
- Very rare right-hand drive Slough-built example
- Sought-after ‘11L’ ‘small boot’ Traction Avant variant
- Older repaint with recent Mustard leather retrim
- Current keeper since 1994
- Engine comprehensively rebuilt 8 years ago
- Voluntary MOT to October 2026 with no advisories
The Appeal
The Slough-built Light Fifteen is the 1950s car that looks pre-war but was far more innovative than its contemporaries. As the ‘small boot’, UK-built version of France’s ‘11L,’ it is the one enthusiasts seek out, and that’s exactly what we have here.
The vendor acquired this car in 1994. DVLA records indicate he is only its fourth keeper. Since buying it, he has continued to invest in the car, including a full respray in black in 1996 and, more recently, a 2017 engine rebuild. The list of work is lengthy and detailed below - it’s well worth taking your time over. Inside, there is a gorgeous mustard leather cabin that we are told has been retrimmed. The big comfy seats face a re-lacquered dashboard.
We are told that the car has been regularly serviced throughout its life and that it starts easily and runs and drives well. It is an indication of the vendor’s fastidious approach that the car has been regularly MOT tested, despite this no longer being a legal requirement. There have been no advisories since 2006, including on the current test, which runs to October 2026.
This is a magnificent and clearly much-loved ‘Traction’ and one that you can simply use and enjoy.
The vendor says:
“The vehicle is in a good presentable condition and drives well..The small boot traction avant is rarer and well sought after.it is a pleasure to drive it.
“The car is offered with spare parts and manuals.The torsion bar suspension gives the car stability in corners and bents and is renown for its road holding ability.”
History and Paperwork
- Built in Slough in 1952
- Right-hand drive model
- Registered in Kent on 09/09/1952
- 3 former registered keepers
- Current owner acquired the car on 06/08/1994
- The previous owner had work done on the doors
- Always been dry stored by the current keeper
- Small boot Traction Avant is rarer and sought after
- Comes with spare parts and manuals
- Lots of maintenance since 1994 as summarised below
- V5C in the current keeper’s name
- MOT valid to 10th October 2026 with no advisories
- VIN number 9520765
Summary of work by seller since 1994:
- Respray in 1996 in black
- Rechromed the headlights, grille, handles, boot trim around spare and hub caps
- New high velocity drive shafts fitted
- Both lower ball joint adjusters upgrade from the old shims
- Brake shoes front and back
- New brake cylinders front and back
- Brake hoses
- Brake master cylinder replaced
- Radiator recored
- Cooling hoses top and bottom, replaced
- Temperature sender unit fitted
- Temperature gauge installed
- After-market oil gauge fitted
Engine rebuild 8 years ago:
- Wet liners
- Pistons
- Camshaft
- Reground crankshaft
- New shell bearings
- Overhauled oil pump
- Water pump
- New timing chain and sprockets
- New clutch
- New fan belt
- New distributor
- Semi-automatic ignition
- New coil
- New fuel pump
- Changed the brake fluid to silicone
- Cylinder head skimmed
- Fitted with hardened seat valves and valves
The Condition
- Older repaint in black which remains presentable with points to note in photos
- Vendor describes overall condition as tidy but not to show standard
- Paint work shows blemishes in various places as highlighted in photos
- Some bubbles over the left rear wing and in other areas as shown
- Paint flaking below the rear window
- Vendor states body appears free from notable rot or corrosion
- Sills and floor panels are sound we are told
- Floor panels have been brush-cleaned underneath and painted
- Cream steel wheels with refurbished chrome hub caps
- Exterior chromework was refurbished some time ago with light tarnish to note now
- No structural advisories on current MOT
- Steel sliding sunroof as shown
- Lovely mustard leather interior has reportedly been retrimmed
- Wooden dashboard has new lacquer
- Interior window trims have wood-effect paint
- Features a Blue Mels steering wheel
- Speedo and fuel gauge are unreliable and need recalibration, we are told
- Other switches work well, the vendor reports
- Headlining shows a couple of small holes
- New headlining cloth purchased and included with the car
- Carpets are described by the seller as tired but acceptable, as shown
The Mechanics
- 1,911cc Citroen engine
- Engine rebuilt in 2017 with full details provided above
- 3-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh between 2nd and 3rd gear
- Engine starts easily, is well tuned and runs correctly we are told
- Clutch ball race recently became noisy, reports the seller
- Engine runs smoothly once gears are engaged, says seller
- Long list of maintenance work and new parts as detailed above
- No advisories on current or recent MOTs since 2006
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