Description

1953 Citroen Light 15

Slough-built RHD; leather trim and wooden dash; sunroof; lots of history; recent new Blockley front tyres; all up and running and ready for this year

This splendidly original Light 15 was built at Citroen's Slough factory in May 1953. Production of RHD cars used some local content, which in this case included leather seats and a wooden dashboard. This example was first delivered to the Ambassador of a minor Gulf State we are told, and came with several extra-cost items including a metal sliding sunroof, rear head rests and metallic paint.

Its second owner was an RAF pilot, who fitted four point harnesses to the front seats (fixings still visible) and had the engine rebuilt by F J Payne of Oxford in 1967 with a full rebore and regrind. Its third owner acquired it in January 1971 and used it as his 'everyday' for a few years before the car was put away in his garage.

Invoices on file show an extensive restoration in 1983 by Car-Poole of Cheltenham. They fitted a new floorpan, door bottoms, inner and outer sills, boot floor, wing edges and resprayed it in cellulose (Sunset Grey) although it had little use after that.

It was exhumed from the shed for the owner's daughter to use at her wedding, Traction Services recommissioning the car in 2004. It then went back into hibernation, returning to regular use in September last year in fresh hands.

Its new owner gave the car a through going over, with a brake overhaul, comprehensive service, carburettor rebuild and a pair of Blockley tyres up front.

The car appeared in the February 2022 copy of the Automoible (copy included) and has a local following among those who favour 'oily rag' originality over shiny restorations. The file also includes two factory manuals, a copy handbook, a repair manual and the Brooklands Book on the Traction Avant. It even comes with a spare set of keys.

The oldest of its nine old MOTs dates from 1971 which showed an indicated 50,000 miles at this time, suggesting that the current reading of 57,497 miles could be correct. The car has been starting immediately since it has been with us and feels very taut when driving onsite for the photographs.

For more information - contact matthew.parkin@brightwells.com