Citroën Traction Six Cylinder Slough 1951 - An exceptional miniature
This Citroën Traction Six Cylinder Slough from 1951 is a remarkable piece for any automobile miniature enthusiast. Reproduced at 1/43 scale in its original green livery, it perfectly captures the elegance and innovation of this English version of the legendary French Traction Avant.
This miniature represents an exceptional historical model, a witness to Citroën's international expansion in the post-war years and the local adaptation of French innovations to the British market.
Miniature features
- Model: Traction Six Cylinder Slough
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1951
- Scale: 1/43 scale
- Color: Green
- Protective case included: Yes
The history of the Traction Six Cylinder Slough
The Traction Six Cylinder Slough was born out of a commercial and technical necessity. After World War II, Citroën sought to conquer the British market with its revolutionary Traction Avant but needed to adapt to local specifics. The Slough factory, near London, became the production center for this British version.
This variant is distinguished by its 2.9-liter six-cylinder engine, more powerful than the French versions, meeting the expectations of British customers accustomed to larger capacities. The bodywork, while retaining the revolutionary lines of the Traction, benefits from subtle adaptations to British tastes, particularly in finishes and interior equipment.
Produced from 1949 to 1953, this English Traction garnered an estimable success among British connoisseurs, charming them with its ride comfort and exceptional handling, inherited from the revolutionary front-wheel drive concept.
Citroën in 1951: innovation and expansion
In 1951, Citroën was at a pivotal point in its history. Under the leadership of André Citroën and then Pierre-Jules Boulanger, the brand continued its strategy of technical innovation while developing its international markets. The Traction Avant, launched in 1934, remains the technological flagship of the brand.
This era marks the peak of the Traction before the arrival of the DS in 1955. Citroën masterfully controlled its revolutionary technology and adapted it to various European markets. The Slough factory represented this international ambition, demonstrating the brand's ability to establish itself sustainably abroad while maintaining its unique technical DNA. The brand was also secretly preparing its next revolution with preliminary studies of what would become the DS 19.
A French ambassador on British roads
The Traction Six Cylinder Slough holds a special place in British automotive history of the 1950s. As Britain gradually emerges from post-war austerity, this Citroën "made in England" fascinates with its radically different technical approach compared to local productions.
The engineers at Slough meticulously adapted the Traction to British specifics: right-hand drive naturally, as well as recalibrated suspensions for English roads and equipment suited to the local climate. This attention to detail appealed to a clientele of connoisseurs, particularly British engineers and intellectuals admiring the French technical audacity.
A delightful anecdote tells that several British manufacturers discreetly acquired samples to closely study Citroën's technical solutions, particularly the front-wheel drive system and the monocoque structure. Thus, this English Traction became a true rolling laboratory for the British automotive industry.
Ironically, this French car made in England durably influenced certain technical choices of British manufacturers in the following decades, helping to spread Citroën innovation well beyond the hexagonal borders.
Complete your Citroën miniature collection
This Traction Six Cylinder Slough naturally finds its place in a collection dedicated to French automotive innovations. It interacts perfectly with other models in the Citroën range, especially the French versions of the Traction Avant or the legendary DS.
Collectors passionate about 1950s automobiles will particularly appreciate this piece that illustrates the international expansion of the French automotive industry post-war. It ideally complements a thematic collection on French cars or exceptional sedans.
This miniature appeals to both seasoned collectors and automotive history enthusiasts eager to possess an authentic testament to Citroën's technical boldness and its international influence in the 1950s.
