1953 Citroen Traction Avant 11B

Andre Citroen founded what was soon to become Europe's largest car manufacturer in 1919. Willfully ambitious, he was so far ahead of his time that he went bust in 1934 and had to be rescued by Michelin.

What pushed him and his firm over the edge was the extraordinary Traction Avant, which was brimmed with innovations. Launched in 1934, not only was it front wheel drive but had rack-and-pinion steering, hydraulic brakes, a synchromesh gearbox and independently sprung front suspension.

Considerably stronger, lighter and lower slung than conventional designs of its era, it initially had a 1.3-litre 32bhp engine but was capable of 62mph and 28mpg economy with exemplary handling and stability. Only available in black, the 11B was launched in 1937 now with a 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine producing 46bhp and a top speed of 70mph. Production resumed after WW2 and lasted until 1957 when the equally revolutionary DS replaced the Traction after an astonishing 760,000 examples had been sold.

This 1953 example has been subject to a full ground-up restoration in 1999/2000 with a file of photographs to prove. Since the work was completed it has covered 17,000km and has recently been fitted with new Kevlar brake linings and new wheel cylinders all round, plus a stainless steel exhaust. The car has also been converted to run on unleaded petrol further making it a more usable classic. It is decked with period extras like smokers windows, boot scrapes, exhaust pipe deflector, spotlights and reversing lights which make it a very desirable example.

A very fine example that comes with a French "controle technique' (MOT) until October 2014 and completed NOVA 1 documentation with a letter from HMRC saying that no VAT is due. It has done many long distance tours and was driven from the Loire to Herefordshire before being driven on to North Devon. Oozing with Gallic charm, the Traction Avant is a must-have for any serious car collection and now is the time to buy whilst they are still undervalued.