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The pre-war Traction

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Traction Avant 11 BL Cabriolet de 1938

The Traction was upgraded in the year following launch, and the model range broadened – to the detriment of André Citroën’s original specifications.

With a fiscal rating of 7 bhp, the first model somewhat logically bore the number 7. Powered by a 1,303 cm3 engine generating 32 bhp, the 7 had appealing looks and premium interior finish, including corduroy wool upholstery. Powertrain-wise, however, the 7 went through a number of teething problems, which prompted Citroën to develop a more reliable version. The resulting vehicle, with a more powerful engine (35 effective bhp) and a 9 bhp fiscal rating, came off the production line in June 1934. At the same time, Citroën unveiled the 7 Sport, with a fiscal rating of 11 bhp. This model was only produced in 1,000 units but was the starting point for a new offering in the range, the 11.

The 11, designed to replace the 10 CV (or “Rosalie”), was larger than the 7 (20 cm longer and 12 cm wider) and powered by the 7 Sport’s 11 bhp rating engine, whence the name “11”. The vehicle’s handsome interior, upholstered in high-quality velour and woollen cloth, featured a three-seater bench in the front.

In the same year, at the 1934 Paris Motor Show, Citroën premiered a new range-topping model, the 22. This model impressed exhibition show visitors with its long wheelbase – 6 cm longer than the 11 – emphatic grille and front headlamps integrated in the wings. But the real excitement was stirred by what was under the bonnet. Fitted with an imposing V4 engine generating 90 effective horsepower, the 22 broke the mythical 140 km/h top-speed barrier (as championed in the advertisements of the time). Unfortunately, this vehicle was never brought fully to fruition and the management put an end to the 22 programme in order to focus all efforts on the 7 and the 11.

The next top-of-the-range model, the 15, was launched in 1938. As its name suggests, the 15 was equipped with a 15 bhp rating engine. With 6 cylinders and 76 effective horsepower, it transformed the Traction into the “Queen of the Road”, powering the vehicle to a top speed of 130 km/h. Design-wise, the bonnet of the 15 was 11 cm longer than that of the 11 and featured side louvers. The 15 had more pronounced wraparound wings and the lower parts of the bodies were adorned with fairing. This discreet design upgrade firmly situated the new version at the top end of the range.

The car was properly marketed in February 1939 – the year that France went to war with Germany.

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