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Auction archive: Lot number 150

1937 Citroën 7C ‘Traction’ Coupé Chassis no. AG 2220 Engine no. 0234

Estimate
€0
Price realised:
€59,800
ca. US$88,195
Auction archive: Lot number 150

1937 Citroën 7C ‘Traction’ Coupé Chassis no. AG 2220 Engine no. 0234

Estimate
€0
Price realised:
€59,800
ca. US$88,195
Beschreibung:

Colour: Bordeaux/black Cylinders: 4; 1,628cc Gears: 3 + reverse Power: 36bhp Produced: 1935-1938 Production: 69,469 (of all 7C types 1935-1940) A curious mixture of romantic visionary and practical businessman, André Citroën was determined that economic depression and a contracting car market would not prevent him introducing a revolutionary new model, which he was convinced would ensure the future of his company. It did just that, but not until after Citroën had lost control of his empire when a minor creditor commenced legal proceedings against him. Within two years, new owner Michelin had paid off all of Citroën’s debts. Citroën’s brainchild, the 7C ‘Traction Avant’, broke new ground in almost every aspect of production car engineering on its launch in 1934. Unitary construction of the body/chassis, front wheel drive, all-independent suspension sprung by torsion bars, hydraulic brakes, synchromesh transmission and a four-cylinder, overhead-valve, wet-liner engine were all incorporated in the new car at a time when the majority of its rivals employed a separate chassis, cart springs, sidevalve engines and mechanical brakes. This ground-breaking specification would have counted for little had the result not worked in practice, but the Traction soon gained a well deserved reputation for exceptional stability and exemplary handling that endures to this day. The 1.3-litre original was soon superseded by larger-engined versions and from 1935 there were two four-cylinder models available - the 1,628cc 7C and 1,911cc 11 - to which was added a 2.9-litre ‘six’ - the 15 - in 1938. Of the three body styles available on the 7C ‘chassis’ - saloon, roadster and fixed-head coupé – the latter is by far the rarest, having been dropped from the range at the end of 1938. This rare and stylish 7C Coupé was acquired as a restoration project by the current owner in 1977 and totally restored by Société Gervais in Paris the following year. The car was repainted by the renowned classic car painter Taka Hira, while noteworthy features include twin carburettors on an EPAF manifold, Koni shock absorbers, 12-volt electrics, seat belts to the interior, and a dashboard-mounted temperature gauge and Citroën clock. Supporting documentation includes a photographic record of the ‘frame off’ restoration, French Carte Grise and Contrôle Technique. • Landmark model • Rare Coupé version • Fully restored 1937 Citroën 7C « Traction » Coupé Châssis no. AG 2220 Couleur : Bordeaux/Noir Cylindrée : 1,628 litre Nombre de cylindres : 4 Boîte de vitesses : 3 rapports plus marche arrière Puissance : 36 cv Fabriquée de 1935 à 1938 Produite à 69 469 exemplaires (Tous types de 7C inclus, de 1935 à 1940) André Citroën était fait d’un curieux mélange de romantisme visionnaire associé à un sens des affaires très affûté. Il avait décidé que la dépression économique et sa conséquence, la chute des ventes d’automobiles ne l’empêcheraient pas de présenter un nouveau modèle révolutionnaire, dont il était persuadé qu’il assurerait le futur commercial de sa société. Ce qui advint effectivement, mais entre temps, Citroën avait perdu le contrôle de son empire industriel, à la suite de procédures judiciaires lancées par l’un de ses créanciers. Et il n’a fallu que deux ans au nouveau propriétaire, Michelin, pour régler la totalité des dettes de Citroën. En 1934, date de son lancement, la trouvaille de Citroën, la 7C « Traction Avant », innovait dans pratiquement tous les domaines de l’ingénierie des voitures de série. Construction unitaire d’un châssis monocoque, traction avant, roues à suspension indépendante et barres de torsion, commande hydraulique de freins, boîte de vitesses synchronisées et un moteur 4 cylindres, à soupapes en tête et chemises humides, toutes ces inventions technologiques étaient montées sur la nouvelle voiture à un moment où la plupart des constructeurs rivaux de Citroën se contentaient de châssis séparés, de suspensions à ressorts, de moteurs à soupapes latérales

