1958 Citroen 15 SIX Cabriolet – Exterior and Interior – Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden 2022

Within the history of Citroën, the Traction Avant occupies a pivotal role as one of the most technically advanced cars of the 1930s. The Citroën 15 Six Cabriolet represents the rarest and most exclusive expression of this revolutionary platform.

Technical Details:

The Citroën 15 Six Cabriolet (Traction Avant) was based on the most powerful variant of the Traction Avant range, the 15-six. At its heart was a water-cooled inline six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 2,867 cc. This OHV power unit produced around 76–77 horsepower at 3,800 rpm, an impressive figure for the late 1930s and well suited to long-distance touring. The engine featured a bore and stroke of 78 × 100 mm and a compression ratio of 6.3:1.

As with all Traction Avant models, the drivetrain layout was unconventional for its time. Power was sent to the front wheels, making this the first Citroën six-cylinder automobile with front-wheel drive. The gearbox, mounted ahead of the engine and selected via a dashboard-mounted gear lever, offered three forward gears and one reverse. Both engine and transmission were mounted on silent blocks to reduce vibration.

The chassis concept was equally advanced. The self-supporting monocoque body lowered overall weight and center of gravity compared with traditional body-on-frame competitors. Front and rear suspension relied on torsion bars, with independently suspended driven front wheels mounted on double wishbones. At the rear, a rigid axle guided by trailing arms and a Panhard rod ensured stability. This sophisticated layout delivered outstanding road holding and ride comfort, widely praised in period driving impressions. With a long wheelbase of 3,090 mm, a 70-liter fuel tank, and balanced weight distribution achieved by positioning the engine behind the front axle, the 15 Six Cabriolet was conceived as a refined and capable grand touring machine rather than a pure sports car.

• Manufacturer: Citroën
• Model Name: 15 six Cabriolet (Traction Avant 15-six)
• Year of Manufacturing: 1938–1939

Design:

Visually, the Citroën 15 Six Cabriolet followed the unmistakable Traction Avant design language while adding an air of exclusivity and elegance. Its flowing, aerodynamic body reflected the Streamline Moderne aesthetic, characterized by smooth surfaces, integrated fenders, and a low, elongated silhouette. Unlike upright contemporaries, the Citroën 15 Six Cabriolet’s shape clearly signaled its technical modernity and front-wheel-drive layout.

As a cabriolet, the car combined the long proportions of the Citroën 15 Six Cabriolet chassis with an open body, creating a rare and striking profile. The absence of a fixed roof emphasized the car’s low beltline and accentuated its length. Although never standardized, the few completed examples featured refined interior trim and careful craftsmanship, befitting their special status. The overall appearance was understated yet powerful, aligning luxury with engineering sophistication rather than ornamentation.

Historical Significance:

Within the history of Citroën, the Traction Avant occupies a pivotal role as one of the most technically advanced cars of the 1930s. The Citroën 15 Six Cabriolet represents the rarest and most exclusive expression of this revolutionary platform. While the standard Citroën 15 Six entered regular production in 1938, the cabriolet version never progressed beyond a handful of experimental and semi-finished vehicles.

Historical sources suggest that in 1938–1939, approximately seven Citroën 15 Six Cabriolet bodies were produced, of which only three were completed with full interiors. The project originated from a special request by the Michelin family after Michelin had taken control of Citroën. However, the outbreak of the Second World War abruptly halted further development and prevented any form of series production.

Technically, the Citroën 15 Six Cabriolet showcased the full potential of the Traction Avant concept: a powerful six-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive, monocoque construction, and advanced suspension working in harmony. Although it never reached customers as a catalog model, its existence underlined Citroën’s engineering ambition on the eve of the war.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

The story of the Citroën 15 Six Cabriolet has become automotive legend. Of the few cars built, only three authentic examples are known to have survived. One was finished in a dark green shade for Madame Michelin, another in white for Mr. Martell, and a third in red, partially completed before the war and finally finished and delivered in 1946. One of these vehicles was even equipped with a right-rotating engine, adding yet another layer of uniqueness.

Because of their extreme rarity, these cabriolets were never seen by the general public in period and did not acquire the widespread cultural presence of the standard Traction Avant. Instead, they have become mythical objects among collectors and historians, symbolizing a “what-might-have-been” chapter in Citroën history—an elite open-top Traction that remained almost entirely hidden from its own era.

Display and preservation:

The vehicle was exhibited at the Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden in 2022. Set in the elegant spa gardens of Baden-Baden, this open-air event is one of Germany’s most atmospheric classic car gatherings. The 2022 edition marked the 46th year of the meeting and featured over 350 carefully selected vintage vehicles from across Europe. With its picturesque backdrop and festive ambiance, the event draws thousands of visitors who stroll among historic automobiles, enjoy live music, and take in themed displays. In 2022, American classics and convertibles were especially well represented, reflecting the event’s continued celebration of both international and domestic automotive heritage.

Conclusion:

The Citroën 15 Six Cabriolet (Traction Avant) stands as one of the most elusive automobiles ever associated with the brand. Built in only a few prototype and semi-prototype examples, it was neither officially launched nor mass-produced. Yet it embodied everything that made the Traction Avant revolutionary: front-wheel drive, monocoque construction, advanced suspension, and exceptional road holding, combined here with the smooth power of a six-cylinder engine. Today, the surviving cabriolets are not only rare collector’s items but also rolling testaments to Citroën’s bold engineering vision on the brink of a world forever changed.