André Lefèbvre

Who was André Lefèbvre?

André Lefèbvre was a French automobile engineer.

André, René Lefèbvre was born in Louvres, France. He began his career as an aviation engineer working to Gabriel Voisin Company. He was also a racing driver and race car designer, and won the 1927 Rallye Monte Carlo.

He joined the auto-industry in 1931, working for Louis Renault. Renault was persuaded to recruit André by François Lehideux, himself a senior executive within the company.

However, André remained with Renault only till 1933, when he was hired by André Citroën for his automobile factory. After the death of Andre Citroën in 1935, he continued his work at Citroën, now led by the innovative entrepreneur Pierre-Jules Boulanger, who came to the company from Michelin.

Working with Citroën designers Flaminio Bertoni and Paul Mages, Lefèbvre created four of the most dramatic, boldly designed vehicles of 20th century:

Citroën Traction Avant – a favourite of gangsters, the French resistance and the 'Gestapo' – a large family sedan – it was built for 23 years

Citroën 2CV – known as "the duck" or "Tin Snail" – it was a small advanced utilitarian sedan – it was built for 42 years