Citroën Traction Avant

Citroën Traction Avant, 1954

Traction Avant ( German " front wheel drive ") is the common name for the first front wheel drive Citroen Models 7A, 7B, 7C, 11B (both with four-cylinder engines ) and 15 /6 ( with in-line six -cylinder engine), built 1934-1957.

History

The Traction Avant was developed under the direction of André Lefebvre and Flaminio Bertoni, who were also responsible for the successor Citroën DS 1955. On the development of the vehicle also Jean Daninos was involved, the later the car brand Facel founded.

Technology

The Citroën Traction Avant had a lot of technical features that are standard in today's automotive industry. The TA is one of the first cars with self-supporting bodies. Thus they were lighter and had a lower center of gravity than the competitors. A good load distribution was achieved by the installation of the engine behind the front axle and the gearbox before. The maximum speed of the vehicle was 130 km / h With the independently suspended by double wishbones and torsion bars driven front wheels and the rigid rear axle, which was conducted on two trailing arms with torsion bar springs and a Panhard rod, they reached one for that time outstanding roadholding and excellent comfort.

The vehicle was referred to as "Gangster sedan " because it was said to be popular with criminals because of its exceptionally good handling characteristics. Supposedly, the SS and the Gestapo and the Resistance fought in Nazi-occupied France of the 1940s thus chases. A slogan of Citroën was: La Traction Avant dompte la force centrifuge, translated: The Traction Avant tames the centrifugal forces.

1934 were presented at the Paris and Brussels Motor Show also some 22 CV with eight-cylinder V-engine, 3.82 liters and 100 hp. These cars were set into the fenders headlights. The first vehicles were equipped with a Ford engine, because of its own engine was not yet ready for production. A total of 20 vehicles have been built around this type. The whereabouts of these vehicles is said to be transformed into 11 CV and the special front parts were invariably destroyed.

Other technical features

For all "Traction Avant" sits the gearbox mounted in front of the silent block engine. The four courses ( three forward and one reverse gear ) can be selected via a shift lever on the dashboard, unlike contemporary DKW and later at 2CV and Renault 4 with its turret indexing. The petrol engines with overhead valves have an underlying camshaft which is driven by a timing chain. The distributor comprises a centrifugal governor to adjust the ignition timing to the engine speed.

The 7 CV has 1303 cc capacity and makes 46 hp (34 kW) at 3800 rpm; the 11 CV 1911 cm ³ has and makes about 56 hp ( 41 kW) at the same speed. The consumption of 11 CV is about 12 liters per 100 km. The 15 CV with its 2.9 - liter six- cylinder engine reaches scarce 78 hp (57 kW). Speeds 140-145 km / h quite possible. The body of the 15 CV differs only slightly from that of the 11 CV B (Normal); it is up to the 15 CV 11 cm longer front end the same; similar the same, the bodies of 11 CV BL ( Legere ) and the 7 CV.

The front doors are hinged at the rear of the car (so-called suicide doors), so that a comfortable getting in and out is guaranteed.

The windscreen of the car can be easily flared at the bottom, it can be in warmer weather, the interior ventilated. For operation in cold regions or winter a blind can be mounted in front of the radiator so that the engine reaches its operating temperature faster.

Technical changes

• From 1936, all models got a over the Gemmer Steering previously used precise acting rack and pinion steering.
• From 1947 a new transmission was installed in 15 CV, the engine was now right-handed.
• Starting in 1954, the six- window body was built.

1953 resulted taken seriously rumors of the imminent introduction of a highly modern successor to a noticeable decline in sales of the now nearly twenty years earlier construction. Therefore, the 15 CV could be ordered from 1954 on request with hydro- sprung rear axle (hydro pneumatic ). The model designation was then 15/6H.

Models

There was the Traction Avant in different body shapes and sizes:

• Short and narrow: 7C, 11BL ( Legere ) each as a sedan, convertible and Faux Cabriolet ( = Coupe)
• Medium and wide: 11bn (Normal) ( sedan, convertible and Faux Cabriolet ) and 15 /6 ( sedan and some convertibles )
• Long and wide ( Large): 11BF and 11BC and 15/6F and 15/6C Familiale and Commerciale (the latter with tailgate ), each with three rows of seats and three windows on each side.

After the Second World War, the hoods were replaced with lateral flaps by those with side slits. In 1952 there was the only significant change in design: The bumpers were straight, the trunk lid with external cover for the spare wheel ( " wheel model " ) was replaced by a more curved flap that a significantly larger trunk with internal spare wheel ( "suitcase model " ) released. Further, the previously top-mounted windscreen wiper have been positioned below the windshield.

The convertible was no longer produced after 1945.

Name

Often you also find the abbreviations Traction or simply TA. A "Traction Avant" ( " Front wheel drive " ) was 1934 such a tremendous technical innovation in automotive series that describes this term since this type of vehicle. Often the pun l' attraction (French for: the attraction ) will take the same sounding la traction (French for: drive ) are used. He was also known as "Gangster sedan ", which was due to its excellent road holding, because that he acquired according to legend, an ideal getaway car of its time.

The vehicle is also referred to as 11 or 15 CV CV. CV is the name of the category of the French car tax calculation. This designation was used at that time by some manufacturers as a type designation. It is often confused with the engine power ch (French Cheval- vapeur = " horsepower ").