Highlights

• Rare pre-war Slough-built Roadster, produced only from 1936 to 1940 and never resumed post-war
• Bare metal restoration carried out over seven years (2002–2009)
• In current ownership since 2011
• Annually maintained and serviced by a Classic Citroën specialist
• Proven continental tourer, with journeys completed across France, Belgium, Holland and Germany

The Appeal

The Traction Avant was a full-on automotive revolution when it hit the market. Before the innovative Frenchman, Andre Citroën, brought it to market, no mass-produced car boasted its rather futuristic array of features and fittings. This handsome machine brought together in one vehicle front-wheel drive, a monocoque body, independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes, all of which would later become essential features for the modern motorist. A few variations of the Avant were built, and amongst the most rarified are the cars built at Slough Trading Estate.

The Slough version of the French 11bL (Legere) was named the "Light 15”, 15 referring to the rather confusing British Fiscal Tax Rating of the era. The convertible model was further named the “Roadster”.

In order to get around the British McKenna duties, Citroëns were assembled in the Slough Factory with a high proportion of British components to ensure all vehicles were true 'British-built' vehicles in the records of the Ministry of Transport.

The British components included 12-volt Lucas electrics, headlights, dynamo and starter, Jaeger instruments, Connolly Leather seats and door panels and English walnut veneers.

The Monocoque body shell, wings, doors, dickie seat cover, Engine, Gearbox, rear axle, front drive and suspension were supplied by the Citroën Factory in Paris and shipped to Slough. In Slough, the factory converted the body from LHD to RHD and assembled the vehicle from the French and British components.

The Roadster model was only built from 1935 to 1940. In 1945, when the manufacturing of domestic vehicles resumed, production of the Roadster was not included as Citroën decided that the model would not sell in an austere, post-war economy. As a result, it's a remarkably rare machine today.

This 1939 car boasts a remarkable story. Discovered in the 1990s in the corner of a field with a tree growing through it, it passed between several owners before being acquired by a dedicated Citroën enthusiast who undertook a painstaking bare-metal restoration over seven years.
 
The current owner purchased the car in 2011 to join a growing Citroën collection and has since used it extensively, completing several continental journeys and, reportedly, providing very reliable performance.

The bare-metal restoration included an engine upgrade from the original 1939 1,911cc 56 bhp unit to the later 1960s-specification 1,911cc 66bhp unit, together with a four-speed “ID” gearbox replacing the “Light 15” three-speed version.
 
Oil Pressure and Water Temperature gauges were also added, together with 1-2-3 electronic ignition, twin Solex carburettors and high-compression pistons.

The walnut dashboard and door trims were refurbished by an ex-Rolls-Royce dashboard specialist company, and a bespoke hood in waterproof mohair was designed and fitted by a specialist trimming company.
 
It's a remarkable survivor, and if you're an enthusiast, you're likely already excited. This is a unique opportunity if ever there was one.
 

History and Paperwork

• Registered in 1939; built at the Citroën factory in Slough, UK
• The odometer shows 15 miles; the vendor reports that the actual mileage is 115,000
• Discovered in the 1990s in a field and passed between several owners before restoration
• Bare metal restoration carried out over seven years (2002–2009) by a Citroën enthusiast
• A YouTube slideshow of the restoration is available
• In current ownership since 2011
• Annually maintained and serviced by a Classic Citroën specialist; currently garaged with them
• Oils and fluids changed annually
• Displayed at the '75-4-75' event in Arras, France, in 2009, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Traction Avant launch
• Several continental journeys completed since 2011, including France, Belgium, Holland and Germany
• Participated in the “publicity caravane” 2014 “Tour de France”
• MOT exempt

