In 1939, the 2.9-liter, six-cylinder 15 joined Citroën’s Traction Avant lineup as a “senior” model, sharing its basic styling and chassis with the 11B and differing in visual terms only with an elongated hood. In addition to its innovative front-wheel drivetrain layout, the 15 featured manual rack and pinion steering gear and hydraulic drum brakes and retained the Traction Avant’s front and rear torsion-bar suspension system. Top speed for the 15, initially rated at 77 hp, reached an exhilarating 81 mph, while delivering fuel economy of up to 22 miles per gallon. All Traction Avants built prior to 1952 included a small integral trunk and, beginning in 1953, paint colors in addition to the traditional black became available. Painted radiator shells were replaced by chrome grilles by 1949.

The Traction Avant in all its forms was highly successful, with 759,111 built in total until the advent of the Citroën DS, with the last Traction Avant – an 11CV model, delivered in July 1957. Six-cylinder 15 production reached 47,671 examples. A definitive example of the model, with Berline bodywork and black paint, this 1949 Citroën 15 Traction Avant was purchased in Europe by the Mullin Collection in 2016. Accompanying the car is a copy of the 1951 “15” Traction Avant owner’s manual.

*Please note that all of the Lots in this Auction have been in long-term static storage at the Mullin Automotive Museum and may not be currently operational. They will require mechanical attention and in some cases significant restoration prior to any road use.