1951 Citroën Traction Avant

Taking a classic 1951 Citroën Traction Avant 11 "Légère" for a short drive in St. Joseph, Michigan - August of 2017

[@bellowsmain6762]

One of the most beautiful cars ever built and typical Citroen of the times very advanced. Loved them as a child and at 73 that admiration has not diminished.

[@ax1066a-ghd2]

That's a beautiful car, so smooth and quiet. This is the first Citroën Traction Avant video I've seen where somebody can drive it without destroying the gearbox.

[@RustyInventions-wz6ir]

Beautiful. My dad had a light 15. 1939 model for 18years. I loved that car.

[@toufiktoufik2155]

أجمل سيارة سيتروان تراكشن رأيتها حتى اللحظة من حيث الجودة و الصلابة بالرغم من مرور عقود من الزمن حقا سيارة رائعة حض موفق في المحافظة على هاته الجوهرة

[@robertkelly3313]

Probably the most beautiful car I ever saw. The french are clever engineers, such quality build with breathtaking flowing lines. I’m so envious, the owner clearly a proud man that appreciates fine things.

[@thomasheitmann1804]

Citroën forever 🇨🇵🇨🇵🇨🇵🇨🇵🇨🇵🇨🇵🙂🙂🙂

[@clementmarquet2248]

Love the art-deco style of this car!

[@petite_voiture9249]

Wouah avoir une Traction au États-Unis, c'est génial 👏👏👏👏👍👍😍😍

[@reesebenedict6648]

Dont know if anyone gives a damn but if you are bored like me during the covid times you can stream pretty much all the new movies on InstaFlixxer. I've been streaming with my gf for the last weeks xD

[@rogelioanakin759]

@Reese Benedict definitely, I have been watching on instaflixxer for since december myself :)

[@makingithappen5178]

My mother had a 1951 Citroën Berliner 11 in 1958 when she first met my dad. She liked the front-wheel drive on the winter roads.

[@lesbuckwalter8988]

These cars were all over Madrid, Spain when I was there 1969-1974. I really liked them. Still do.

[@jeanpierrebonno4703]

Very nice restauration, I travelled in such a car when I was baby (1953-1956). Posted from French Loire Valley.

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

Absolutely beautiful. I had a '38 Famile in France and loved it.

[@jacquesfontaine3384]

Respects pour tous les ingénieurs qui ont oeuvrés pendant ces belles années de Citroën .Avec la DS et la CX 2500 turbo D , la traction fait partie des icônes de la marque .Il y a aussi la C 6 , sublime mais trop complexe à entretenir .

[@timoonakama2698]

Le temp ou Citroën était à son apogée 🇫🇷🤗⚠️ Respect à son acquéreur et son entretien irréprochable Merci du partage ! .

[@robertjames6640]

I owned a 1951 model when I lived in France. I paid around $800 for it and whilst in did not match this beauty in condition, it never failed to perform like a champion. Perhaps one of the most gorgeous of pre- war cars: this owner has a treasure and I wish I still had mine.

[@ponyrang]

Wow... My best friend, Nice video... Beautiful place Enjoy watching this video... Have a nice day.

[@shanehnorman]

One of my all-time favourite cars, perfect from every angle and a technological tour de force. Launched in 1934, it was still ahead of its time in 1954 when production ceased. Only when the BMC Mini arrived in 1959 did popular car design make its next quantum leap.

[@jeangabe67]

Félicitations ! Votre voiture est sublime. On dirait qu'elle sort du concessionnaire ! Cette année Citroën fête ses 100 ans ! Bel hommage à André Citroën ! 🇨🇵

[@davidcraddock7011]

fell in love with that body style when I first became aware of its existence on the streets of Saigon in 1969. would love to have imported one back to the states.

[@xcastro1000]

Very nice. I've loved this car since I was a kid. Today I have a restored 51. An indescribable feeling to guide one of these relics on weekends. Greetings from the south of Brazil.

[@deusdat]

One of the best cars ever!

[@monteceitomoocher]

One of my earliest memories of car travel was the Citroën traction avant of my fathers, not sure of the manufacturing year but it was olive green, remember the car radio it was fitted with and listening to music while dad was elsewhere, that was about 58 or so and i think it was already quite old, we weren't well off, very happy times.

[@jeanroger7866]

This was the second car of my dad ! A pleasure to see how well she is maintained ! Roger . France

[@sarahjones-jf4pr]

This car is absolutely sensational, best vintage car I have ever seen, thank-you for presenting this.

[@ResilientBrazilian]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@richardparkersmith4810]

I have many happy memories of the one I had as a teenager South Island in New Zealand. Slough built Light 15. Such a good friend for a year. Boiled going up Mount Arthur Pass but couple of bottles of lemonade was all she needed. Miss it even now but thanks for bringing back such wonderful memories.

