Citroën Type A

Citroën Type A 10CV
Overview
Manufacturer	Citroën
Production	1919-1921 24,093 made
Body and chassis
Body style	Torpedo
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.3 L Straight-4
Transmission	3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2.83 metres (111.4 in) (long), 2.55 metres (100.4 in) (short)
Length	4.00 metres (157.5 in) (long), 3.40 metres (133.9 in) (short)
Width	1.41 metres (55.5 in)
Curb weight	810 kg (1,790 lb) (long) 680 kg (1,500 lb) (short)
Chronology
Predecessor	none
Successor	Citroën Type B

The Citroën Type A was the first car produced by Citroën from June 1919 to December 1921 in Paris. The Type A reached a production number of 24,093 vehicles.

During World War I, André Citroën was producing munitions. As early as 1917, Citroën investigated the development of a light car of the medium range under the direction of Jules Salomon.

Under the designation 10 HP Type A the car had a water-cooled 1327 cc four-cylinder engine and an output of 18 hp (13 kW). Its maximum speed was 65 km/h (40 mph). The chassis had inverted quarter ellipic springs at the front and double quarter elliptics at the rear. Braking was on the rear wheels only controlled by a hand lever with a foot pedal operated transmission brake.

The chassis was made in two lengths and carried a variety of coachwork. The long chassis was available as Torpedo (four-seat tourer), Torpedo Sport, Conduite Intérieure, Coupe de Ville and light truck and the short chassis with Torpedo (3-seat), Conduite Intérieure, Coupe de Ville and camionnette (van).

In its first year of production, the standard Type A cost 7,950 francs. One year later the selling price had been raised to 12,500 francs.

With a production rate of 100 vehicles a day, Citroën became the first mass production manufacturer in Europe.

Further reading

André Citroën -The man and the motor car. John Reynoolds. Sutton Publishing, Gloucestershire, UK. 1996. ISBN 0-905778-32-4