Fine scale models
1:8 Scale
Super detailed
1:8 Scale
Super detailed
JRH Scale Cars
1936 Citroen Traction Avant
Prototype
The Citroen Traction Avant was launched in 1934.
It was not the first vehicle to utilize front wheel drive, and it was not the first to use monocoque construction, but it was the first to bring these two innovations together into a mass production car. Its styling was equally innovative; like nothing else on the market. Yet it was a comfortable family car with excellent road holding.
It was not the first vehicle to utilize front wheel drive, and it was not the first to use monocoque construction, but it was the first to bring these two innovations together into a mass production car. Its styling was equally innovative; like nothing else on the market. Yet it was a comfortable family car with excellent road holding.
Model
My goal was to build a version of the Traction Avant that was close to its original launch in 1934. It would fit in well with the other 1930s models I had built.
I had a Heller kit of a 1952 Traction Avant, but there was a problem. The Heller kit uses a 6-cylinder engine, an engine that wasn't introduced until 1938. At launch, in April 1934, the 'Tractions', (designated 7CV, a reflection of the tax code into which the engine fell), had a 4-cylinder engine. So a 4-cyl engine plus its associated gearbox and engine cradle would have to be built. Challenging, but reasonably so.
The original 7CV utilized a shorter, narrower body than the 1952 version. But, in Sept 1934, new 11CV versions were launched which had a bigger 4-cyl engine. One version, with a longer, wider body, was called the 'Normale' and initially designated 11A. That body is very similar to the 1952 6-cylinder version. So, based on the Heller kit, a late '35 or early '36 version of the 11A 'Normale' seemed like a real possibility without pressing my modeling skills too far.
I had a Heller kit of a 1952 Traction Avant, but there was a problem. The Heller kit uses a 6-cylinder engine, an engine that wasn't introduced until 1938. At launch, in April 1934, the 'Tractions', (designated 7CV, a reflection of the tax code into which the engine fell), had a 4-cylinder engine. So a 4-cyl engine plus its associated gearbox and engine cradle would have to be built. Challenging, but reasonably so.
The original 7CV utilized a shorter, narrower body than the 1952 version. But, in Sept 1934, new 11CV versions were launched which had a bigger 4-cyl engine. One version, with a longer, wider body, was called the 'Normale' and initially designated 11A. That body is very similar to the 1952 6-cylinder version. So, based on the Heller kit, a late '35 or early '36 version of the 11A 'Normale' seemed like a real possibility without pressing my modeling skills too far.