[@jogreatholder673]

Did you/your family buy it in 1954 (or just after) and sell it around 1995 because if so I might have just bought it (red interior and black paint).

[@richardparkersmith4810]

@@jogreatholder673 No sadly. My mate and I bought it in 1969 and sold it in 1070. It was grey and I may have photo with the reg number on it somewhere.

[@jogreatholder673]

The registration number was changed in 2011 and the model we have is right hand drive. Thank you for responding though.

[@lionelfavier9992]

bonjour de France, vous avez une très belle auto,félicitations et salutations

[@marcelolinhares8233]

Very good and detailed demonstration of this fantastic car. The traction avant was something unimaginable. Nice engine.Simple mechanics. Brought me the reminds when a was a little kid . Thank tou for posting!

[@ResilientBrazilian]

Thank you for your interest and kind comments, Marcelo!

[@peterjanssen8117]

Such a characteristic car! Front wheel drive and one of the very first cars with a unit steel body without a seperate and obsolete chassis. Even more beautiful than the later DS-model.

[@nicktamer4969]

DS is just Traction's daughter from outer space. Same citroën's futuristic spirit 😃

[@petercrosland5502]

@@nicktamer4969 By the time this one had been made it was nearly 20 years old, in fact they made it until it was 20 years old - but it looked as though it was. The DS was another animal.. Get this, only Americans are amazed they made the Traction - and it came in a lot of variants including the first hatchback, a 7 seater, and a 6 cylinder. When the French say that there may be another way of doing things, they are usually right.

[@petercrosland5502]

@حمید رضا Backwards I cannot write!

[@jandoerlidoe3412]

I remember seeing these as a kid.....I was born in 1954... Those Citroen where a common sight in Antwerpen then... What a lovely car in such pristine condition... This one has a 4 cyl engine, but Citroen did also make 6 cylinder traction avant.. Seems to be a nice neighborhood where you live, and the stills at the end of the vid are in such a scenic surrounding...

[@jonnybeck6723]

It's gorgeous and vintage.... Back in the day I dreamt of one of these getting a small block Chevy... ...but I guess those days are over

[@liegesaboya8265]

One of the most common cars in Rio in the 50's / 60's . A beautiful car !

[@felipevagli7830]

Magnificent! A jewel. Congrats.

[@didierfaudry5174]

magnifique!!!!, que dire de plus?, si ce n'est; un grand bravo à ce Monsieur de faire subsister une telle légende Française. Je ne peux être qu'admiratif et vous adresser un grand merci pour votre partage chère Monsieur.

[@ResilientBrazilian]

Merci beaucoup, Didier!

[@derkommentarschreiber1263]

Thank you for this video. I could get a good impression of the vehicle.

[@RetroRich2000]

Thank you so much, for making this video. I really enjoyed the thorough walkaround, the in depth examination of the gear change and various switches in the cabin. This is a very beautiful car, thanks again for sharing. 🙂

[@davelawson4827]

Mine almost looked that good when I graduated college in 1980... I've turned it into my own barn find now... My Dad was a Citroen mechanic and ran a repair shop in northern California for about 50 years. His memory is gone now but I have tons of stuff, mainly D series. I even still have about 20 cars including a 1957 (56?) DS serial number 7047 as well as 2 '49s and a '51 TA needing restoration, a 34 roadster plus a parts car and 2 other TA hulk's...

[@micromanialex]

from france; thanks you, long life for you and the citroen ^^ magnific car.

[@viorelpiscanu9425]

A superb french automobile! One of my favourite for her personality!👍✨👏

[@mikekemsley1531]

My parents dragged one of these back from Paris some time around 1953. They bought it new and had it shipped to NJ. Quite a fuss getting it by the dmv even back then. In the late 50s we moved to Vt and brought it with us. At some point my mother had it painted red and ivory helping it "blend in" with all the Edsels and Desotos and the like. Eventually it puked its motor on Rt 11 going over Bromley Mtn. It was towed how and some of the local talent attempted to graft a 4 cylinder something or other into it. Didn't work. Lots of head scratching and beer drinking and it was stuck out behind a neighbors shop where it sat for years. I'd go look at it occasionally. It finally vanished into the mist of memories. I'll tell it was no fun riding around in winter at 20-30 below zero. No heat and no defroster. Front wheel drive didn't do much to warm you up. Ha!

[@ResilientBrazilian]

Thanks for the great story!

