1954 Citroën 11CV Traction Avant Commerciale
French ingenuity produced one of the automotive world’s earliest practical hatchbacks with this innovative wagon variant. The Commerciale featured a large single-piece rear hatch that opened upward, providing direct access to the cargo area.
This updated design replaced the more complex two-piece rear door arrangement used in prewar models, making loading and unloading easier for craftsmen and small business owners while maintaining the vehicle’s refined appearance.
Built on the extended Familiale chassis, the Commerciale offered impressive versatility through removable interior panels that allowed it to transform from a practical weekday hauler into a comfortable family sedan. The rear seats could be repositioned or removed entirely, creating a flat wooden floor capable of carrying up to approximately 660 pounds (300 kg) of cargo.
Seating was flexible, with space for five passengers in standard configuration or up to seven when equipped with the optional folding third-row bench. Optional accessories included loading ramps for wine barrels and specialized crates for transporting small livestock or goods.
Power came from a 1.9-liter (117 cubic inch) inline four-cylinder engine producing about 56 horsepower, paired with a three-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels. The “11CV” designation referred to the French fiscal horsepower tax rating rather than actual engine output.
The 11CV Commerciale represented Citroën’s continued evolution of the groundbreaking Traction Avant platform, which had pioneered mass-produced front-wheel drive, unitary body construction, and independent front suspension when introduced in 1934. Production of the Commerciale continued through 1957, making it one of the most enduring and influential designs of its era.
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