Joie Bleue

The well-known Traction Avant (front-wheel drive) models were introduced in 1934 and built until 1957. They were replaced by the legendary DS, which was then built until 1975. Due to their unrivaled handling, these cars were soon dubbed the “Gangster Citroëns,” as rumors suggested that these vehicles enabled gangsters to escape from the police. In any case, the cars were as big a sensation in 1934 as the DS was in 1955. The Traction Avants, built as the Citroën 7, 11, and 15, covered a power range from 34 to 78 hp. The model series was offered in two different body widths and three different wheelbases, i.e., with bodies in three different lengths. The most agile and dynamic models were the narrow vehicles with the short wheelbase and the largest four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1.9 liters. Not only can you easily keep up with traffic today with all variants, but you’ll also be amazed at their astonishingly fast performance in many places. Key factors in this are the front-wheel drive, hydraulic brakes, synchronized second and third gear transmission, monocoque body with a low center of gravity, wide track, long wheelbase, and a chassis whose principle was used by some manufacturers well into the 1990s! Today, these cars are among the very few pre-war designs that, after a short period of getting used to them, can be driven normally in everyday life! If you can’t imagine that, you should stop by for a test drive in one of these models. The rare coupés and convertibles were produced by Citroën exclusively before the Second World War. However, many sedans have been converted into convertibles, and the few original convertibles that still exist have often been poorly maintained over the decades and have often been completely messed up. Truly good convertibles are rare, and if you do find one, you’ll have a lot of fun driving it.

According to the current owner, this 11 BL convertible was found in East Berlin after the political change in the former GDR and purchased by a “tractionist.” At the time, the vehicle had neither an original sticker nor vehicle documents. The unroadworthy and discarded vehicle, whose body had, up to that point, acquired a lot of patina but had not been altered, was sold to a collector in Baden-Württemberg in 2005. The collector had the car completely rebuilt at great expense between 2016 and 2022 and sold it to the current owner in 2022. The collector had the convertible top compartment modified so that the seat adjustment range extends 120 mm further back. He also had the on-board electrical system converted to 12-volt on-board voltage and had electric power steering installed. In other words, he had all the things changed that make driving a car much more pleasant today. Since the original documents could no longer be obtained, the year of manufacture was estimated at mid-1939 based on old photos, the bodywork, the engine, and the transmission, and official permission was granted to stamp a new chassis number. The metallic color of the paint was adjusted to match the original light blue iridescent color. At the time, Traction Avant convertibles were already available with an optional iridescent finish, consisting of real fish scales mixed into the paint. The owner had mounts for a bicycle rack installed on the vehicle and used the convertible for weekend trips for over three years. Although the car is in extremely good condition and, thanks to the optimized seating position and the electric power steering, is absolutely trouble-free to drive in today’s traffic, he wants to part with the car and has given it to us for sale. He says he wants to spend more time with his grandchildren and is therefore ready to part with some of his cars. We were delighted to add this car, which is not only beautiful but also very pleasant to drive, to our portfolio and are pleased to be passing it on to someone who will appreciate it. Joie Bleue – the blue joy…

We subject each vehicle to a systematic inspection – from the bodywork to the engine and electrical system. Based on this, we create three offers. You decide which offer suits you best.

Economy – €117,000
Tested, operational, and roadworthy vehicle with a H-report and a general inspection valid until May 2026.

Standard – €119,000
Includes a major service, oil change, new front right wheel bearing, and a new general inspection.

Supreme – €121,200
Additionally includes paint polish, ceramic coating, cavity and underbody protection with wax.

We would be happy to send you the details of the three offers. Or you can simply call us and we will explain everything to you personally.