Citroën 11 Light: A hard-to-find classic

If you are nostalgic for the old automotive glories, we present the Citroën 11 Light, a highly sought after model by collectors and very difficult to find. It was born in 1934 and underwent various modifications until the latest models were produced in July 1957.

Despite the fact that getting into a car is no longer something that I impose, after so many years in the profession, the truth is that the opportunity I had a few days ago to ride (not drive) in a Citroën 11 Ligero, in addition to the streets of Paris, I can only describe it as a unique experience, as well as a real luxury.

The model in which I had the opportunity to ride was equipped with the famous D Engine, the most powerful manufactured for the 11 with a power of 65 CV, being also one of the last manufactured and difficult to obtain, since it is a highly sought after model.

At the controls, its owner, a nuclear engineer, much more in love with his 11 Light than with the protons he deals with on a daily basis. Through him we learned many curious details. For example, the front glass opens, manually of course, a few degrees to let in air. The electric wiper can also be operated manually, but in this case only the wiper blade on the driver’s side.

His story

In 1934, Citroën launched the 7 CV model, known as “Traction Avant” and, in Spain, as Citroën “Pato”. The revolutionary technical concept of these cars was added to the extremely high cost of the machinery necessary for their production, which plunged André Citroën into a financial crisis that forced him to give up his company. Luckily, it became controlled by Michelin, which ensured its continuity.

A year later, its founder died of an incurable disease. He did not manage his company well, but he injected into it the art of the exceptional, the innovative spirit that characterizes those who are pioneers in his professional side.

The list of technical innovations provided by Citroën is so long that it is scary to cite some examples due to the risk of forgetting other more important ones. But suffice it to say that in 1924 it first adopted hydraulic brakes on all four wheels; in 1925, the all-steel body; in 1926, the brake booster; in 1932, the monocoque body; and in 1934, the driving and directing front wheels, that is, the traction.

The Michelin brothers adopted the same spirit, and thus, in 1936, rack-and-pinion steering appeared; in 1953, the hydropneumatic suspension; in 1954, the centrifugal clutch; in 1956, disc brakes, etc.

With the aim of expanding the range beyond the Traction 7, Citroën decides to develop a longer and wider version with the same four-cylinder engine, but expanded to 11 fiscal CV (1,911 cm3), called 11 A and presented at the Salon of the Paris Automobile, in October 1934.

The 11CV engine in a 7CV

Citroën mixes everything up and the first thing he did was put the 11CV engine in a 7, which was the 7S (sport), produced for only a few months. As the 11CV engine was too powerful for the structure of the 7 and especially for the bearings, some changes were applied to the 7S, which came to be called 11AL from the end of 1934, that is, the one that will be known as 11 Légère (Light). It is therefore an 11CV engine with 11 bearings in a 7 body. The evolution of the 11 from 1935.

The range of 7 and 11 improves in stability, the boxes are reinforced, and a better triangulation of the front axle is achieved and the suspensions have hydraulic shock absorbers. Instead, since Michelin takes the direction of the firm, the interior finishes are much worse. In 1936 the 7 and 11, with their new rack management, began to have the success they deserve. This, together with the magnificent management of the men from Michelin, allows Citroën to start making profits

In 1937 a new standardization was imposed so that as of February the 7 and 11 incorporated the same drums with wheels. The 11 begins to be called 11B and the 11 Légère will be called 11 BL. During that year 1937, a small series of 11 Légère appears as 11 AM, which means “améliorée”, improved, with a new cylinder head and inverted carburettor. Starting in 1938, the entire range began to feature the famous Michelin Pilote wheel, with low pressure, which will surprisingly improve the stability of the Traction. From the month of March 1939, the engine known as “Perfomance” (Perfo) began to be assembled, which has a much higher performance than the previous mechanics. The engine has been improved with a shorter valve head, lighter connecting rods and a new inverted carburettor with tubular air cleaner.

At the beginning of the Second World War, production did not stop but dropped significantly. The factory is bombed in 1940 and production will restart slowly in June 1945. The immediate post-war cars were built from old “stocks” so the true post-war series of Tractions It will not come out until the new steel stamping dies are available. This explains the differences in detail between the models from before and after the Nazi occupation. Only a few 11BL sedans are built that year.

After the war it keeps getting better

In 1946, production resumed with a slightly tweaked Traction. The Pilote wheel is replaced by the Michelin BM wheel (which means “bon marché”, that is, cheap), the hood has ventilation slats and not the windows, the bumpers incorporate small stops and the door handles are of aluminum. In 1947 the same model continued to be manufactured and from March the manufacture of the 11B was resumed. It will take until 1950 for the 11CV to experience an improvement in manufacturing quality. The Solex 32 carburettor provides superior performance and real economy of consumption. Interior comfort is improved with Pullman seats and a more complete instrument panel.

Starting in the spring of 1952, the Traction range made a final evolution in style to face the fierce competition of the Peugeot 203, the Simca 8 or the Aronde. In addition to the interior and mechanical details that are progressively incorporated, Tractions assembled from July 1952 are recognized by the rectangular trunk and completely straight bumpers.

In 1953 Citroën put the Familiar and Commercial versions back in the catalogue. The family, with folding seats, offers 8 seats. The Commercial (11C) has a rear opening from the roof. These two versions will be manufactured until 1957. While the Quai de Javel research department works frantically on the future Citroën that will be the DS, the 11 will still experience one last technical progress from May 1955: the mounting of the «11D» engine. ». This engine retains the displacement of 1,911 cm3, but reaches 60 real horsepower.

Even though the DS19 was presented in October 1955, the Citroën management decided to continue the production of the 11, which still has its followers. This model will no longer evolve and the official date of the last model produced will be July 25, 1957.