1950 Citroen Big 6 Saloon

Description

Citroen's Traction Avant was introduced in 1934 and is best known for being the world's first mass produced, steel monocoque vehicle driven by the front wheels (it was inspired by an earlier US Miller design). It was very popular across Europe with over three-quarters of a million produced in several variants from 1934 to 1957, despite the interruption of World War 2. The Traction Avant series utilised a front-drive layout that placed the gearbox at the front of a longitudinally-mounted engine, joined by the differential. Available in two and four-door bodystyles, a convertible was also offered. The debut engine was a 1303cc four-cylinder, though that capacity increased to 1911cc quite quickly. A six-cylinder, 2867cc model was also released in 1938. Right-hand drive versions of the Traction Avant were built in the UK where the six-cylinder model was known as the Big Six. For all its groundbreaking engineering (the Traction Avant was said to be over 300kg lighter than other cars with similar interior seating) the cost of development took its toll on Citroen and Andre Citroen was forced to stand down and sell the company to Michelin in late 1934, as the new models were coming on stream. This didn't stop it from remaining popular, and today these cars are seen as technological marvels that have robust mechanicals and great club support.