1935 Citroen Traction Avant 7C

Description

We bought this 1935 Traction Avant 7c thirty years ago for my dad's 50th birthday. Bernard Leceour from Vouzon, France (mechanical genius) recommended we buy this car in particular because it was not rusted at all and was very very straight. After my father's B.D, the traction sat for the longest time, 15 years give or take, under sheets in a barn in La Fertee Saint Aubin, France. Once my dad retired, it seems he had time to tinker. While on a sabbatical year in France, I helped my father rebuild it even though it was running and drivable.
The engine was sent to a machine shop in Olivet. Everything on this motor has been gone through. The crank was corrected and trued. It has new rods, modern rod bearings, pistons, rings, sleeves, valve seats, oil pump, half moons (main seal), clutch assembly (all stock and rebuilt to specs). The valves were still good, so we re-used them after cutting them for the right angle of the unleaded fuel valve seats. The distributor looks original yet it is electronic, VERY STRONG SPARK! The water pump has an aluminum body. It was rebuilt using modern seals and bearing; it looks stock from the outside but it is sealed and modern, really. The generator and the starter were also rebuilt. An extra row was added to the radiator. The flat side Solex carburetor was in bad shape, we replaced it with a more modern one which was new old inventory at Depanauto.
The transmission was gone through as well. It received new synchros and bearings. We put on some rubber boots on the CVs (which didn't have that back in 35). They rubbed some and one is no longer on the car. I grease every oil fittings on this car once a year anyhow.
The car got new Timken wheel bearings all the way around and the whole brake system was gone through: cut drums, new pads on shoes, new brake lines, rebuilt master/slave cylinders.
The interior was redone by a reputable Upholstery shop in Orleans using correct fabric for the year. All materials were purchased at Depanauto.
While the interior was getting done, we used Volvo honey wax in all hollow parts of the chassis (window frame, any natural void on the car). We sprayed the undercarriage with tar, removed the fenders, put new lining between the uni body and the fenders.
All the electrical was redone by an old automobile electrician and the car got a fuse panel with all new wires.
My father told me he wanted to sell the car and I simply couldn't let go so I took a loan, bought it, shipped it to the U.S. I have had the car for a few years and simply don't have the room to store it. I know it will outlive all of us. She is 82 year old, she purrs and drives great.
I would not hesitate to drive this car cross country today. I'd put tires on it first as they are old DS spare tires mounted on the stock rims. The paint is probably over 50 years old. It looks okay but not Concours quality (nothing to hide if you are to inspect it, car is straight!). I am willing to answer any questions; you can reach me at (928)919-1617.