Highlights

• One of the first cars produced at the Citroën Slough factory in 1926
• Comprehensive ground-up restoration by Citroën expert Maurice Bailey in 1982
• Excellent condition with a highly evocative period colour scheme
• True-to-factory spec
• Featured in books and magazines, including "From A to X: 75 years of Citroëns in the UK"
• Entered in numerous rallies and parades, including the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin

The Appeal

When it hit the market at the Parisian Motor Show of 1926, the B14 was perhaps the first time that Citroën began properly flexing its lifelong reputation for innovation. This was a significant advancement compared to the car's predecessor, answering many common criticisms while providing an improved engine, improved gearbox, drum brakes lightened chassis and enhanced suspension. Aesthetically similar it may have been, but this was an entirely different car underneath its pretty body panels.

In the process, André Citroën offered one of the most competitive, high-performance cars on the burgeoning market, and effectively set up the company's future. In that sense, this is arguably one of the most significant cars of the '20s.

This particular 1926 Citroën 12/24 Open Tourer is a rare right-hand drive example, one of the first to roll out of the newly established Citroën factory in Slough. The designation 12/24 indicates the tax horsepower rating (12) and the actual SAE horsepower (24).

This particular 12/24 Tourer (with its original registration YR 7697), is shown photographed in its fully-restored condition in the book From A to X: 75 years of Citroëns in the UK and also in Eighty Years of Citroën, both books by author John Reynolds. The car was also reviewed by Citroën specialist Malcolm Bobbitt in the April 1994 issue of the Citroën owners’ magazine, Floating Power. Since 2012, the car has entered numerous rallies in Ireland, including the IVVCC Gordon Bennett Rally. In the 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the current owner drove Grand Marshal, John Giles, through Dublin on the current plate, ZV 10068.

Put simply, this is an excellent, storied and surprisingly capable vintage car - and well deserving of your attention.

History and Paperwork

• Built by the then-new Citroën factory in Slough, 1926
• First registered in London with original registration YR 7697, now ZV 10068
• Purchased by Citroën restorer Maurice Bailey in 1982 for a full restoration
• Acquired by the current owner in January 2012 from Pat Keenan, Abbeyshrule, County Longford
• NCT (MOT) exempt in Ireland, with older UK MOT certificates on file
• Featured in books "From A to X: 75 years of Citroëns in the UK" and "Eighty Years of Citroën"
• Reviewed in the April 1994 issue of "Floating Power" magazine
• Since 2012, the car has entered numerous rallies in Ireland
• Drove Grand Marshal John Giles through Dublin on the current plate, ZV 10068, in 2012's St Patrick's Day Parade
• Indicates 09,097 miles on a five-figure odometer 
• Always kept in dry storage 

The Condition

• High-quality paintwork carried out following restoration in 1982, still in good order
• Some minor scuffing behind the spare wheel
• Very gentle chips on panel shuts
• Light cracking around the bonnet hinge
• Gentle patina on the chrome bracket fittings
• Fully-foldable rear passenger protective windscreen and tonneau cover (optional extras in 1926)
• Easy-erecting leather hood and side curtains appear in smart condition
• Underside excellent and includes stainless steel exhaust
• Internally, the car's cabin is very handsome
• Very small match burn mark on driver seat, but no sign of any rips or tears
• Doors and carpets appear in smart condition
• All instruments are clear and legible
• Control knob for reserve petrol stuck
• As a result an emergency jerry can is kept inside the car's picnic basket
• Recently, the car has seen:
  • Upgraded running boards
  • Fitting of driving mirrors
  • Installation of bulb horn

The Mechanics

• 1,583cc four cylinder powerplant, with an evocative André Citroën cover
• Manual transmission with 3-speed gearbox
• Engine bay in excellent condition
• Original Westinghouse servo brake system appears in smart condition
• Modern ignition on/off switch and battery isolator fitted
• 12-volt electrics with electric starting and magneto ignition
• We understand the car to be in fine mechanical order
• The vendor notes that it's very easy to drive
• They also note there are no problems with double declutching 
• The vendor highlights that the steering might do with some firming up, but doesn't affect driving and manoeuvring
• Happily keeps up with urban traffic
• Ultimately, this looks to be a superb car from top to bottom, ready and waiting to charm