The Condition

• Bodywork stripped to bare metal, primed and painted in 2008 as part of the restoration; the vendor reports no bubbling or fading
• Always garaged over winter and never used on salted roads; the vendor states the bodywork and underside are corrosion-free
• Waxoil applied to all undersurfaces, inner wings and front and rear wings
• Rear indicator lights replaced with adapted pre-1939 Citroën light housings
• Additional 'Klaxon' horn fitted (very, very loud!)
• Front bumper mounted fog light and spot light
• Oil pressure and water temperature gauges
• Adjustable rear view mirror for windscreen in “up” or “down” position
• Refurbished windscreen wiper motor with manual override
• 12 volt electric fan with adjustable thermostat discretely added to cater for slow town traffic
• Walnut dashboard and door trim stripped, lacquered and polished by an ex-Rolls Royce specialist company
• Bespoke hood in waterproof mohair material designed and fitted by a trimming specialist company, replacing the buff-coloured hood made for the 2007 restoration
• Period French boot-rack fitted
• Period “Pyrene” hand held fire extinguisher mounted in the Engine Bay
• 2 Litre oil can in engine bay mounting
• Pillar-mounted hand-operated period “Ray-Dot” spotlight, manual reversing light and hazard warning lights fitted
• Two new Michelin “X” front tyres fitted
• Spare wheel cover painted black to match wings and new hood
• Leather seats reported in good condition with no tears in the leather or leather cloth edging
• Seats regularly treated with a quality leather care product
• Some wear around the window winders on the driver's door
• Carpets in front and rear in good condition with some wear to the left of the rubber panel on the removable front floor carpet
• Sill and dickie seat side carpeting in good condition
• The windscreen folds flat, allowing open-air driving
• Second reversing light included but not fitted
• Slight damage to driver’s side aluminium front wing tip cover - pair of replacement matching covers included in sale
• Spare “Pilote” wheel spoke trims included
• Solid walnut “blank” included for the creation of steering wheel centre
  hub
• Solid walnut “blank” included for the creation of glovebox cover

With its rather remarkable story, this Traction Avant is a particularly impressive survivor. It's been brought to glory through blood, sweat and tears, with the paintwork and wings presenting very nicely. The distinctive Streamline Moderene lines are smooth, sleek and picked out in a handsome Arizona Sand (Beige) and Celluloid Black colour scheme.

The interior, carrying its British fittings, instruments and English walnut trim, is a very nicely kept one. As you'd expect from the era, everything is tactile and pleasingly straightforward, with the Jaeger instruments all clear and easy-to-read and the fold-flat windscreen in good order. As you may expect, there are some spatters of patina to the brightwork and around the interior instruments, but it's far from intrusive.

The car has been fitted with hazards and a reversing light, along with the pleasantly tactile hand-operated “Ray-Dot” spotlight and the recent soft top.
 

The Mechanics

• Revolutionary Monocoque design
• A four-cylinder 1,911cc, 66bhp ID engine, with shell main bearings, high compression pistons and twin Solex carburettors, has replaced the original 1939 1,911cc, 56bhp Traction Avant unit with a single Solex carburettor
• A Four-speed manual ID gearbox with full synchromesh has replaced the original 1939 three-speed unit (which has no synchromesh on 1st gear)
• Diaphragm clutch
• Front-wheel drive
• Rack and pinion steering
• Girling Hydraulic Drum brakes
• Torsion bar suspension with hydraulic shock damping
• 12-volt electrical system (Slough-factory specification)
• Battery Isolator control
• 1-2-3 Electronic Ignition
• Stainless steel exhaust system with stainless steel exhaust deflector
• New upper and lower water hoses fitted
• 12-volt electric radiator fan and adjustable thermostat fitted
• The vendor states the engine is oil-tight
• The vendor reports brakes are good and responsive

While it's carrying a more powerful 60s-era spec, this Light Fifteen is still a very characterful machine with a distinctive Streamline Moderene style and character that's tactile and gleefully old-fashioned, while still being surprisingly capable and usable on the modern network.
 
This particular car has seen plenty of use at home and abroad, during which we're told it's been consistently reliable.

The original 1940 Road Test by “The Motor” (See Photos) gives a maximum top speed of 74 mph, with the 56bhp unit and fuel consumption of 25-29 miles per imperial gallon (mpg).
 
The 1962 Citroën ID19 is quoted as having a top speed of 81mph, with the 66bhp unit and fuel consumption of 28-30 mpg.
That's still no slouch by our standards and in a lightweight, pre-war configuration like this, we're sure it'll prove very exciting

It's very, very rare that we see this come to market - many enthusiasts report less than 20 survivors in the UK - and we're convinced this one is amongst the best out there.
 

BEFORE YOU BUY