Citroën Type B10
The Citroën Type B10 was presented at the Paris Motor Show in 1924. It is an evolution of the B2 released in 1921 and that Citroën had to modify because the competition had reacted. And it is a real upheaval that Citroën is setting up since it takes advantage of this development to innovate once again.
Indeed, on the occasion of the Type B10, Citroën abandons construction on wooden frames to adopt the so-called "all steel" technique. This technique in which the profiles of the reinforcement formed by stamping receive by electrical welds the outer panels of the sheet. This allows for a lighter, more rigid body and, above all, more easily allowing automated or semi-automated assembly.
To launch this B10, Citroën must equip itself with major stamping and extremely expensive welding equipment in a period, moreover, very inflationary. As a result, Citroën, whose daily production is 300 cars, does not produce enough to ensure the amortization of these investments.
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An evolution that calls for others
The Citroën B10 therefore inaugurates the all-steel technique and suffers from structural problems resulting in a hasty adaptation of an all-steel body on a too inflexible chassis. And, paradoxically, it is not the chassis that poses the problem but the body which restricts it, resulting in ruptures at the fixing points requiring urgent reinforcement of the side members first by doubling them and then increasing their thicknesses and their heights. And after a long work, all the problems are in order and the B10 is a great success despite a sale price of 25,000 Francs or 2000 Francs, barely, higher than the price of the B2.
The B10 becomes B12 ...
In 1925, Citroën modified the B10 by transforming it into a B12 erasing, by the way, the main faults of the B10, namely the lack of front brakes. But the problems with the chassis mismatched to the body of the B10 had caused problems for customers and tarnished the image of the brand. To alleviate the concerns, the B12 replaces the B10 with a new chassis, this time designed from the outset for an all-steel body to fix the issues. This new chassis takes the mechanics of the initial B2, namely a 4-cylinder 20hp which has a lot to do with the heavier weight of the B12. This ends the single braking at the rear to adopt four-wheel braking. The B12 was produced in different limousine, carbiolet, landaulet or in Norman commercial version. The career of the B12 was short, like that of the B10, since a new evolution will appear, from October 1926, which will see the day of the B14.
… Which becomes the B14 The Citroën B14, which should have been called B13, replaces the B2 and B12 and brings several important advances. It still has an all-steel body, but it is now based on a more robust and lighter chassis which is suspended by semi-ellipical springs. The engine is also evolving to offer more flexibility thanks to an evolution of its displacement which is brought to 1359cm³. Citroën takes the opportunity to bring a technical innovation with the presence of a Citroën servo brake which acts on all four wheels.
The B14 will undergo two evolutions: - In March 1927, it brings a new more rigid chassis, a more reliable engine and becomes the B14.F. It will be the first Citroën to adopt nitrocellulose paint and will be produced up to 400 copies per day.
- In October 1927, the B14 evolves again to be called B14.G and whose main difference is a new body with a rounded roof and a new hood with air vents over its entire length. The total production will exceed 500 copies per day thanks to competitive prices.
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Characteristics :
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B10: Length: 3m68 or 4m
Width: 1m45
Weight: 810 kg
Max speed: 70 km / h
Power: 20 ch
Production: 17,259 copies
B12:
Length: 4m
Width: 1m45
Weight: 1100 kg
Max speed: 70 km / h
Power: 20/22 ch
Production: 38,381 copies
B14:
Length: 4m18
Width: 1m41
height: 1m80
Weight: 1100 kg
Power: 22hp
Max speed: 80 km / h
Production: 127,600 copies