Original page created on 29/04/2021; updated on 8/05/2023.
Brand - Reference
Les Classiques SAI 6100
Type
Citroën 11B Traction Avant 1953
Comments
From the information read from the websites listed below, it seems that this model is from 1953 and not 1952 as indicated by SAI.
This model is successful overall, far superior to the Norev / Atlas version. The scale is correct, except for the height (+0.8 mm). It is painted, turn signals and lights too. Headlights and mirrors (outside and inside) are inserted. Finely chromed grille. The headlights are the correct size. The headlight glasses are poorly positioned and have a sort of dark pupil which gives not very credible “eyes”. Inserted bumpers a little too thick. Windscreen with integrated silver wipers.
There are a few details that spoil the whole: first, the front
wing mud flaps, too big and treated as if they were an integral part of the wings.
Secondly, the bonnet grilles are recessed when they should be perfectly flush. Here is a comparative
photo (real car: photo extract from Alf van Beem).
Finally, the
windscreen is not flush either.
The wheels are correct, but not centred.
The mouse grey interior is correctly done. The black steering wheel is inserted.
The car can be disassembled with two screws. It consists of three
main parts: the chassis with the wheels, the interior with the front
wings, and the body. Photo.
Modifications
Modified headlights: removal of the nail-shaped glass; hollowing out the
parabola with a spherical mill bit; application of Molotow Liquid Chrome;
application of a touch of yellow in the centre. Here is the result.
History
The Citroën Traction Avant was manufactured from 1934 to 1957.
Characteristics (model 11B 1953): in-line four-cylinder motor, 1911 cm3, 42 kW (58 hp). Tyres 165 × 400. Top speed 115 km/h. Weight 1120 kg.
Documents:
- Wikipedia article.
- Citroenet.org website.
- Technical characteristics of model 11B on Autotitre.com.
- Technical characteristics of model 11B 1953 on automobile-catalog.com.
- Reconnaître une Traction avant / après 1952 (Recognising a Traction Avant before / after 1952) on onlinehome.fr (PDF).
- Photos on Wikimedia.
- Article and photos on stubs-auto.fr.
| Dimension | Actual | 1:87 | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4 630 | 53.2 | 54.0 |
| Width | 1 760 | 20.2 | 20.5 |
| Height | 1 540 | 17.7 | 18.5 |
| Wheelbase | 3 090 | 35.5 | 35.6 |
| Front track | 1 490 | 17.1 | 17.4 |
| Rear track | 1 470 | 16.9 | 17.1 |
| Wheel diameter | 697 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| Tyre width | 165 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
Molotow Liquid Chrome marker
€5,95 (⌀ 1 mm) or €6,25 (⌀ 2 mm),
at Le géant des beaux-arts
The original website is no longer accessible.
You can access a copy of the article
at web.archive.org.