Highlights

Participated in the 2007 Peking to Paris endurance rally: 12,642 km in 36 days
£54,000 documented spend on rotisserie restoration and competition preparation since 2004
Extensively upgraded with a pre 1966 ID19B 72 bhp engine by Peter Burgess Engineering
Upgrades include servo-assisted brakes, bespoke 16” steel wheels and uprated seats
Roll cage and 6mm aluminium sheet underbody protection removed yet included in the sale
Impeccably preserved throughout while retaining the patina accrued on the 2007 rally

The Appeal

As its name proudly proclaims, the ‘Traction-Avant’ pioneered the use of front-wheel drive, but that’s not all… It boasted a whole host of new techniques including monocoque construction and independent front suspension - features that made this little Citroën stronger, safer, more spacious, comfortable, sure-footed and easier to build than practically anything else on the market at the time.

It was originally developed in the early ‘30s by automotive visionaries André Lefèbvre and Flaminio Bertoni - paving the way for the equally futuristic DS in 1955.

There were several versions, ranging from basic passenger cars to commercial variants and a rare two-door cabriolet favoured by wealthy motorists. This Normale began life as a Traction Avant Normale, but was converted to a Roadster replica in c.1988 by a workshop in Hanoi. Unlike the majority of cars this age which seldom venture out of the garage save for the occasional car show, this Traction Avant has been put to the test on the most gruelling long-distance rally the world has to offer: the Peking to Paris.

Imported to the UK in 2004, the car was extensively restored and prepared for the 2007 centenary event. It therefore incorporates several choice upgrades while retaining all its original character. The mechanicals were suitably enhanced for comfortable 70-80 mph cruising, with increased stopping power to match. Additional protection was added both for the occupants and the car itself, with a roll cage and underbody reinforcement to cope with the challenging terrain. Issues encountered on the event included broken driveshafts and an altercation with a boulder in Mongolia meant the engine cradle had to be braced with a piece of wood! Otherwise, it was relatively uneventful and the car performed admirably over the 36-day event.

In all, £54,000 has been spent on the rotisserie restoration and rally preparation process, with an enormous history file to back this up. The car sports a healthy patina commensurate with having driven 12,642 km off-road, while the shell reportedly remains entirely corrosion-free.

For those wishing to participate in endurance events, or simply seek a supremely driveable classic Citroën, this is without doubt the car for you.

The History and Paperwork

Left-hand drive Hanoi-built (CKD) example
Converted from a Normale to a Roadster in c.1988
Imported to the UK in 2004 from Spain
Road registered and exempt from road tax and MOT
A successful participant in the 2007 Peking to Paris - marking one hundred years since the original event
Totalling the extensive collection of invoices amounts to £54,000 in expenditure since 2004
Numerous photographs from the 2007 event are included in the vast history file

The Condition

Roadster bodywork fitted in c.1988
Well-fitting convertible hood and tonneau included
Currently sits upon specially made 16” steel wheels with Michelin X heavy-duty taxi tyres - renewed in 2023 and ideal for endurance rallying
Also included in the sale are a complete set of standard 15” traction wheels for normal use with Michelin X tyres with 4/5mm tread
For the Peking to Paris Rally, a bespoke roll cage was made and can easily be refitted if the next owner wishes
6mm aluminium underbody protection was also fitted for the rally and can be reinstated as the brackets remain in place
Equipped with modern seats and instruments
Discreet indicators, spot lamps and Volkswagen Beetle rear lights fitted
The body, underside and wheel arches were stripped back to their original painted surface in 2023 before adding Dinitrol protection - no corrosion was found
The internal floors of the car have been covered with rubber matting which is loose-fitting and easily removed to be dried out
The rear dicky seat which is normally fitted to these roadsters has not been fitted in this car so it boasts an enormous capacity for carrying luggage and spares
Richly patinated paintwork with numerous stone chips and other wear from off-road driving

This Traction Avant wears its battle scars with pride, sporting a rich patina that tells the story of its epic 2007 adventure. That said, we’re informed that the shell is entirely corrosion-free, following the vendor’s careful investigation of the underside last year which concluded in the application of Dinitrol rust-proofing wax. The car is well-presented throughout, looks marvellous from every angle and we’re informed that everything functions very well indeed including the wet weather equipment.

The Mechanics

Pre 1966 ID19B four-cylinder petrol engine by Peter Burgess Engineering of Ilkeston
Four-speed manual gearbox
Servo-assisted brakes
SU carburation
Extra-large fuel tank fitted
Easy-access modern-type fuses
Rolling road tuned, recording 72 bhp - a 27 per cent increase over original specifications and the data readout accompanies the car

The vendor reports that happily cruises at 70 to 80mph on motorways without breaking into a sweat. Uprated brakes are a welcome addition thanks to the additional horsepower and we’re income that the Traction drives very well indeed. There’s really no better way to properly test a car’s mechanicals than a long-distance rally and so, with the Peking to Paris under its belt, this Citroën is thoroughly sorted.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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