Citroen Light 15

The Citroen Light 15, also known as the Traction Avant, is a classic French car model, with this 1949 Slough built model being a specific year within its production run from 1934 to 1957. It's notable for being one of the first mass-produced front-wheel-drive cars with a monocoque body.

The Light 15 specifically refers to the shorter wheelbase version of the Traction Avant, often called the 11BL in France.

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A vintage black car parked on a gravel surface with trees and a grassy area in the background.

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Nuts & Bolts

Citroen Light 15

First registered: May 1949
Registration number: 659 XUA
Black
Slough built
Small boot

The 1949 Slough-built Citroën Light 15 holds a significant place in classic car history as a British-built version of the revolutionary Traction Avant. It is revered for combining groundbreaking pre-war technology with post-war improvements, becoming a usable and highly desirable classic.

The Light 15 was part of the longer-running Traction Avant line, which Citroën introduced in 1934 to great acclaim. The Traction Avant pioneered several features now standard in modern cars.

Classic Car Legacy

The Light 15's innovative design and durability have made it a lasting and beloved classic. Unlike many of its 1930s contemporaries, the Traction Avant's advanced design and robust mechanics make it a practical and enjoyable classic to drive.

Cultural Icon

The Traction Avant's unique style has cemented its status as a cultural icon, frequently appearing in films ([Inspector] ‘Maigret car’)and beloved by enthusiasts who appreciate its comfort, handling, and elegance. Today, dedicated clubs including “Floating Power” (being the regisiterd Traction Owners Club) and restoration specialists continue to preserve and celebrate its legacy.

Influential Technology

Its technological blueprint influenced not only its successor, the equally revolutionary Citroën DS, but also other car manufacturers.

“The 1949 model has the smaller, pre-1952 "malle plate"
- flat boot - body style, which is often preferred by purists over the later, larger "malle bombe" versions.”

— Culburnie Classic Cars

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