Citroen - Citroen Traction Avant
The Citroen Traction Avant was an advanced vehicle with front wheel drive, independent front suspension and a welded monocoque chassis, the chassis construction adding strength while saving considerable overall weight. The first Traction Avant Citroen was the 1300cc type 7A produced in April 1934 which within a few months was given a larger 1530cc engine and other upgrades to become the 7B. Later that year the new Traction Avant 7C had an even larger 1628cc engine as development was accelerating. By the end of 1934 the engine capacity was increased to 1911cc, this Citroen being known as the 11CV. The 11CV eventually came in a choice of the standard 11BL "Legere" (or the "Light" in England) or the longer wheelbase and wider track 11B "Normale". 1936 saw rack and pinion steering introduced to the Traction Avant. And finally let's not forget the Familiale long chassis car with a fold away middle row of seats which could seat up to 9 adults! Traction Avant production continued to the end of 1957.
The 1991cc Citroens that were assembled in the UK mostly in right had drive form were marketed as the "Light 15" due to the British RAC horsepower calculation, while the 6 cylinder model was referred to as the "Big Six". To avoid the import duty on the Traction Avant, a minimum of 50% of these Citroens had to be manufactured within Britain, hence the English instruments and so on. Not so different today really, now that the UK has left the EU and wants to send cars built from imported components the other way!
Tyre size for the Citroen Traction Avant: The Traction Avant Citroen were all fitted with millimetric 400mm wheels (which iworks out as 15.75 inches for interest) fitted with tyre sizes 140/40, 150/40 and 160/40, with the 165/400 tyre finally being introduced in 1938. The 165R400 tyre size was the factory tyre fitment up to the final production of the 11CV Traction in 1957. The Blockley 165R400 tyre is the perfect fitment for the Citroen Traction Avant models, offering great ride and handling from this highest quality steel belt construction tyre. The Blockley 165HR400 has the full diameter, as was the 165R400 Michelin, but the Blockley is guaranteed to handle better. See full details of this high quality 165HR400 tyre at the link below:
