Photo: http://www.3cs.fr/lyonel/11B.htm
For those gearheads that aren't too into pre-war automobiles, you should know a few details on the Citroen Traction Avant. This is one of the most important cars of its time, a model that has redefined personal means of transport as we know it today.
If you know elementary French, that Traction Avant in its name is spelling what this thing is all about - front-wheel drive. Of course, this Citroen wasn't the first ever FWD personal means of transport, but it's the first ever front-wheel drive car dressed in a steel monocoque. But the bottom line is that the Citroen Traction Avant introduced front-wheel drive to the masses, both in Europe and the rest of the world.
This quirky French machine is to blame (or thank) for the sea of front-wheel drive cars of today. As a general rule, FWD is a less costly solution to make a vehicle than an AWD or rear-wheel drive layout. If you're in the market for such an old school Citroen, chances are you'll find a well-taken care of example of the breed for a mere $30k to $40k. So how come this Traction Avant is advertised for $250,000?
Well, this is an 11B Coupe. Doesn't ring a bell, huh? Let me explain then - only 15 such cars were ever made, this being one of only 4 produced in 1938, the same year Ella Fitzgerald recorded a cool, jazzy variant of the "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" nursery rhyme. To boot, this car has been meticulously restored over 6 years' time, while the paint and paperwork are all original.
It's a time machine this, one that oozes the typical French sophistication that modern-day French cars lack almost completely. Mind you, before you decide that price is worth it, you should be aware that this Citroen TA 11B Coupe suffers from two drawbacks: both carburetors and the gearbox are not original.
This quirky French machine is to blame (or thank) for the sea of front-wheel drive cars of today. As a general rule, FWD is a less costly solution to make a vehicle than an AWD or rear-wheel drive layout. If you're in the market for such an old school Citroen, chances are you'll find a well-taken care of example of the breed for a mere $30k to $40k. So how come this Traction Avant is advertised for $250,000?
Well, this is an 11B Coupe. Doesn't ring a bell, huh? Let me explain then - only 15 such cars were ever made, this being one of only 4 produced in 1938, the same year Ella Fitzgerald recorded a cool, jazzy variant of the "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" nursery rhyme. To boot, this car has been meticulously restored over 6 years' time, while the paint and paperwork are all original.
It's a time machine this, one that oozes the typical French sophistication that modern-day French cars lack almost completely. Mind you, before you decide that price is worth it, you should be aware that this Citroen TA 11B Coupe suffers from two drawbacks: both carburetors and the gearbox are not original.
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