Lot Ended
Description
Appealing French built 11BL variant that was hidden away for 20+
years; running and driving following a sympathetic overhaul including a rebuilt
engine; wonderfully solid and original example
Andre Citroen came from a different mould. He was the gifted but
enigmatic engineer who founded what was soon to become Europe’s largest car
manufacturer in 1919.
Wilfully ambitious,
he was so far ahead of his time that he went bust in 1934 only to be
rescued by the mighty Michelin tyre company before tragically dying a year
later. What pushed him and his firm over the edge was the extraordinary Traction
Avant which positively bristled with new-fangled
innovations.
Launched in 1934 it was not only
the world’s first mass-produced front-wheel drive car, but also one of the first
to feature a welded steel monocoque body, rack-and-pinion steering, hydraulic
brakes, synchromesh transmission and independently sprung front
suspension.
It was of course a sensation. By
the late 1930s, the engine had grown from the original 1,300cc to 1,911cc,
putting the car into the 15hp tax band in the UK, hence they were known as Light
15s here, although techically this example is a 11BL - the 11 refering to the
French fiscal rating, the B its series number and the L for Legere, or Light in
English as apposed to the larger Normale....
This stylish French-built example left the Quai de Javel plant in
1952, a French sales receipt showing it had been living way down south near Pau,
the transfer to the UK taking place in 1984, after which is was occasionally
used.
It changed hands a few times before
joining a private collection in 1999 having been purchased through an Olympia
sale. It was in fine order and was enjoyed for a few years before being put into
dry storage. The odometer shows 49,030Km which may well be correct given the
wonderfully original interior and exceptionally sound body, but we'll
let you decide.
Our
vendor (a retired engineer) purchased the car from the private collection where
it had been in dry storage for at least 20 years and set about a sympathetic
overhaul and service.
The engine has been
rebuilt with new liners, pistons, new head gasket, new seals and the valves
re-seated and set. The petrol pump was replaced with new delivery system,
filters and gauge. The brakes were overhauled with replacement slave
cylinders, front brake shoes, flexi pipes and fluid.
The coolant hoses, radiator cap and fan belt were also
renewed, the carb cleaned and overhauled with new pan type air filter, new spark
plugs, leads and coil along with a complete fluid lubrication service with all
grease points and bearings re-packed. A replacement Ducellier type electronic
distributor/ignition is included but not fitted.
A new traditional 17 AH 6V lead battery was
fitted, additional earth straps fitted, other wiring was also overhauled
with partial replacement, new rear light lenses and front indicators fitted with
partial conversion to LED and a useful hazard light circuit also installed.
The underside and internal sections
have been treated with Bilt Hamber protection products to safeguard the car for
the future.
The history file includes the V5C, a stack of invoices for
parts purchased, information on the model, original repair manual, some spare
parts, the spare wheel, wheel brace and tools plus fire
extinguisher.
Much work has evidently been done
with the car running and driving well, the engine sounding very sweet with good
oil pressure. These cars are
popular, still look very smart and are well catered for in terms of spares from
the very active owner’s club and parts providers.
For more
information contact - will.daniels@brightwells.com