Citroen Traction Avant

Citroen Traction Avant: which version to buy

If you are choosing a Citroen Traction Avant rather than reading a general history, the catalogue is simple: one generation (1934–1957), Cabrio body only, six versions, all Gasoline, all Manual with 3 gears, all FWD, none with boost. The buying question is therefore not “which generation” or “which body.” It is which engine: 1.3 MT, 1.5 MT, 1.6 MT, 1.9 MT at 46 hp, 1.9 MT at 56 hp, or 2.9 MT.

Citroen Traction Avant: which version to buy

If you are choosing a Citroen Traction Avant rather than reading a general history, the catalogue is simple: one generation (1934–1957), Cabrio body only, six versions, all Gasoline, all Manual with 3 gears, all FWD, none with boost. The buying question is therefore not “which generation” or “which body.” It is which engine: 1.3 MT, 1.5 MT, 1.6 MT, 1.9 MT at 46 hp, 1.9 MT at 56 hp, or 2.9 MT. Every number below comes from the recorded specs; 0–100, top speed, mpg, kerb weight, length, tank size, and price are not measured, so they cannot decide the purchase.

Citroen Traction Avant generations compared for a buyer

There is 1 generation. Production start is 1934-01-01 and stop is 1957-12-31. Body type is Cabrio. Modification count is 6. Years such as 1950, 1951, and 1954 sit inside this same generation; they are not extra generations and they do not add extra versions in this dataset. Chassis layout that is recorded is the same on every version: front suspension Independent, leaf spring; front brakes Drum; drive FWD; gearbox Manual, 3 speeds; fuel system Carburetor; boost No. Rear suspension, rear brakes, engine position, kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, wheels, and tank are not measured on any version, so they do not separate one car from another here.

What does change between versions is displacement, cylinder count, power, and (where given) rpm and bore × stroke. That is the whole buying spread.

Citroen Traction Avant engine specs: six versions, two named the same

Use the names exactly as in the catalogue. Two cars are both called 1.9 MT; they share 1911 cm³ and must be told apart by power: 46 hp versus 56 hp.

Horsepower per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres) ranks how hard each engine works for its size:

• 1.9 MT 56 hp: 56 ÷ 1.911 ≈ 29.3 hp/l (highest)
• 2.9 MT: 77 ÷ 2.867 ≈ 26.9 hp/l
• 1.3 MT: 32 ÷ 1.303 ≈ 24.6 hp/l
• 1.9 MT 46 hp: 46 ÷ 1.911 ≈ 24.1 hp/l
• 1.5 MT: 35 ÷ 1.529 ≈ 22.9 hp/l
• 1.6 MT: 36 ÷ 1.628 ≈ 22.1 hp/l (lowest)

Weight per horsepower is not measured: kerb weight is not measured on every version.

Citroen Traction Avant horsepower: what each step actually buys

Start at 1.3 MT: 32 hp (24 kW) from 1303 cm³, peak listed at 3600 rpm. Bore × stroke is 72 × 80. This is the smallest engine and the lowest output.

1.5 MT adds 226 cm³ (+17% displacement) and 3 hp (+9% versus 32 hp), 2 kW (26 vs 24). Peak is listed at 3200 rpm, 400 rpm lower than 1.3 MT. Bore × stroke is again 72 × 80. You pay 226 cm³ for 3 hp; specific output falls from about 24.6 to 22.9 hp/l. If the question is “more displacement for more torque feel,” torque in Nm is not measured on either car, so that claim is not in the data.

1.6 MT is only 99 cm³ larger than 1.5 MT and only 1 hp stronger (36 vs 35; 27 vs 26 kW). Peak rpm is 3800, which is 600 rpm above 1.5 MT and 200 rpm above 1.3 MT. Bore × stroke is not measured. Relative to 1.3 MT, 1.6 MT is +325 cm³ (+25%) and +4 hp (+12.5%). It is the weakest specific output of the six. A buyer who wants a “middle four” should know 1.5 MT and 1.6 MT are almost the same power; the 1 hp gap is 3% of 35 hp.

The two 1.9 MT cars jump clear of the 1.3–1.6 cluster. Both are 1911 cm³, 4 Inline, 2 valves per cylinder, Carburetor, Manual 3, FWD, boost No. 1.9 MT at 46 hp (34 kW) is +10 hp versus 1.6 MT (+28%) on +283 cm³ (+17%). 1.9 MT at 56 hp (41 kW) is +10 hp versus the other 1.9 MT on the same 1911 cm³: that is +22% power with 0 cm³ extra. Versus 1.3 MT, the 56 hp 1.9 MT is +24 hp (+75%) on +608 cm³ (+47%). Peak rpm is not measured for either 1.9 MT. Bore × stroke is not measured for either 1.9 MT. If you can only pick one 1.9-litre car, the 56 hp 1.9 MT is the higher-output calibration of the same listed displacement; the 46 hp 1.9 MT is the milder one.

2.9 MT is the only 6-cylinder version (Inline, 2 valves per cylinder). Displacement 2867 cm³, 77 hp (57 kW). Versus the 56 hp 1.9 MT that is +21 hp (+37.5%) and +956 cm³ (+50%), plus two extra cylinders (6 vs 4). Versus 1.3 MT it is +45 hp (more than double: 77 ÷ 32 = 2.41) and +1564 cm³ (more than double: 2867 ÷ 1303 ≈ 2.20). Bore × stroke is 78 × 100 (stroke 20 mm longer than the 80 mm listed on 1.3 MT and 1.5 MT; bore 6 mm larger than 72). Peak rpm is not measured. Specific output (~26.9 hp/l) sits between the two 1.9 MT cars, so the extra 956 cm³ is not the most efficient way to add power; it is the way to add cylinder count and the catalogue’s maximum 77 hp.

kW ranking is the same as hp: 24 (1.3 MT), 26 (1.5 MT), 27 (1.6 MT), 34 (1.9 MT 46 hp), 41 (1.9 MT 56 hp), 57 (2.9 MT).

Citroen Traction Avant engine bay and engine swap: what the specs allow you to compare

Engine position is not measured on any version, so the catalogue does not describe the engine bay layout. Starter motor is not in the data. An engine swap is not a factory version here; the six listed engines are the factory set.

What you can match if you are comparing hardware on paper:

• All six: Gasoline, Carburetor, boost No, 2 valves per cylinder, Manual 3, FWD.
• Four-cylinder Inline: 1.3 MT, 1.5 MT, 1.6 MT, both 1.9 MT.
• Six-cylinder Inline: 2.9 MT only.
• Bore × stroke measured: 1.3 MT and 1.5 MT share 72 × 80; 2.9 MT is 78 × 100; 1.6 MT and both 1.9 MT not measured.
• Compression ratio: not measured on all six.
• Torque (Nm) and torque rpm: not measured on all six.

A swap discussion that invents a different cylinder layout, a different gearbox, or a different drive type is outside this catalogue. Inside it, the only layout change is 4 Inline versus 6 Inline on 2.9 MT.

Performance, mpg, and reliability figures that are not measured

0–100 is not measured for 1.3 MT, 1.5 MT, 1.6 MT, 1.9 MT (46 hp), 1.9 MT (56 hp), or 2.9 MT. Top speed is not measured for all six. City, highway, and combined consumption (mpg) are not measured for all six. CO2 and eco class are not measured. You cannot rank versions by acceleration or fuel use from this dataset. Problems and reliability are not recorded as numeric fields here; the only mechanical facts that repeat on every version are FWD, Manual 3, Carburetor, Drum front brakes, Independent, leaf spring front suspension, and no boost.

Citroen Traction Avant dimensions, weight, and tank

Kerb weight is not measured on all six versions. Gross weight is not measured. Ground clearance is not measured. Wheel sizes are not measured. Fuel tank is not measured. Length is not measured. Interior dimensions are not measured. A buyer looking up weight, length, or tank size will not find those numbers in this specification set; they are not omitted by accident — they are not measured.

Because weight is not measured, power-to-weight cannot be calculated. Do not treat the 77 hp 2.9 MT as “lighter” or “heavier” than 1.3 MT; mass is not in the data.

Which Citroen Traction Avant version to choose

All six share generation, Cabrio body, years 1934–1957, Gasoline, Carburetor, Manual 3, FWD, Independent, leaf spring front, Drum front, boost No. Generation does not change the choice. Body type does not change the choice. Price, parts listings, and cars for sale are not in the data.

Choose 1.3 MT if you want the smallest listed engine: 1303 cm³, 32 hp / 24 kW at 3600 rpm, 4 Inline, bore × stroke 72 × 80. It has the second-highest specific output among the fours after the 56 hp 1.9 MT, but the lowest absolute power.

Choose 1.5 MT only if 1529 cm³ and the 3200 rpm peak matter to you. You gain 3 hp over 1.3 MT and lose specific output. Versus 1.6 MT you are 1 hp down and 99 cm³ down, with rpm 3200 vs 3800.

Choose 1.6 MT if you want the largest of the small fours (1628 cm³) and the highest listed peak rpm (3800). You do not buy a meaningful power step versus 1.5 MT (+1 hp). Bore × stroke is not measured.

Choose 1.9 MT (46 hp) if you want 1911 cm³ and 46 hp / 34 kW without taking the stronger 1.9. Versus 1.6 MT that is +10 hp on +283 cm³. Versus the other 1.9 MT you give up 10 hp at the same 1911 cm³.

Choose 1.9 MT (56 hp) if you want the most power from a 4 Inline in this list: 56 hp / 41 kW, 1911 cm³, about 29.3 hp/l — the best specific output of all six. Versus 1.3 MT you more than double displacement only 1.47 times while raising power 1.75 times. Versus 2.9 MT you give up 21 hp and two cylinders but you keep 4 Inline and a smaller 1911 cm³ engine. Peak rpm and bore × stroke are not measured.

Choose 2.9 MT if the requirement is maximum catalogue power and the only 6 Inline: 77 hp / 57 kW, 2867 cm³, 78 × 100. You pay 956 cm³ over the 56 hp 1.9 MT for 21 hp, so litres work harder on the 56 hp four (~29.3 hp/l) than on this six (~26.9 hp/l). If cylinder count is the point, this is the only six-cylinder Traction Avant in the data.

Practical split: 1.3 MT / 1.5 MT / 1.6 MT are a 32–36 hp four-cylinder band (4 hp total spread). Both 1.9 MT cars are the mid step (46 or 56 hp, same 1911 cm³ — pick by the 10 hp gap). 2.9 MT is the 77 hp six. Interior, mpg, dimensions, weight, 0–100, and sale price cannot break the tie because they are not measured.