FR EN
1 / 9
a black car parked in front of a buildinga black and red vintage car parked in the grassa car engine with a lot of wires in the trunk of ita black car parked in front of a stone buildinga red and black car with a steering wheel and dashboarda red leather seat in the back of an old cara red and black convertible car parked in the grassa black car parked in front of a buildinga vintage car parked in front of a stone building
Premium OSENAT

111 - 1936 CITROËN TRACTION AL CABRIOLET
See original version (French)

Estimate €55,000 - €75,000
Sale commission
Description
1936 CITROËN TRACTION AL CABRIOLET Chassis No. 355413 Body No. 281 French vehicle registration document - One of 164 examples produced in 1936 - A legendary model - Restored in the early 2000s - In the same family since 1982 - Formerly owned by Olivier Lemesre, a leading expert on the model. Unveiled in 1934, the Citroën Traction Avant revolutionised the automotive landscape thanks to its monocoque structure, hydraulic brakes, front-wheel drive and torsion bar suspension. Among the most elegant and sought-after variants, the Cabriolet (or Décapotable) on the lightweight ‘AL ’ (Légère) chassis stands out for its flowing lines, its folding windscreen and its famous retractable ‘mother-in-law’ seat at the rear. Produced during a very short production run prior to the introduction of the 11 BL, the 11 AL Cabriolet is a rarity: only 164 examples rolled off the production lines at Quai de Javel in 1936. The example on display, chassis number 355413, boasts an exceptional pedigree. Originally owned by Olivier Lemesre, a leading figure and renowned Belgian specialist in the Traction — as evidenced by the period photographs of its arrival in Belgium included in the file —, the car was acquired in 1982 by the current owner’s father directly from him, in exchange for a Traction 11 Aeat. Since then, the convertible has remained faithfully in the same family. A meticulous and lengthy restoration was undertaken from 1990 onwards, culminating in 2003, restoring the vehicle to its former splendour. On this occasion, the car swapped its original black colour for a sumptuous ‘midnight blue’ shade that highlights the purity of its lines. This restoration is documented by a portfolio of photographs and an article in LVA. Combining rarity and traceability, and having remained in the same family since 1982, this Citroën Traction 11 AL Cabriolet represents a major heritage opportunity for any enthusiast of pre-war French luxury cars. 1936 Citroën Traction 11 AL Cabriolet Chassis 355413 Body No. 281 French vehicle registration document - One of 164 examples produced in 1936 - Legendary model - Restored in the early 2000s - In the same family since 1982 - Formerly owned by Olivier Lemesre, a leading expert on the model. Unveiled in 1934, the Citroën Traction Avant revolutionised the automotive landscape thanks to its monocoque structure, hydraulic brakes, front-wheel drive and torsion bar suspension. Among the most elegant and sought-after variants, the Cabriolet (or Décapotable) on the lightweight ‘AL’ (Légère) chassis stands out for its flowing lines, its folding windscreen and its famous retractable ‘mother-in-law’ seat at the rear. Produced during a very short production run prior to the introduction of the 11 BL, the 11 AL Cabriolet is a rarity: only 164 examples rolled off the production lines at the Quai de Javel in 1936. The example on display, chassis number 355413, boasts an exceptional pedigree. Originally owned by Olivier Lemesre, a leading figure and renowned Belgian specialist in the Traction — as evidenced by the period photographs of its arrival in Belgium included in the file — the car was acquired in 1982 by the current owner’s father directly from him, in exchange for a Traction 11 Aeat. Since then, the convertible has remained faithfully in the same family. A meticulous and lengthy restoration was undertaken from 1990 onwards, concluding in 2003, restoring the vehicle to its former splendour. On this occasion, the car was repainted from its original black to a sumptuous ‘midnight blue’ shade that highlights the purity of its lines. This restoration is documented by a portfolio of photographs and an article in LVA. Combining rarity and traceability, having remained in the same family since 1982, this Citroën Traction 11 AL Cabriolet represents a major heritage opportunity for any enthusiast of pre-war French luxury cars.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Epoqu'auto: Classic cars, the official sale
Auction location
Auction time 11/08/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like