Auction archive: Lot number 150
Auction:
Datum:
9 Feb 2008
Auction house:
Bonhams London
Paris Expo
Beschreibung:

Colour: Bordeaux/black Cylinders: 4; 1,628cc Gears: 3 + reverse Power: 36bhp Produced: 1935-1938 Production: 69,469 (of all 7C types 1935-1940) A curious mixture of romantic visionary and practical businessman, André Citroën was determined that economic depression and a contracting car market would not prevent him introducing a revolutionary new model, which he was convinced would ensure the future of his company. It did just that, but not until after Citroën had lost control of his empire when a minor creditor commenced legal proceedings against him. Within two years, new owner Michelin had paid off all of Citroën’s debts. Citroën’s brainchild, the 7C ‘Traction Avant’, broke new ground in almost every aspect of production car engineering on its launch in 1934. Unitary construction of the body/chassis, front wheel drive, all-independent suspension sprung by torsion bars, hydraulic brakes, synchromesh transmission and a four-cylinder, overhead-valve, wet-liner engine were all incorporated in the new car at a time when the majority of its rivals employed a separate chassis, cart springs, sidevalve engines and mechanical brakes. This ground-breaking specification would have counted for little had the result not worked in practice, but the Traction soon gained a well deserved reputation for exceptional stability and exemplary handling that endures to this day. The 1.3-litre original was soon superseded by larger-engined versions and from 1935 there were two four-cylinder models available - the 1,628cc 7C and 1,911cc 11 - to which was added a 2.9-litre ‘six’ - the 15 - in 1938. Of the three body styles available on the 7C ‘chassis’ - saloon, roadster and fixed-head coupé – the latter is by far the rarest, having been dropped from the range at the end of 1938. This rare and stylish 7C Coupé was acquired as a restoration project by the current owner in 1977 and totally restored by Société Gervais in Paris the following year. The car was repainted by the renowned classic car painter Taka Hira, while noteworthy features include twin carburettors on an EPAF manifold, Koni shock absorbers, 12-volt electrics, seat belts to the interior, and a dashboard-mounted temperature gauge and Citroën clock. Supporting documentation includes a photographic record of the ‘frame off’ restoration, French Carte Grise and Contrôle Technique. • Landmark model • Rare Coupé version • Fully restored 1937 Citroën 7C « Traction » Coupé Châssis no. AG 2220 Couleur : Bordeaux/Noir Cylindrée : 1,628 litre Nombre de cylindres : 4 Boîte de vitesses : 3 rapports plus marche arrière Puissance : 36 cv Fabriquée de 1935 à 1938 Produite à 69 469 exemplaires (Tous types de 7C inclus, de 1935 à 1940) André Citroën était fait d’un curieux mélange de romantisme visionnaire associé à un sens des affaires très affûté. Il avait décidé que la dépression économique et sa conséquence, la chute des ventes d’automobiles ne l’empêcheraient pas de présenter un nouveau modèle révolutionnaire, dont il était persuadé qu’il assurerait le futur commercial de sa société. Ce qui advint effectivement, mais entre temps, Citroën avait perdu le contrôle de son empire industriel, à la suite de procédures judiciaires lancées par l’un de ses créanciers. Et il n’a fallu que deux ans au nouveau propriétaire, Michelin, pour régler la totalité des dettes de Citroën. En 1934, date de son lancement, la trouvaille de Citroën, la 7C « Traction Avant », innovait dans pratiquement tous les domaines de l’ingénierie des voitures de série. Construction unitaire d’un châssis monocoque, traction avant, roues à suspension indépendante et barres de torsion, commande hydraulique de freins, boîte de vitesses synchronisées et un moteur 4 cylindres, à soupapes en tête et chemises humides, toutes ces inventions technologiques étaient montées sur la nouvelle voiture à un moment où la plupart des constructeurs rivaux de Citroën se contentaient de châssis séparés, de suspensions à ressorts, de moteurs à soupapes latérales

Auction archive: Lot number 150
Auction:
Datum:
9 Feb 2008
Auction house:
Bonhams London
Paris Expo
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