Mais Pourquoi? — Traction Avant Restorod
From the ‘You have to admire the workmanship but…’ Dept:
This donor car — a 1955 Traction Avant Normale, seemed like a decent candidate to restore.
Instead of going that route, hot rod mentality prevailed and we have the following result.
The car’s builder, Michael Guiver, merged the engine, drive-train, and dashboard/console from a 1991 Toyota Supra Turbo, then added some VW Beetle running lights and massive Köng rims with 245/45ZR17 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires to the creation.
On top of that, the owner didn’t like the “bulge” back end of 1955 Traction and wanted the “pre war” flush trunk lid, so a 5th spare could be mounted externally. The back end was cut away and and earlier end grafted on.
At least the chevrons were removed from the grill but an arguably offensive “flattened frog” emblem took their place.
The car was listed on Hemmings auction website with non-operational air-conditioning and sold on November 4, 2024 (with just 10 bids) for $25,515 US inclusive of buyer’s fees. Considering the over 4,000 hours that reportedly went into the build and the amazing quality of workmanship in all aspects of the transformation, the purchase price was a bargain!
Features included:
- The Supra’s engine was rebuilt to 375 horsepower (up from 230 hp stock).
- The Supra’s five-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive were used.
- Also the Supra’s four-wheel independent suspension and speed-sensitive variable steering.
- Cruise control from the Supra.
- The Supra’s antilock four-wheel disc brakes add modern safety.
- Steel-tube reinforcements help prevent torque flex.
- The builder used lead for body seams and says there is no plastic body filler.
- Headlamps are Marchal, and taillights came from a 1960s Volkswagen Beetle.
- The body has three-stage chameleon purple paint.
- Kip Kuiper Interiors in Cave Creek, Arizona, did the custom leather cabin work and fitted Wilton wool carpeting.
- Dual airbags, and front power windows.
- Windshield wipers with the functioning intermittent setting.
- An Alpine head unit, satellite radio, iPod control, and a multi-disc CD player and a custom surround-sound speaker system
Some of the comments were not very flattering;
TomB:
What a BEAIT!!!
Barbara1942:
Man, that is one beautiful ugly SOB!
We wonder what motivated the owner to build such a car in the first place? How long did it take and how much engineering was behind just installing flush door handles?
If the Traction bodies were rescued from rotting in a field somewhere, Traction aficionados might have been more appreciative of the restorod treatment. As it is — it’s certainly controversial and a matter of personal taste.