[@davidroosa4561]

nice car, thanks for sharing

[@joenguyen9955]

EXCELLENT - A LOVELY VERY OLD MODEL CAR HAD PRODUCED FROM THE FRENCH DURING 1951 . CONGRATULATIONS THAT YOU GOT ONE OF RARELY CAR AT THE MOMENT. IT IS A PRECIOUS AND VALUABLE CAR COLLECTION. THANKS. YOU SHOULD VERY PROUD OF YOURSELF. BYE. MERCI.

[@bernielowe3709]

One of my favourite cars of all time

[@willwillwwd5473]

Oh, Ricardo! Parabéns pelo belo e saudoso carro!!

[@josebaque5623]

Very nice car , congratulations. Saludos desde Argentina 🇦🇷

[@c.e.ardanaz1234]

Que belleza !!!!!!, que auto más hermoso, el más evoluciuonado de su época!!!!!, Felicitaciones, me ha hecho lagrimear todo el vídeo!!!!, si mi viejo lo pudiera ver, estaría igual que yo ahora!!!, gracias por compartir y conservar tan hermosa máquina!!!!, Saludos desde San Luis Argentina!!!

[@Djamoekjouw.]

Its such a beautiful car!

[@rolflarsson9884]

What a fine car THX for showing us this car I grow up in Europe and leared how to drive on one just like it

[@searleflesher6689]

WOW what a magnificent machine it looks amazing

[@firedog6614]

Thank you for sharing this video! The tour and ride was so much fun that I want to own one.

[@ResilientBrazilian]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@graemetoobux8953]

I owned the same model 50 years ago, mine was dark gray colour, and built in the U.K the wheels where only 3 stud or wheel nuts. The dash in mine was quite different, all guages were "Jaeger" (I think that was the spelling) I could also alter the ignition timing with a control on the dash. Mine was right side drive, as per New Zealand laws. From memory, petrol consumption was about 20 miles to the imp., gallon, It was an old car even then, (begining of the seventies) but it was very nice to drive and handled better than a lot of the newer cars that were about at the time. I loved the flat floors front and back. I' m sorry I have not still got it.

[@ResilientBrazilian]

Great story, thanks, Graeme!

[@nielskjr5432]

Very beautiful car, thank you! 👍

[@xm222]

Unique and beautiful car 👍😊

[@russcattell955i]

There are still many of these elegant old ladies in France. Usually seen at shows and festival days.

[@newtonwhatevs]

Lovely sound.

[@CarlLaberfeld]

so beautiful

[@printerudell3604]

Gorgeous car!

[@eduardoeamelia8626]

Nothing better than a fancy piece with a full roaring engine.

[@danielfernandez6721]

Beautiful car, the Traction Avant was one of the first cars built as a self-supporting monocoque body. If you pay attention, it's Italian style. The engineer who designed it, was the Italian engineer Flaminio Bertoni. Congratulations 👋👋👋👋

[@ResilientBrazilian]

Yes, and Bertoni has also designed the 2CV. Genius!

[@MikeLoveBuns]

It’s beautiful car 🚙! Remember that type of vehicle while station in Vietnam 🇻🇳 for 26 months.. 😀

[@colingarner6175]

That’s class and style , wonderful car .

[@mainiotaainetta]

👏😍 Thats beautiful!

[@chrishull9983]

Beautiful car and what a wonderful area where you live - so quiet.

[@ResilientBrazilian]

Yes, thanks!

[@davethornley1955]

Nice detailed video thanks

[@josemelo6259]

Projetado por gênios. O homem nunca mais fará outra obra prima desta.

[@MrJacques38]

Bien belle cette auto, félicitations!!

[@gilbertoexe6301]

Que coisa linda esse carrinho , eu sou apaixonado , por esse Citroën 1951 , e esse então está um espetáculo .

[@johnfreeman7921]

Well in France they are generally close to 10 thousand euro but I don’t know how it is oversea

[@markgilham2453]

Lovely car Ricardo. I had a Paris built 1953 Normale (as you said, post '52 so big boot) the larger brother/sister. I always wanted to have a drive in the rare 6.

[@didierfaudry5174]

magnifique mon ami, chapeau bas!!!. et puis les odeurs des revêtements à l'intérieur, ça me rappelle quand j'étais tout petit môme en 68 et ça m'a marqué dans le bon sens du mot!, en tous cas merci à vous!.

[@ResilientBrazilian]

Merci beaucoup!

[@juancarlosdemayo]

el primer auto que tuve fue uno de estos...hermosos recuerdos...inolvidable...

[@dnmlthr]

Cette voiture est un vrai bijou !

[@maurofadog9463]

Espetacular o Citroën 1951, que máquina! Impecável. E que felicidade ver nossa bandeira estilizada na Ford 150!

[@ResilientBrazilian]

Grato, Mauro!

[@marcelodibenedetto276]

una belleza siempre me gustó!! divino y buenísimo

[@yvesballin9250]

Bravo très belle voiture, un grand bonjour de France.....

