Here’s Your Big Chance To See Traction In Action

 

When it comes to classic cars, they say you’ve either got it or you Avant. It’s definitely the former in the case of the Citroën Traction Avant.

And this stately masterpiece will be among the big hitters next month at a rally celebrating a landmark anniversary of the Traction Owners’ Club (TOC).

The delightfully named East Sussex village of Peasmarsh outside Rye is the setting for the show - as it was for the first one - on June 17-19.

The summer of heat and Traction

Were you around in 1976 - and if so what were you doing?

It was the year of the great heatwave, with the rain so scarce that a Minister for Drought, Denis Howell, was appointed.

The year saw two Labour prime ministers in Harold Wilson and Jim Callaghan and the Sex Pistols and punk rock caused controversy in the pop charts.

The last Hillman Imp rolled off the production line and Ford launched a hatchback that is still dominating the UK sales charts today… the Fiesta.

But for many Traction owners the year only means one thing: the formation of the TOC, which next month celebrates its 40th birthday

Satis-Traction guaranteed
For the uninitiated, Traction in this instance refers to water-cooled, rear-wheeled Citroëns built before 1957.

For those already consumed by these distinctive models, the long weekend offers a chance to see them at their grandest.

So what’s happening at this year’s event?

• Friday: a barbecue is being staged at Flackley Ash, the hotel where members are staying
• Saturday: Tractions will explore rural Kent in its finest summer colours. Brenzett Aeronautical Museum, Rye, Romney March’s ancient churches and Tenterden steam trains are all on the itinerary
• Sunday: Tractions are gathering at the glorious Sissinghurst Gardens in the morning before embarking on a six-mile rally to Rolvenden village’s Hole Park

About TOC

It launched with the aim of expanding interest in Tractions and to foster and promote “fellowship” and knowledge between their owners during social events.

The organisation today boasts in excess of 650, primarily from Britain and has an excellent spares shop from which members can acquire most parts.