[wasif]

So the car is getting a respray as we speak ? I see the filler covering the various sports that needed attention that can be seen in the earlier pictures.

So keeping the exterior original is no longer an option.

Please do post pictures of how it looks after the respray

[KPS]

Yes the car has been resprayed as there were bad patches where metal was exposed. Will post the pictures as we load the car tomorrow from home. The car passed Pollution Test without much problem! We have serviced the car got all the lights working as this is a must for RTO. No work has been done on the interiors other than that the leather seats were polished. Overall the car is fantastic condition on the engine side. Keeping in mind the Cal weather some tinkering and painting of the under chassis is required.

Cheers

KPS

[harit]

Originally Posted by IndrojitSircar

This type of rim was knows as the Artillery type wheel ...........

This is not an artilley wheel, see image below to give an idea of what it will look like.

Originally Posted by wasif

What has paint got to do with fitness. Fitness as per definition should deal with tehmechanical aspect of the car and no cosmetic

Some RTO's are fussy and strict, and outright stupid. Bangalore is strict, so they follow rules to a T. A shabby vehicle is shabby, more likely to be unfit than a neatly presented vehicle. Karnataka is generally unfriendly to old cars, registering them is difficult.
Bengal RTO's are some of the worst, no records survive and old car movement is not encouraged.

Cheers harit

[IndrojitSircar]

Originally Posted by harit

This is a Traction Avant wheel rim. With and without hubcap. Was this fitted to the French or British cars? If I remember some Citroen rims needed Michelin tyres because the mounting to the rim had a different arrangement, something like beaded edge? And when the leaders of our great nationimposed restrictive import policies, tyres for these cars became an issue and rims were changed. I am looking for such a rim to add to my collection.

Cheers harit

Originally Posted by IndrojitSircar

This type of rim was knows as the Artillery type wheel and came normally on the 4 cylinder French cars. Yes you are right about the tyres. Most of the cars had a problem with the tyres because these cars used a metric size tyre - 185/400 X / TT made only by Michelin. The Size was something between 15in and 16in. So 15 would be small and 16 would be big. So the common thin g done by people was to modify the well of the rim and make it 15in. Once the rim was 15in you could get a variety of tyres in that sizes locally.

Originally Posted by harit

This is not an artilley wheel, see image below to give an idea of what it will look like.

Cheers harit

Sir,

The picture you have uploaded in the last post is not correct. The Artillery type wheels were also called Pilote wheels. I should have mentioned that in my post. A picture attached below for your reference. Also The Citroen's had a 5 stud wheels.



Also the picture in your last post, there were no Citroen Traction Avant's with that type of rims in my knowledge. Incase you have a picture in your collection with these rims fitted to a car, please upload it for us to view.

Please correct me if i am wrong.

A Brochure for your reference which clearly mentions what i am saying.

Regards

Indrojit Sircar

[wasif]

There is a reason behind why the tire size on thsi car was non standard and theonly company who made them was Michelin.

The reason was that Michein hadjust bailed out Citroen and they wanted to ensure that they get all the business for supplying tires for this car

[KPS]

Here are the pictures of the car dressed up to go to Calcutta. She leaves the shores of Bangalore on a new journey where I am sure she will be runner. Ak will surely run this car once he gets it mechanical fixed. Fact that she was not run for more than a decade will require some work to be done before she becomes a reliable runner





Cheers

KPS

[adkol]

It all thanks to KPS and his father Mr. Ganapathy. I would have been at sea without these two outstanding persons. And, with the last second problem suddenly looming over us this morning, if Mr. Ganapathy had not pulled strings i would be spending another 2 weeks here in the garden city.

Even the RTO inspector was in awe when he saw the car and I for a second thought he may not allow me to take the car out Bangalore!!

[mbz180]

Originally Posted by adkol

It all thanks to KPS and his father Mr. Ganapathy. I would have been at sea without these two outstanding persons. And, with the last second problem suddenly looming over us this morning, if Mr. Ganapathy had not pulled strings i would be spending another 2 weeks here in the garden city.

