Citroën Traction 15-Six Cabriolet Worblaufen
French title Carrosserie Worblaufen n°979 - Rare and genuine 15-Six cabriolet - Single owner for over 40 years - Special and exclusive body - Superb presentation - One of two Worblaufen cabriolets listed Citroën could not be accused of over-producing the Traction 15-Six, with just two examples officially listed by the factory. This vacuum provoked a reaction from two coachbuilders, who developed their own versions. Curiously both Langenthal and Worblaufen were from Switzerland, with the latter being much more prolific than the former, producing fifteen examples, two in 1948 and 13 in 1949, while Langenthal built just two. Of the total number built, there are records of only one surviving Langenthal 15 cabriolet today, and two Worblaufens. One of these is in Belgium and the other, which is on offer here, is in France. This was not Worblaufen's first creation on a Citroën base, as he had already built several Traction 11 CV cabriolets. However the 15CV cabriolet that he presented at the 1948 Geneva Motor Show had a very distinctive form. The whole rear section was different to the factory version, being more rounded and enveloping, and it had a spacious interior. The wings were specific, as were the doors that opened the 'right' way. At the time, this type of hand built body was very expensive, which explains the very limited production. This car arrived at the coachbuilder on 17 March 1949 and left two months later on 24 May 1949. According to the historian Olivier de Serres, a Citroën specialist, it would have been painted black with a red interior. It can be traced to Mr Greilsamer, one of the first collectors, and later to the renowned collection belonging to Michel Seydoux. In 1974, this wonderful cabriolet was restored, painted the blue it is today, with beige interior. In 1976, the current owner attended the first Retromobile, and was drawn to this car that was on display. The new carte grise was registered in his name on 27 April 1976, and the car still has the same registration number today, having been in the same owner's hands for over 40 years ! It displays the charm of an earlier restoration, with lightly tarnished paintwork. The interior has resisted the passage of time, with its special wooden dashboard in fair condition and seats that are not torn. The rear passenger compartment has a small wind-down window that allows the side to be opened up completely. The blue fabric hood is in good condition and can be erected without difficulty. Here is a very rare opportunity to acquire a genuine Traction 15/6 cabriolet that is one of just two surviving examples by this coachbuilder. With a powerful, smooth six-cylinder engine, it offers the attraction of a four-seater convertible and the exclusivity of a special coachbuilder. A package designed to tempt the citroënistes...
French title Carrosserie Worblaufen n°979 - Rare and genuine 15-Six cabriolet - Single owner for over 40 years - Special and exclusive body - Superb presentation - One of two Worblaufen cabriolets listed Citroën could not be accused of over-producing the Traction 15-Six, with just two examples officially listed by the factory. This vacuum provoked a reaction from two coachbuilders, who developed their own versions. Curiously both Langenthal and Worblaufen were from Switzerland, with the latter being much more prolific than the former, producing fifteen examples, two in 1948 and 13 in 1949, while Langenthal built just two. Of the total number built, there are records of only one surviving Langenthal 15 cabriolet today, and two Worblaufens. One of these is in Belgium and the other, which is on offer here, is in France. This was not Worblaufen's first creation on a Citroën base, as he had already built several Traction 11 CV cabriolets. However the 15CV cabriolet that he presented at the 1948 Geneva Motor Show had a very distinctive form. The whole rear section was different to the factory version, being more rounded and enveloping, and it had a spacious interior. The wings were specific, as were the doors that opened the 'right' way. At the time, this type of hand built body was very expensive, which explains the very limited production. This car arrived at the coachbuilder on 17 March 1949 and left two months later on 24 May 1949. According to the historian Olivier de Serres, a Citroën specialist, it would have been painted black with a red interior. It can be traced to Mr Greilsamer, one of the first collectors, and later to the renowned collection belonging to Michel Seydoux. In 1974, this wonderful cabriolet was restored, painted the blue it is today, with beige interior. In 1976, the current owner attended the first Retromobile, and was drawn to this car that was on display. The new carte grise was registered in his name on 27 April 1976, and the car still has the same registration number today, having been in the same owner's hands for over 40 years ! It displays the charm of an earlier restoration, with lightly tarnished paintwork. The interior has resisted the passage of time, with its special wooden dashboard in fair condition and seats that are not torn. The rear passenger compartment has a small wind-down window that allows the side to be opened up completely. The blue fabric hood is in good condition and can be erected without difficulty. Here is a very rare opportunity to acquire a genuine Traction 15/6 cabriolet that is one of just two surviving examples by this coachbuilder. With a powerful, smooth six-cylinder engine, it offers the attraction of a four-seater convertible and the exclusivity of a special coachbuilder. A package designed to tempt the citroënistes...