Citroen Cars
In 1929, Lucie Rosengart, which had previously been a partner at Citroen, bought a licence to manufacture the German Trumpf, front-wheel drive car model designed by the engineer Stir and built by Adler in Frankfurt. Rosengart, after several attempts, managed to convince him to buy Citroën his license, which he immediately began the construction of several experimental prototypes.
During the tests revealed a number of flaws that made discourage technicians Citroën on working with licenses and devoted entirely unconnected to draft a design totally own. Something similar happened with the gearbox for this project. At that time, Citroën is of equal concern for an automatic change of speeds invented by Sensaud From Lavaud. When was already built a number of units were discovered some flaws in this change, despite being very interesting, was not sufficiently developed for mounting on models. When was already invested a lot of money in this gearbox had to be abandoned and replaced by another box conventional home Citroën.
The engine of 7, designed by Maurice Sainturat, chief engineer of the workshops Delage and later Hotchkiss, was a four-cylinder valves in the head, effective, but without major ambitions and that was far more wolverine what at first was specified.
The first “Traction”, 7, was introduced in “petit comite” March 23, 1934 with certain privileged dealers in workshops Javel, but the official presentation does not take place until April 18 of that year. The aim was to be the model with which beat across the line Renault, but the truth is that he was a complete failure. The model was launched on April 7, 1303 cm ³ and 32 hp, but it was immediately replaced by a number of construction problems.
One of the first misfortunes happened to this model as extremely revolutionary, is that its chassis was started. There was some experience with the structures monohull or knew enough about their actual behaviour, on its forging, welding, etc.. The result was, in part, catastrophic although, of course, the first units of 7 served as a testing ground rolling unbeatable in real conditions. It is regrettable that these realities have brought about these owners and the cry in the sky. Another serious problem was raised from 7 because of resistance by the boards cardánicas, which were not entirely safe. With a structure that was started in one direction rather than dangerous, it is not unusual that the model 7 precipitara always the poor financial situation of Andre Citroen (from this point of view was the true creator of the flight forwards), and carry its factory to ruin, from which drew the Michelin brothers who, in their style, ie more prudently and without haste, continued the path of 7 refine this model and making the front-wheel drive car Citroën to become the best European car.
At the Paris Motor Show in October 1934 were presented models 7 B, 1,529 cc and 35 hp, 11 lightweight, 1,911 cc and 46 hp, initially presented with the name of 7 Sport, 11 normal and 46 cc 1911 CV, but throughout the previous 22 hp V8 3,822 cc and 100 hp prototype ghost that never come to be produced.
In place of this 22 hp, Citroën introduced in the summer of 1938 to 15, with six-cylinder engine and 2.8 liter engine.