CITROËN CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF THE TRACTION AVANT

Above the Traction Avant was the first volume-production car in Europe with an all-steel monocoque body, a development that reduced vehicle weight and the number of assembly points.The monocoque body was self-supporting, directly bearing the weight of the axles.
Below the elimination of transmission components to the rear wheels gave the Traction Avant a very low and forward-oriented centre of gravity.
Shod with Michelin tyres, the car demonstrated excellent roadholding in all circumstances,

The most influential of all the innovations on the Traction Avant was undoubtedly the development and volume-production of front driving and steering wheels, on which the entire engine and gearbox system was based. The new architecture resulted in better weight distribution, with more mass at the front and less at the rear, and improved roadholding by increasing wheel grip. When cornering, the driving force of the wheels was exerted in the direction of the trajectory, thereby keeping the vehicle on the right course. This enabled the car to tolerate a higher centrifugal force and in turn allowed it to take corners faster with no risk of losing grip. But to perfect handling on low-grip surfaces and on major inclines, the engineers at Citroën had to develop a transmission system with a rigorously uniform rotating movement between the engine and the wheels, irrespective of steering wheel angle or vehicle attitude. They equipped the new model with a Rzeppa constant-velocity joint (named after the Czech inventor), to be replaced in 1935 by a Spicer joint from the USA. The adoption of front-wheel-drive technology also eliminated the rear-wheel driveshaft, which provided the new Citroën with a flat floor, enabled the rear wheel to be pushed further back, increased the wheelbase for more comfort and roominess, and lowered the position of the passengers along with the vehicle’s centre of gravity (some 20 cm lower than a Rosalie), which improved the stability of the Traction Avant.

Below the “7“ was revealed in the Netherlands on 25 May 1934 in the Amsterdam showroom by the daughter of the head of the Dutch subsidiary.
On the days leading up to the event, Citroën stirred curiosity by driving tarpaulin-covered cars around the streets on the backs of trucks.

THE “7”
Developed in a record 12 months, the “7A“ saloon was presented to Citroën dealers in March 1934. The first delivery was made on 3 May that same year.
The car’s name, “7”, referred to its fiscal rating (CV) in France. It was equipped with a 1,303 cm3 engine developing 32 hp and had an estimated top speed of 95 km/h.
In June 1934, the “7A“ was replaced by the “7B“ with its more powerful 35 hp and 1,529 cm3 engine and 100 km/h top speed. The 7B was available from launch as a saloon, cabriolet and 2- and 4-door coupé.
Also making its debut in June 1934 was the sports version, the “7S“, powered to a top speed of 110 km/h by a 46 hp, 1,911 cm3 engine and carrying an 11 CV fiscal rating. The “7S“ was available as a saloon, cabriolet and coupé.
Replacing the “7B“, the “7C“ was released in September 1934 with a larger-capacity engine – up 99 cm3 to 1,628 cm3
and power of 36 hp. Citroën optimised the car’s fuel consumption and renamed it the “7C Economique“ in February 1939.
The Traction Avant “7“ models were produced in 88,066 units between 1934 and 1941.

Above “7B” Cabriolet, 1934. The “7B “differed from the “7A” with its more powerful engine, with a 9 CV rather than 7 CV fiscal rating.
A total 88,066 Traction Avant 7s were manufactured between 1934 and 1941, all models combined.
Below work on upgrading the styling of the Traction Avant was already underway in 1935. Here, a study with a “7C“ or “11 Légère“ to fit curved-glass headlamps partly integrated in the front wings.

Above a “7A“ prototype photographed in winter 1934 in the park at the Château of Versailles.
The curve of the rear wing has yet to be finalised and the car is equipped with a single windscreen wiper, painted indicators and large handles on the bonnet shutters.
Below One of the first Traction Avant “7C “models driving up the Champs-Elysées in late 1934.
In October 1935, the two fuel tank holes were to disappear and a back-lit rear number plate was attached to the left wing.

Below For Citroën’s 1935 calendar, which included one picture per day, Pierre Louÿs, head of art and photography at the plant, drove a “7S“ from Paris to Corsica in the summer of 1934.
His travelling companions were Nika, an English model, and an assistant photographer.

Above advertising poster for the “11A“. With a more powerful engine and wider and longer monocoque body, the “11A “ was launched in July 1934.