1939 Citroën Traction Avant 15 Six Roadster
- Engine
- 2.9L OHV inline-six, 74 bhp
- Colour
- Dark green
Chassis 680959 is the first of only four Citroën 15 Six Roadsters ever completed, from a planned 1939 production run of five that was cancelled at the outbreak of war. Never catalogued by the factory, it was originally delivered to Anna Michelin, widow of Pierre Michelin. The sole surviving example retaining factory serial numbers, it carries Citroën Heritage certification and has passed through a distinguished chain of French, American, Dutch, and German owners, undergoing restoration to original factory specification along the way.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €650,000 – €1,100,000
- 1939 → 1951Factory deliveryAnna Michelinpartial documentation
Widow of Pierre Michelin and daughter of Edouard Michelin; used the car as personal transportation. Vehicle was built with several bespoke features at her specification.
- 1951 → 1954Private saleEric Blochpartial documentation
Had the bodywork refinished in a darker shade of green during his ownership.
- 1954 → 1980Private saleRichard Haynespartial documentation
American enthusiast who understood the car's historical importance; commissioned research into its provenance through US Citroën distributor Charles Buchet. Upon arrival in Detroit, a chrome grille and straight bumpers were fitted and the body was repainted metallic gold.
- 1980 →InheritanceSon of Richard Haynespartial documentation
Stored the car in Wisconsin before eventually selling it, reportedly in the early 1990s.
- → 1997Private saleDonald 'Red' Dellignerpartial documentation
Citroën dealer and collector based in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania; later provided a lead on the whereabouts of the original engine to the subsequent owner.
- 1997 →Private saleNico Michonpartial documentation
Notable Dutch Traction Avant enthusiast who tracked down the original engine at a Citroën dealer in Rouen and oversaw a full restoration to factory configuration with period-correct colour and trim.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownGerman ownerpartial documentation
Current custodian based in Germany; undertook a careful repaint in what is believed to be the original dark green, traces of which were found in panel shut faces.
Competition
- 2003-02-01Rétromobile 2003
The car was exhibited at the Paris show and attracted significant attention from visitors and press.
- —EuroCitro
Event held on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans; the car participated as part of its post-restoration rally activity.
- —Tractionades
Rally held on the Charade circuit near Clermont-Ferrand; one of several events the car has taken part in under Dutch registration.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1954Modification
On arrival at the port of Detroit, a chrome radiator grille and straight bumpers were fitted, and the bodywork was repainted in metallic gold.
Work carried out at the direction of Richard Haynes upon the car's importation to the United States.
- —Restoration
Full restoration to original factory specification, including sourcing and refitting the original engine retrieved from a Citroën dealer in Rouen, and refinishing in a period-appropriate colour and interior trim.
Commissioned by Nico Michon; completed prior to the car's display at Rétromobile in February 2003.
- —Bodywork
The car was carefully repainted in what is believed to be the original dark green livery, confirmed by traces of the colour discovered in the body's shut faces.
Carried out during the current German ownership period.
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