Stored Seven Decades: 1919 Citroën Four-Seat Torpedo
André Citroën was making munitions through WWI, but as the war drew to a close, he sought inspiration for his next venture in the new market for automobiles. Across the pond from France, Ford’s fast-selling Model T was cheap, easy to work on (though needing plenty of that!), and durable. The promise was obvious: cars would become popular and indispensable. Citroën produced his first car in 1919, the Type A, on an assembly line of his own making. Like with so many things Citroën, both these were firsts in Europe: the mass-produced car, and the assembly line. The Type A was available in several styles and two wheelbases, including a four- or three-seat “torpedo” (a sleek body with a folding top), a coupé, a sedan, and custom variants. More than 24,000 examples were sold from 1919 through 1921. Today’s four-seat torpedo from Citroën’s first year of production has been in storage for seventy years. T.J. found this splendid historical artifact for us – thanks T.J.!
The engine is a 1.3-liter four-cylinder making about 18 hp, coupled with a three-speed non-synchro manual gearbox. The car does run and has had a recent oil change. The Type A’s final drive gear is constructed with herringboned teeth – the result of a patent that Citroën acquired from a carpenter when he visited Poland. Those herringboned gears were incorporated into Citroën’s chevron emblem. A foot-operated drum brake on the transmission shaft and a hand-operated mechanical brake on the rear wheels provided sufficient stopping power. Reverse elliptical springs absorbed road shock. Top speed was about 40 mph.
The interior is rudimentary, with only an ampere gauge in front of the driver. The gauge to the right is an aftermarket item – probably a speedometer, a feature barely required when this car was launched. An electric start and electric lights were standard equipment from the beginning of production – both rarities in the day. That hefty three-spoke steering wheel is original. This is a three-door model: rear-seat passengers entered via a rear door on the passenger’s side. The spare is installed on the outside rear left flank.
This very early Citroën Type A is listed here on facebook Marketplace, with a price of $12,500. It’s located in Elgin, Illinois. The market for Citroën’s first car is not as thin as we’d think. This tidy, well-running example was bid to $8000 a few years ago; this Coupé de Ville was sold for $13,440 just recently, and it will need a full restoration. Any Citroën fans out there, wanting to reach back in time to add this beauty to a collection?
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Comments
“Hello, Autozone? Yeah, I need a connecting rod bearing for my 1919 Citroen Torpedo, and I thought maybe……hello? Can you hear me? Are you still there?…….”
Ha! That’s my line. Wouldn’t you be blown away if they said, “yep, we got one”,,,I’ve found AZ will surprise you. They had everything for the ’77 GMC. A 100 year old Citroen, be a bit of a stretch. I read, there actually is an Autozone( spelled different) in Paris that specializes in such matters.
parts for citroen torpedo ar no probleem in europa
That’s in remarkably good condition. Buy it and take a Barn Finds stand at Retromobile next year!
And maybe find some spares! … that’s a great idea.
Who needs a speedometer? A pedometer would be better consider how fast it doesn’t go. I might add however, this car was the inspiration for the 2CV.
Inspiration for the 2CV? How so?
When did they stop referring to (shipping) mines as “torpedo” and call those underwater self-propelled ship killers torpedos?
“Damn the torpedos! Full speed ahead! – Asking for Farragut.
It would be the coolest car at “cars and coffee”…….even if left with its patina, which it should be. As to just 40 mph? No big deal. Enjoy slow drives in the countryside, takes kids around the block, go for ice cream, get off the freeway for once!
I don’t know anything about these cars I think it’s kinda cool but the seller has it posted on the wrong website if they posted it here where it would get World wide attention instead of just their local market it would probably be sold already
I think that Barn Finds would receive a great deal of coverage if they were to do just that, and I’m sure the people advertising to sell their vehicles via Barn Finds auction would be overjoyed.
I myself have a Citroën torpedo from 1919.
This car here was later repainted, the original color was gris torpilleur, (Citroën initially used an old stock of warship paint), and the mudguards and wheels black. The ignition was with an RB magneto, and the wheels much larger and narrower with 710×90 heel tires. The headlights are also from the 1930s.
For the rest it looks original. Spare parts are still readily available!
The car drives very smoothly and is light to steer. A pleasure to drive with it, and you always have many admirers.
Elgin has Rte. 25 and Rte. 31 running through the Fox Valley area. Has scenic bike paths that run 30 plus miles along the riverfront. Rode my vintage Schwinn cruiser up and down those paths for years.
One of the most uncommon cars seen for sale in the U.S. this year. If I had the space, I’d buy it to keep my 2CV company. Have passed it along to Citroen friends.