Lane Motor Museum Shows a Gazogene Traction at Concours d’Elegance of America
Those attending the Concours d’Elegance of America at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, MI on July 28 got to see an interesting Citroën. The Lane Motor Museum in Nashville brought their coal-burning 1938 Traction Avant 11 Berline to display in the “Alternative Power Sources” section, along with steam, turbine and electric vehicles.
During the German occupation of France in World War II, gasoline was scarce, expensive, and often unavailable. Several companies offered systems for a vehicle to be powered by alternative fuels such as wood, coal, or charcoal.
This car has been converted by Fap Elgazo Tarbes to run on coal. Adaptions were necessary to alter the vehicle from gas power to be a coal burner. The two large cylindrical containers under the front fenders are filled with coal and ignited. In about 30 minutes, enough methane gas would rise out the tops of the containers to feed the special carburetor, making the car run.
Using the coal system reduced horsepower by one-third which reduced the top speed to about 45 mph (depending on how well the coal was burning).
Specifications
- Manufacturer: S.A. Andrè Citroën
- Country of Origin: France
- Engine: 1900cc, 4 cylinder
- Top Speed: 65 miles per hour (on gasoline)
- Years of Production (for the gazogene conversion): World War II
- Number Produced: 200