CITROËN CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF THE TRACTION AVANT

THE PRESIDENTIAL MODELS

On his election on 16 January 1954, French President René Coty ordered a state vehicle from the coachbuilder Marius Franay. Built on the base of a “15 Six H“ Familiale model, equipped with hydropneumatic suspension at the rear, it was the last car to be produced at the workshops of the prestigious French coachbuilder.

Above General de Gaulle, a big fan of the Traction Avant since 1940, was more than satisfied with his two presidential “15 Six“ models. Here, the Franay Limousine at the opening of the 1960 Paris Motor Show at the Grand Palais
Below the presidential Traction Avant was officially presented to René Coty at the Élysée Palace on 10 November 1955. A few weeks earlier, it had been the star of the coachbuilder Franay’s stand at the Paris Motor Show.

Below General de Gaulle in a Traction Avant convertible built by Chapron. In the background is the Limousine model produced by Franay a year earlier.

René Coty ordered a second presidential vehicle. With Marius Franay having closed down, it was Henri Chapron who took care of the order, using the same long wheelbase as the previous vehicle, a “15 Six H“. This Traction Avant, the only one of its kind, was delivered on 3 October 1956 with the number plate 1 EN 75, changed to 1 PR 75 in 1958 and 7 PR 75 with the arrival of the impressive Chapron presidential DS in November 1968.

Above General de Gaulle changed the number plate of the Franay Limousine from 1 FK 75 on delivery in November 1955, to 2 PR 75 on 30 September 1959. This was the first of the initial series of 100 PR 75 platesreserved for the official cars of the French presidents.

AT EASE IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES…

For more than 20 years the Traction Avant was the standardsetting car across all social classes, for high-profile personalities, gangsters, families and elegant dandies alike. It earned that reputation on the strength of its unrivalled roadholding, top speed, comfort and incomparable styling, which made it at ease in all circumstances and on all surfaces, including:

IN THE CITY…

Above 1955, Place de la Concorde, Paris. The Traction Avant is omnipresent. In the foreground, one of the French Air Force’s “11 Légère“ vehicles.

IN THE COUNTRY

Above Prototype « 11 Commerciale » 1937.

With a payload of 500 kg, the “11C“, or “11“ Commerciale, light commercial vehicle was launched in autumn 1938.
The model photographed here, equipped with Michelin Stop tyres, is a prototype. A real multi-function vehicle adapting to the needs of motorists, the “11C“ was fitted either with a fake flat floor with two positions or with an easily-removed rear bench to provide up to five comfortable seats.

Above to increase the load volume of the “11C“ the lower – and removable – part of the tailgate could be placed in “fodder” position, as pictured here, or in horizontal position, using two adjustable holding chains.
Below production of the “11C“ came to a halt in 1942, but started up again in March 1954. The new model looked much more like a regular car and now had a single-piece tailgate featuring the new boot design introduced in July 1952.