1953 Citroen Traction Avant

Citroën Traction Avant series (Saloon), 1934-1955

The Citroën Traction Avant series was in production from 1934-1955. Styled in house, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive saloon and estate range seating up to nine adults.

The Traction Avant was Citroën's first front wheel drive vehicle, as well as being the world's first monocoque-bodied front wheel drive mass production car. Starting with the 7A model, the range expanded in late 1934 with the launch of the larger 11 model and again in 1938 by the six cylinder 15/6. Advanced for its era, the Traction was built in an all new factory, initially sold alongside Citroën's rear wheel drive models but gradually the front wheel drive range became all you could buy. In the aftermath of the Second World War the theme was extended downwards with the compact 2CV, while plans for a larger V8-engined 2CV never quite reached fruition.

As well as the standard saloon there were hatchback variants - the Commerciale offered useful space for small traders, while the Familiale appealed to those with a Catholic attitude to birth control. Up to nine people could be seated in one of Citroën's largest ever people movers. For 1954 there was a new model, the 15/6H which used self levelling hydraulic rear suspension as a trial of the system that would underpin the DS which replaced the Tractions for 1955.

As well as France, Traction Avants were built in Britain - walnut dashboards, chrome grilles and obscured chevron badging behind the grille slats were the biggest giveaway features, while the 11 was renamed the Light 15, the long wheelbase 11 became the Big 15, and the 15/6 became the Big Six.

Citroën enthusiasts would cite the later DS and ID as suitable rivals, while advocated of front wheel drive might also want to look at the Cord 810 and 812 series. More modern advocated of front drive included BMC with the 1800. If you wanted the interwar look and cared not for the underpinnings, the Citroën Rosalie, Ford Pilot and Triumph Renown might also be considered rivals. British Citroëns were targeted at the Riley RM range, making this a good alternative too.