CITROEN Traction 11 BL cabriolet istory

In February 1937, the 11BL took over the 11AL and the 11B that of the 11A. Apart from the size of the bodywork, the cars are technically identical. Compared with the AL and A, aesthetic differences appear: painted grille, dashboard with meter in front of the driver and refined upholstery.

In 1938, "Pilot" wheels (yellow on the 11BL, red on the 11B) with square punctures and widened wings are mounted. In February 1939, the engine undergoes a significant evolution and wins 10 hp for a total of 56 hp. The car becomes the 11 Performance. In 1941, the production stops (4 cars manufactured that year), it will start again in 1945.

The 11BL and B are manufactured in sedan, coupe and convertible. The BL and B coupes disappear in 1938 and the cabriolets in 1939.

Chronological history of the former automobile brand "Citroen":

André Citroën, founder of the car company that bears his name, was born in Paris on February 5, 1878. Pupil of the Ecole Polytechnique.

At the end of the First World War, in 1918, André Citroën found himself, like all industrialists of the time, reconverting his company, previously used for military supplies. Indeed, Citroën owned quai de Javel, a huge factory capable of producing 50,000 projectiles of artillery per day, while other industrialists hardly reached the 5,000 pieces.

In 1919, taking advantage of the dynamism of peace and the bustling post-war economy, Citroën embarked on a sector that only wanted to be exploited: transport and especially the automobile. During a trip in 1912, he observed the organization of work in Ford factories and wants to use the same methods. As for shells, it goes from an artisanal production to a mass industrial production, the 7 CV is marketed. His sales goal was 100 cars a year.

In 1921 the very popular 5 CV was nicknamed "little lemon", because it was painted yellow, then "clover" because of its three places.

In 1922 Citroën released the B2 Normande for the rural world, the same year, the Roads one, two and three places are launched, more commonly called C, C2, C3. Citroën inaugurated the sale on credit, after founding taxi companies and covering France with a network of coaches.

In 1923 the Citroën factories manufacture 200 cars a day, in 1925 the Types B10, B12 and B14 are marketed.

In 1928 in Paris, Citroën opened the largest car shop in the world. The pace reached in 1929 100,000 cars a year. In 1932 the new C4 and C6 are equipped with the quieter "floating motor". The rate that reached more than 100,000 cars in 1929 fell to 48,000 because of the economic crisis.

In 1934 the Traction or the 7 CV presents a lot of innovations. This revolutionary car was designed by André Lefebvre and Gabriel Voisin.

But finally in 1935, André Citroën filed for bankruptcy. He hands over his shares to Michelin, who had previously helped him and retired. He dies a few months later and soon after, the banks unlock a first credit.

After the sudden death of Pierre Michelin in 1937, Pierre Boulanger took over the business and launched the project "tiny vehicle", which André Citroën had already thought. And in 1948 the 2CV is presented at the Salon.

Twenty years after the introduction of the Traction avant, Citroën again amazed the world of the automobile by presenting at the Paris Salon of 1955 the incomparable "DS19".

In 1956 a simplified version, "ID 19", was introduced. The suspensions were always hydropneumatic, but with unassisted brakes and steering, manual gearbox, body more spartan, which was added in 1958, the version break.

At the end of the 50's, the Citroën range presented a vacuum. Between the 2 hp and the DS 19, there were no other models, in April 1961, this void was partially filled with the appearance of the Friend 6.

To this car was added the "DS 21", which reached 175 km / h and intended for customers with special requirements of luxury and comfort.

In July 1965, Citroën took full control of Panhard and Levassor. In the following years, the "ID19" received a five-stage engine, providing 83 hp that allowed it to reach 160 km / h.

In 1967, the "Dyane" ("a monster of sympathy", as defined by Citroën advertising) was born. Located between the 2 CV and the "Friend 6", she took the same design. In 1969, Citroën modified the body of the "Friend 6", the new car was called "Friend 8".

The "D Special" and "D Super" replaced the "ID 19". Now was the time to launch the "average" car that was missing in the Citroën lineup.