1937 - CITROËN TRACTION 11 BL - CARROSSERIE SPOHN

Lot 142
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Estimation :
35000 - 55000 EUR
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Result : 39 900EUR
1937 - CITROËN TRACTION 11 BL - CARROSSERIE SPOHN
French registration title Body number: missing Engine number: DG 2104 - MPVB 78 Foundry number: 21137 14 Registration number: 876 AJ 52 This Citroën Traction Avant 11 BL was delivered new on 25 October 1937 (see Citroën Conservatory certificate) to Mrs V.D.B. in Haute Marne. At the time, it was a standard black 11 BL. After the hostilities, his son-in-law, Mr Antonin Castor, owner of the Garage La rose des ventes located in Fayl-Billot, used the car. Mr Castor, an officer in General de Lattre de Tassigny’s 1st Army, was posted to Germany, in the French zone, and was billeted by requisition with Mr Josef Eiwanger, director of the Spohn coachwork.  At that time, the SPOHN body shop was working for the French Army, the C.R.A.S. Mr Eiwanger proposed to Mr Castor to specially body two cars with trailer, this Citroën Traction 11 BL and an Opel Super Six (plan and letter attached to the file). The bodywork modifications were carried out by Spohn around 1948-1949, including the convertible system. Note the fender extension grafted onto the front doors (a choice made by Mr Castor who did not want short fenders), as well as the rear hatch for the towing hook, the Bosch front lights, and the access hatch for the fuel filler cap. Note the VDO elements of the dashboard indicating temperature, pressure and oil level, a brake fluid level indicator and a water temperature indicator, a Brevex super combined commodo and a Philips NX 570 radio. Over the years, Mr. Castor will bring additional modifications such as a more recent dashboard trim and a complete interior. The styling is strongly influenced by the French bodywork of the time with prominent aerodynamic wings, rear wheel covers and a rib on the boot. It is possible that the Graham Paige Saoutchik used by Marshal de Lattre de Tassigny during the Liberation may have been a source of inspiration. The engine on this car is not the original one, but its foundry number dates from November, suggesting a replacement shortly after delivery. The engine has recently been restarted. However, a full restoration is required. A unique opportunity to acquire the “marriage” of a mythical French model and a great signature of German coachbuilding.
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