Citroën Type A
| Company type | Automobile model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | June 1919 |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Automobiles |
| Parent | Citroën |
The Citroën Type A represents Citroën's inaugural automobile, manufactured in Paris between June 1919 and December 1921, with a total production volume of 24,093 units.
Origins
Amidst World War I, André Citroën transitioned from producing munitions to pioneering automotive design. In 1917, under the guidance of Jules Salomon, he began developing a light vehicle aimed at the medium market segment.
The car
Known as the 10 HP Type A, this model was equipped with a water-cooled four-cylinder engine of 1327 cc capacity, delivering power sufficient to reach a maximum speed of 65 km/h (40 mph). Its suspension system featured inverted quarter elliptic springs at the front and double quarter elliptics at the rear. Braking was applied to the rear wheels through a hand lever, complemented by a foot-operated transmission brake.
Two chassis lengths were available: the longer wheelbase accommodated various body styles such as Torpedo (four-seat touring), Torpedo Sport, Conduite Intérieure (sedan), Coupé de ville, and light truck configurations. The shorter chassis supported models including Torpedo (three-seat), Conduite Intérieure, Coupé de Ville, and camionette (van). To streamline production and reduce expenses, the short wheelbase variant was phased out by early 1920.
The vehicle's final drive incorporated a bevel gear characterized by distinctive herringbone teeth patterns, which later inspired Citroën's emblematic double chevron logo.
Commercial
Initially priced at 7,950 francs in its debut year, the standard Type A saw its cost rise to 12,500 francs in the subsequent year.
Although sales were modest in 1919, production accelerated significantly in 1920 with over 20,000 units manufactured. Reaching a daily output of 100 cars, Citroën established itself as Europe's pioneer in mass automobile production.
Classification within French tax and insurance frameworks
The Type A carried a fiscal horsepower rating of 10 CV and was marketed under the designation "10 HP," adopting the English terminology prevalent at that time.
Further reading
- André Citroën - The man and the motor car. John Reynoolds. Sutton Publishing, Gloucestershire, UK. 1996.
Citroën 10 HP Type A - Citroën Origins