[@laurodepaiva642]

Exemplar magnifico,esta mais bonito que quando fabricado muito bom gosto parabens!!!

[@ResilientBrazilian]

Obrigado! Ricardo [e-mail]

[@basilteixeira4499]

Magnífico !

[@FBRuslan]

The masterpiece ❤

[@sergehorion7155]

Almost 70 years old and in pristine condition! One thing remains a mystery: how did this car make it from France to Michigan? What is the story behind? Otherwise a very good video.

[@ResilientBrazilian]

It was purchased from the restorer in the Netherlands and shipped to the USA in 2005. Thanks for asking.

[@thomasheitmann1804]

Und ein Prachtexemplar von Citroën 🇨🇵 Traction

[@jozsefimbrea9473]

It isn't the first Traction statesides, one of them was tested by "Uncle" Tom McCahill way back in 1952 on Popular Mechanix' pages. Apart from its leech-like roadholding, the egine was an easy-to-service wet-liner inline longstroke four, its body and chassis was unit-built and bank-vault rigid. Produced from 1934 until 1957.

[@gilsonfrois10]

Que carro lindo. Deve ser espetacular dirigir. Parabéns.

[@lorenabssr255]

Gilson Rodrigue frois

[@jacksutherland846]

It's surprising that it is still in the style of a 1930s car built in 51' and it's very small. It's like a 3/4 size 34' Ford model A. Looks like a lot of fun. I bet four guys could pick up each end separately, and turn it completely around. I wonder whether if shortening the shifter would be an improvement or not. Pretty neat little car.

[@knowbodiesfull5768]

Jack Sutherland The last Traction Avant was made in 1957 - and it was still unchanged!

[@jacksutherland846]

@@knowbodiesfull5768 made with consumer advocacy unlike other makers.

[@hildasorgicatarino3607]

Saudades. Muito bom.

[@rogeralsop3479]

Beautiful car.

[@chrisperyagh]

Lovely car! I'll be getting an 11BL at some point in the very near future - it's a 1953 version (with the big boot) which has been converted to 12v with an alternator. I last drove it in the early '00s when it was still 6v and unrestored, so it'll be good to see how different it is since having had work done on it. While I've owned a 1970 D Special (ID19B), 1987 CX 25 GTi Turbo 2 (which was my favourite) and a 1990 XM V6 Si and a 2.0 SEi (both my least favourites), it will be nice to have a far simpler big Citroen.

[@noggin48]

Lovely Historic car :)

[@alpumar]

That's the proper way of showing a vehicle

[@vern2801]

I have always liked that model. I was stationed in France in 1961 til Jan 1963 . we called the little lesser model bouncing bettys also liked the before its time air ride on the later models. of course on a e4's pay one could not afford either one..

[@motorenfranz]

Das sind Noch Autos mit niwo die haben noch Carisma elegant.👍👍👍

[@jonnybeck6723]

...and I LOVE the suicide doors!

[@osniralbanez5439]

Na minha opinião é o carro mais bonito já feito até hoje!

[@halimhanchi7376]

Magnifique 🇨🇵

[@eugenegilleno9344]

These vehicles were also built in Croydon, UK, and were called ‘Light Fifteen’. To avoid paying taxes, more than 50% of the product had to be manufactured in Great Britain.....and this model was the first car that I ever worked on, aged 12. 🤪👍🏼

[@doneB830]

The nicest Citroen ever made.

[@jeeptrucklover72]

Nice stop!

[@celsobigliazzi1790]

Esses citroens são lindos.

[@igettogonow2253]

coolest car ever

[@dionysos334]

Citroën traction avant est un pléonasme. Un véhicule est entraîné par les roues avant, arrière ou avant et arrière. On parle respectivement de traction, de propulsion ou de transmission intégrale ( 4x4, 6x6,...). Parlons donc de Citroën traction ( point). Ceci dit, sympathique vidéo pour un magnifique et superbement bien conservé exemplaire de Traction avant, heu...Traction tout court.

[@Anonym-kd5wf]

Very cool

[@smoore9050]

what an extrordinary car, belle voiture! You are very fortunate to be able to enjoy it, a wise investment too.

[@samueleberledossantos8243]

Parabéns! Lindo automóvel. Sonho de toda pessoa que aprecia jóias!

[@poznaniaklat6073]

piękny i doskonały nic mu nie brakuje

[@leifleifsen7708]

Bravo bravo top super

[@Furtog]

Very nice. Your dash is configured a bit different than my "53 BL. I see you have added water temperature & oil pressure gauges?

[@ResilientBrazilian]

Correct! Good luck with yours! Ricardo

[@philpartin8618]

Jay leno needs that car. It's beautiful.