MEET THE OWNER – MATTHEW SMITH AND HIS CITROEN TRACTION AVANT COMMERCIALE
By Andrew Roberts |
22nd January, 2021
Back in 2019, we posted a feature about the Traction Avant Commerciale, the car that is arguably the world’s first hatchback. And today, our star classic is Matthew’s 1956 example, which is used and enjoyed the way Citroën intended.
The 11CV Commerciale version of the Traction Avant made its bow in April 1938. The cabin space was vast, with simple decor that an owner could easily hose down. A folding front passenger seat increased the luggage space while one useful accessory was a pair of ramps - for rolling wine barrels into the load bay.
Some 3,000 Commerciales appeared to find a home before the outbreak of WW2, but when Citroën resumed civilian car production in 1945, the TA was available only in saloon form. It would not be until April 1954 that buyers could once more purchase the five-door model – now sporting a single-piece tailgate, unlike the pre-war models. Traction production ceased on 25th July 1957; with the post-war Commerciale amounting to just 9,258 units,
Sadly, the Citroën plant in Slough never assembled a UK-market version, although it is almost impossible to compare the Traction to a 1956-vintage British “Big Four” Estate. The likes of a Standard Vanguard Phase III was a station wagon for a realm of suburban driveways and gymkhanas at the weekend. By contrast, the Traction was, to quote Citroenvie, for ‘French farmers and small businessmen who needed both a workhorse vehicle for work and an elegant sedan for going to church on Sundays’.
BSL 619 was based in Le Mans for its first eighteen years. It was privately imported to the UK in 1974, and Matthew’s father bought the Commerciale in 1999. In the following year ‘I inherited it when my dad died. He was a lifelong Citroën fan having owned several 2CVs and Dyanes, plus Ami, GSA, BX, CX, XM and finally the Traction. I also inherited his passion for Citroën and have owned several others myself, amongst other cars’.
Naturally, the Smith Commerciale is typically uncompromising in its design, from the “mustard spoon” gear lever to the opening windscreen. Even 65 years ago, the latter was anachronistic, but it is a necessary fitting as the Citroën boasts a heater but no demister. British-assembled Tractions featured leather upholstery and a wooden fascia while Paris models have a very low-key interior. Matthew thinks ‘the simplicity of the French-built cars is nicer and suits the car’.
Most importantly, the Traction’s road manners belie its age. One obvious question is the turning circle, which Matthew describes as ‘huge, combined with a long wheelbase and poor steering lock’. However, the 1,911cc engine is capable of 71 mph with a cruising speed of 50-55mph, while the suspension was designed to cope with the worst of French roads.
And the Citroën is so usable that Mr. Smith has even used it to take a party of four, plus tents, a portable ‘fridge and folding bicycles to Le Mans. All of which is a testament to the Commerciale – the pioneer hatchback and one of the greatest.
With Thanks to – Matthew Smith
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