1937 Citroën 11BN 'Traction' Roadster

1937 Citroën 11BN 'Traction' Roadster
Chassis no. 123786
Engine no. 4MPVB78

*Landmark French pre-war Citroën model
*Rare and sought after soft-top version
*Owned by the vendor's family since 60 years

A curious mixture of romantic visionary and practical businessman, André Citroën was determined that economic depression and a contracting car market would not prevent him introducing a revolutionary new model, which he was convinced would ensure the future of his company. It did just that, but not until after Citroën had lost control of his empire when a minor creditor commenced legal proceedings against him. Within two years, new owner Michelin had paid off all of Citroën's debts.

Citroën's brainchild, the 7C 'Traction Avant', broke new ground in almost every aspect of production car engineering on its launch in 1934. Unitary construction of the body/chassis, front wheel drive, all-independent suspension sprung by torsion bars, hydraulic brakes, synchromesh transmission and a four-cylinder, overhead-valve, wet-liner engine were all incorporated in the new car at a time when the majority of its rivals employed a separate chassis, cart springs, sidevalve engines and mechanical brakes. This ground-breaking specification would have counted for little had the result not worked in practice, but the Traction soon gained a well-deserved reputation for exceptional stability and exemplary handling that endures to this day. The 1.3-litre original was soon superseded by larger-engined versions and from 1935 there were two four-cylinder models available - the 1,628cc 7C and 1,911cc 11CV - to which was added a 2.9-litre 'six' - the 15 - in 1938. Production resumed after WW2 and lasted until 1957 when the 'Traction Avant' was replaced by the equally revolutionary 'DS'.

A superb example of one of Citroën's rarest and most sought-after models - there were no soft-top 'Tractions' after WW2 - this 11BN Cabriolet has been in the current owner's family's possession since its purchase in the Nantes area in 1955. The current owner whose family originate from that region is Alain Dominique Perrin, former head of the board of Cartier International, current Executive Director of the Richemont Group, and president and founder of the Fondation Cartier pour l'Art Contemporain. Finished in black/Burgundy with beige leather interior, the car is offered with sundry invoices, French Carte Grise and Contrôle Technique (issued June 2015). It should be noted that the 'Pilotes' wheels are not original equipment.