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Citroën Traction Avant Slough UK

© Copyright: J.Cats.

Differences with the french produced cars
  • 12V electricals.
  • Radiator made by Merston.
  • Starter made by Lucas.
  • Dynamo and voltage regulator made by Lucas.
  • Distributor and coil made by Lucas.
  • Steering wheel made by Clifford Covering.
  • All lights made by Lucas.
  • Battery made by Exide.
  • Wheels made by Rubery-Owen (post war).
  • Tyres made by Michelin in England.
  • Bumpers made by Pyrene.
  • All instruments made by Smiths Instruments.
  • Electrical equipment made by Ripualt.
  • Exhaust made by Chillcott.
  • Fueltank made by Chillcott.
  • Screens made by Triplex and Lancegaye.
  • Chromed grill for all years except 1936.
  • Leather interior.
  • Wood on the dashboard.

Serial numbers and production figures:

YearTypeSerial numberProd.
19357A Super Modern Twelve100 000
11A 15HP115 501
11L 15HP121 501
19367A1 Twelve101 351
11A1 Fifteen115 651
19377C Twelve102 501
11CL Light Fifteen122 001
11C Fifteen116 001
19387C2 Twelve102 501
11CL2 Light Fifteen122 201
11C2 Fifteen116 101
19397C3 Twelve103 301
11CL3 Light Fifteen122 551
11C3 Fifteen116 201
19407CP Twelve standard105 001
7C4 Twelve de luxe106 001
11CLP Ligth Fifteen standard124 001
11CL4 Light Fifteen de luxe125 001
11C4 Fifteen116 501
15C4 Six118 001
194611CL5 Light Fifteen126 001 - 127 1991199
194711CL? Light Fifteen127 200 - 129 0371838
194811CL6 Light Fifteen129 038 - 131 5222485
Six Cylinder118 051 - 118 0577
1949Light Fifteen131 523 - 133 37418
Light Fifteen LHD135 001 - 135 06868
Six Cylinder118 058 - 118 292235
1950Light Fifteen133 375 - 135 000
136 001 - 136 3771963
Light Fifteen LHD135 069 - 135 178110
Six Cylinder118 293 - 118 662370
1951Light Fifteen136 338 - 138 9082571
Light Fifteen LHD135 276 - 135 27597
Big Fifteen116 571 - 116 5722
Six Cylinder118 663 - 118 572313
1952Light Fifteen9/520 001 - 9/521 224244
Light Fifteen LHD135 276 - 135 31015
Big Fifteen9/525 001 - 9/525 07675
Six Cylinder9/527 501 - 9/527 629129
1953Light Fifteen9/530 001 - 9/531 5981598
Light Fifteen LHD135 311 - 135 3177
Big Fifteen9/535 001 - 9/535 428428
Six Cylinder9/537 501 - 9/537 59494
1954Light Fifteen9/531 599 - 9/532 569971
Light Fifteen LHD9/135 318 - 9/135 3247
Big Fifteen9/535 429 - 9/535 839411
Six Cylinder9/537 595 - 9/537 62329
Six "H"9/547 001 - 9/547 0022
1955Light Fifteen9/550 001 - 9/550 717717
Big Fifteen9/655 001 - 9/655 111111
Big Fifteen Family9/557 001 - 9/557 02525
Six "H"9/557 501 - 9/557 575  75

History

General
Some french models were never produced or sold in the UK. These models are the 11 Normale / Big Fifteen Coupe and the Commerciale. Familiales / Family models were only sold pre war and never with the Six Cylinder engine.

1934
The Twelve is produced as saloon, roadster and fixed head coupe. These cars are fitted with the 72x80 7A engine. Production starts in September, by the end of 1934 the Sport 12 with 1911cc engine is produced as well.

1935
On February 20th, 2 new models are introduced. The Fifteen with 5 (Saloon) or 7 seats (Family). Late September the dashboard is modified and gets a illumination limiting device. Also new is the bootlid. The license plate is moved to the bumper, but a few months later it is moved to the right rear wings.

1936
In September the 6 bolt wheels are replaced by 5 bolt ones. In November the speedo is moved from the middle of the dash to behind the steering wheel. The bumpers are now straight (no longer curved), the grille is chromed again.

1937
In August the horns or moved from the grilles in the wings to the top of the gearbox. The Moleskin roof of the Twelve is replaced by a fully steel roof. The Sport Twelve is now called Light Fifteen.

1938
Two new models are the Popular Twelve and Fifteen. These are RHD cars produced in France to french specification and sold in the UK. Also new are the Pilote wheels for all cars. The Family now gets the same rear doors as the Saloon. The Fixed Head Coupe is no longer available.

1939
From May onwards the "Popular" models are now produced in Slough to UK specification. On the roadsters, the windscreen can no longer be put flat. In August the Perfo engine arrives. Also new are the Big Fifteen Roadster and the Six Cylinder saloon.

1946-1947
Only the Light Fifteen is being built. In 1947 one Fixed head coupe is built using a pre war body shell.

1948
Some modifications. The windscreen wipers are now fitted on the bottom of the windscreen. New rounded pressed steel bumpers. The wheels are now Rubery Owen ones. The chevrons are fitted to the back of the grille. In September the Six Cylinder reappears.

1949-1950

1951
American style overriders on the bumpers Winged crank hole cover. Fog lights and sliding sunroof optional.

1952
In September the Big Fifteen returns and all models get the big boot.

1953
Heater controls on the dashboard. New exhaust system. Automatic indicators. Two small Lucas lights on the rear wings.

1954
The Six Cylinder gets a new dashboard with round instruments.

1955
The Six Cylinder is now available with Hydraulic rear axle. 25 Big Fifteen Family cars are produced and exported to Australia. This year the production of the Traction is ceased in Slough.


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