Even the RTO inspector was in awe when he saw the car and I for a second thought he may not allow me to take the car out Bangalore!!

Congratulations on your car having passed the RTO test. Really looking forward to seeing it once it is in Calcutta. I am sure with the mechanicals sorted out, and I say this because I gather she was not running for a decade nearly, she will be a reliable runner.

Best Regards
Prithvi

[adkol]

Thank you Prithvi. You can come over to see anytime next weekend.

Right now post seeing some of Dr. Ravi Prakash's car, am in a bit of wonderland.

Cheers
AK

[IndrojitSircar]

Originally Posted by adkol

Thank you Prithvi. You can come over to see anytime next weekend.

Right now post seeing some of Dr. Ravi Prakash's car, am in a bit of wonderland.

Cheers
AK

Any pictures of Dr. RAvi Prakash's car ? I hope i get a ride in your when i am in Calcutta next time.

[adkol]

No photographs of his cars. He is doing up Citroën Traction Avant 4 cly, among others.
Sparky, you are welcome whenever you are in Cal next.

[adkol]

Originally Posted by harit

Hi adkol,

Congrats on your purchase. lovely car, and the English version has somehow more class than the French one has.
Now what to do with your car is for you to figure out.
Personally, I would not do much except a 100% mechanical overhaul, but 100% I mean to have it up and about with 100% reliability, not dismantle each and every component.
The leather upholstry I would keep as it is, apply "Hide food" on the leather as it is dry and cracked. Maybe a suitably loose cover can be put, or if you find a skilled upholsterer maybe he can replace some segments. While doing that you may also get some backing or new foam put in the seats
Regarding paint, I would try to touch up the bad areas and not do a complete respray. Today with modern technology these guys can even match faded paints.
Finally the decision is your yours, enjoy the car and be a proud owner.
Your name adkol is ad from Kolkatta?

Cheers harit

Harit / Wasif, Sorry for the late reply came back after a fall in Bangalore post loading of the car .
I have decided to keep the car as original as it can be kept. Therefore am only working on the car as you both have suggested. This car has been kept well to a major extent and am not looking winning prizes at a rally anyway!
The originality is what drew me and and shall sustain it to the best of my ability.

Yes, Harit, I am Adhir and as suggested by you through our mutual friend shall call you for your thoughts and inputs.

[wasif]

Sorry to hear about your fall, hope you feel better now.

Believe me if you do a sympathetic restoration on the mechanicals and feed the leather with hide food you will have a car that will win you prizes in the original catagories.

Since the car is now repainted it is best to concentrate on geting it mechanically in top shape so you can have the pleasure of driving it.

The six cylinder was a nice and powerfull car so you will have plenty of fun with it.

Do post close up pics of it once it lands in Kolkatta.

[adkol]

Originally Posted by wasif

Sorry to hear about your fall, hope you feel better now.

Believe me if you do a sympathetic restoration on the mechanicals and feed the leather with hide food you will have a car that will win you prizes in the original catagories.

Since the car is now repainted it is best to concentrate on geting it mechanically in top shape so you can have the pleasure of driving it.

The six cylinder was a nice and powerfull car so you will have plenty of fun with it.

Do post close up pics of it once it lands in Kolkatta.

Wasif, thanks, it a bit better now.We will first work on the clutch, as it gave way on the day of the inspection and therefore KPS's father Mr. Ganapathi had to pull some strings to have the RTO Inspection cleared. Maybe the car did not want to leave Bangalore!! It arrives in Calcutta on Saturday.

Next, we will work on the on the Mechanicals and not touch the body as the Monsoons are in full flow in Calcutta presently.

Shall upload the photographs as suggested

[vivriti]

Wondering whether the 'PYP' registered car or any of the other black Citroen Traction Avant's were at one time in Chennai.

Used to see a black one during the late 70s to 80s' regularly used in Gandhi Nagar, Adyar area of Chennai when I studied at a nearby school.

Had become so enamored with that and got myself a scale model of it.