Citroen - Citroen Traction Avant
The Citroen Traction Avant (front wheel drive) was an advanced vehicle with independent front suspension and a welded monocoque chassis, the chassis construction saving considerable overall weight. The original model 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 7C had an even larger 1628cc engine as development was accelerating. For the end of 1934 the engine 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. 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 cars that were assembled in the UK mostly in right had drive form were known as the "Light 15" due to the British RAC horsepower calculation, with the 6 cylinder model 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 Citroens were all fitted with millimetric 400mm wheels (which is 15.75 inches) fitted with tyre sizes 140/40, 150/40 and 160/40, with the 165/400 tyre being introduced in 1938. The 165R400 tyre size was the tyre of choice 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 high 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 highest quality 165HR400 tyre at the link below:
