Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
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norustplease
Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 782 Location: Lancashire
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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 1:09 am Post subject: 1953 Citroen Traction |
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I am not sure whether this should go down as a new acquisition or under senior moments, but I awarded myself a Christmas present and increased the fleet back up to three, with this…..
It’s a 1953 Slough built Citroen Traction Light 15, imported (but not by me) earlier this year from South Africa, where it appears to have spent most of its life and scratches a very long standing itch to own one of these cars. It has obviously been restored at some point and, I suspect, probably not used very much in the interim, and is in dark grey metallic paint with a nicely reupholstered leather interior.
Driving is an interesting experience, with a three speed gearchange sticking out of the dashboard. Smooth shifts are a bit of an art, but with only three speeds and relatively low gearing, changes are much reduced in number. The front wheel drive set up and torsion bar suspension means that corners can be taken much more briskly than most period cars, and overall the car is much more roomy and comfortable than my other pre-war car, with its flat floor and wider stance. Acceleration from rest is unspectacular, but once on the move , the car is surprisingly responsive, keeps up with the traffic without any problems and at more modest speeds, one can imagine covering longer distances in fairly relaxed fashion, the gearing making frequent gear changes relatively unnecessary in main road use.
It needs a few odds and ends doing initially, I am at the moment fitting flashing indicators, which I reckon are a must for modern road conditions, it has a very noisy Facet type fuel pump which I shall be replacing with an SU and there is a slight leak from the water pump flange which needs looking at. It will also be getting a full service with loads of grease into the front steering suspension and transmission joints and a good coat of Waxoyl on its undersides..
_________________ 1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV |
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COMMAD
Joined: 12 Dec 2011 Posts: 176 Location: Gold Coast. Australia
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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 7:20 am Post subject: |
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Very nice, I'm very envious of you... |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22458 Location: UK
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traction39
Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 399 Location: South Wales
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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 10:16 am Post subject: |
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SNAP!!OK so mine is Black of the same year.
Great fun to drive, and as you say very responsive on a country road.
Alistair
Citroen Light 15 1953, Light 12 1939,
Riley 9 Special 1932 |
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peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7124 Location: Edinburgh
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D4B
Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK
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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 11:03 am Post subject: |
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Very nice - both of them |
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Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4765 Location: Swindon, Wilts.
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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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Hi
What is the significance of the different lengths of the front wings rearwards(under the front doors)?
Is it just the paint protectors on the black one extending further than the wing itself _________________ Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22458 Location: UK
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traction39
Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 399 Location: South Wales
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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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After market accessories! Originally made by Robri but copied by others. The front ones have a boot scraper. The rear protect the wings. _________________ Alistair
Citroen Light 15 1953, "12" 1939,
Riley 9 Special 1932 |
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norustplease
Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 782 Location: Lancashire
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:52 am Post subject: |
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Nice car.
I see that you have an aerial, do you have a period radio as well?
I need some door mirrors like yours also, I find it hard to adjust to the dashtop mounted rear view mirror.
I have noticed that my car appears to have some slightly non standard wheels, which are a little fatter, to allow modern tyres to be fitted. _________________ 1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV |
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traction39
Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 399 Location: South Wales
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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I have a period radio that has never made it into the car! The aerial is attached to a modern radio hidden under the dash; speakers under the seats!
The period radio (FM converted) will be put in my Light 12 when that is back on the road....sometime in the next century! By that time FM will no longer exist! (The Riley jumped the queue!)
I like the bench seat. I was looking for one but the seller wanted ridiculous money for one that was in a terrible condition.
The door mirrors are clamp-on, fixed to the doors. _________________ Alistair
Citroen Light 15 1953, "12" 1939,
Riley 9 Special 1932 |
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norustplease
Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 782 Location: Lancashire
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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From what I can see on cars at shows and in Google images, the bench seat is a bit of rarity. Its good and comfortable and the lack of transmission tunnel makes it easy to slide across if there is an obstruction to opening the drivers door.
I had thought of a hidden radio installation myself, and the car is negative earth which should make fitting something fairly easy.
Have fitted indicators now, using Rubberlite units hung under the bumper, which seems a good compromise between visibility when flashing and invisibility the rest of the time. Just waiting for a suitable flasher unit which will work LED's. (lights not on photograph).
Next fix is the fuel gauge, which is behaving erratically. _________________ 1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV |
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traction39
Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 399 Location: South Wales
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 12:03 am Post subject: |
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The period radio was left out as there was not much space once I had put a Clayton heater below the dash. That's what I tell myself!
The Clayton is mounted where the rear engine mount is accessed.
My fuel gauge still plays up. I replaced the earth connection and cleaned the wire resistor and it works for a while.... _________________ Alistair
Citroen Light 15 1953, "12" 1939,
Riley 9 Special 1932 |
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norustplease
Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 782 Location: Lancashire
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 1:22 pm Post subject: |
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What grade of oil do you use? Most of the literature that I have seen seems to suggest 30 grade, but I wonder if a 'classic' 20/50 (ie: non detergent) might be better. _________________ 1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV |
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traction39
Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 399 Location: South Wales
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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CASTROL CLASSIC XL 20W-50 Is what I put in last year. _________________ Alistair
Citroen Light 15 1953, "12" 1939,
Riley 9 Special 1932 |
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