2. Citroen Traction Avant
Citroen was always famous for its quest for innovation and avant-garde designs, making it one of the quintessential French automotive symbols. The first car ever to materialize all of Citroen’s ways of thinking was the famous Traction Avant, a mid-size family sedan they introduced in 1934.
In the 1930s, Citroen was one of the biggest car factories in Europe, but the company wanted more than just market success. They wanted to revolutionize the concept of family transport and the construction of the automobile. Citroen hoped to offer much more than their competitors. So, in 1934, they introduced the Citroen 11 CV Traction Avant. It was one of the most advanced production cars in pre-war Europe.
First, the Traction Avant had an unusual front-wheel drive; hence, the name. Second, it had a unibody construction at a time when all cars had a heavy, ladder-type chassis. Third, it came with an independent suspension on both axles, which was an extremely advanced design for the times. Suddenly, all other cars on the market looked outdated compared to the Traction Avant.
Fortunately, the market responded well, making the Traction Avant a sales hit, lasting in production until 1955. Most of their cars were four-door sedans, but Citroen also produced some cool-looking coupes and convertibles, as well.