1939 Citroen 'Light Fifteen' Roadster with Dickey

Registration no. GWJ 293 Chassis no. 104003

Footnotes

This beautiful Traction Avant was assembled at Citroën's Slough factory in 1939 and registered in the UK on 1st May 1940. Only 220 right-hand drive Roadsters were made and barely a handful survive today. None were made after WW2. Generally known in the UK as the 'Light Fifteen', this model is a 7C 3 built originally with the under-powered 12hp engine. Invariably owners of such cars changed to the larger 1,911cc 'Performance' engine, and this car was probably up-rated sometime after WW2.

In 1982, 'Emily', as the car is known, was purchased by the present owner from Ken Ray, Chairman of Ray & Proctor Limited of Stoke-on-Trent, the Citroën main agents for the area. The accompanying old-style logbook (issued 1963) lists two owners prior to Ray & Proctor Ltd. A complete restoration was undertaken over the next two years, bringing the Citroën up to concours condition, and it has won many trophies over the years since. Although occasionally used at Prescott Hill Climb for VSCC events, the Traction has remained chiefly a car for family Continental holidays over the last 30-plus years and has never suffered a breakdown during the whole of that time.

The owner is a Citroën enthusiast and maintains the car himself. It is always garaged, and servicing and oil changes are done every 1,500 miles without fail. The engine was rebuilt some 10 years ago and has done only a nominal mileage since. The gearbox was rebuilt recently and up-rated with a new 10/31 high-ratio crown wheel/pinion for fast economical motoring, giving around 28mpg and a cruising speed of 65mph. A new clutch was fitted at the same time. The dickey seats may be removed to provide cavernous storage for suitcases if required, and 'Emily' is said to be a delight to drive and very much at home on the long French Autoroutes with the hood down and the sun shining. Indeed, this much-loved Traction Roadster is ideal for Continental touring and endlessly admired wherever it goes. The car is reluctantly sold only because the owner is now in his Eighties and is downsizing his property. A very rare beast, and VSCC eligible, this charming Traction Roadster is offered with restoration invoices; a V5C Registration Certificate; and the aforementioned logbook.