• All-time classic Citroën in stunning restored order
• Has original clock face ashtray and vanity mirror
• Original interior trim
• Engine, hydraulics and running gear all overhauled by leading DS specialist
The Background
On the very day that it made its debut at the Paris Motor Show, the Citroën DS became the subject of a waiting list.
Over 12,000 orders were placed for the car on the opening day – October 5, 1955 - at the Grand Palais des Expositions, Paris. By the time the show closed a fortnight later, Citroën had orders for over 79,000 DSs on its books, such was the sensation that this new, weird and truly wonderful car had become.
DS (pronounced Déesse) was French for ‘goddess’ – a name that could not be more fitting for such a strikingly beautiful design. The DS was part car, part work of art. And it was also a demonstration of engineering genius, defying convention in every way possible.
Most of its systems were controlled by a hydraulic ‘brain’ (think of it as a mechanical ECU, if you will) that operated everything from its infamous hydraulic suspension to its brakes, power steering and assisted gear selection. For a car launched just a decade after the end of World War Two, it was an incredibly advanced piece of engineering.
The DS also ushered in a new era of aerodynamics – with aircraft-inspired surfacing giving it a wind-cheating appearance that was as practical as it was beautiful.
Under the bonnet, things were more conventional, with power supplied by the OHV engine from the outgoing Traction Avant. It was the one thing that wasn’t all-new, but only because a lack of development funds never allowed Citroën’s engineers to develop the air-cooled flat six originally planned for the car.
This example is a 1958 model, imported to the UK a dozen years ago. It has been with its current owner for over a decade and has been restored to a near-concours standard with some amazing original features.
This is originally a French market car, supplied new to an owner near Toulouse in 1958. It was only used for a short while before it was parked up in a garage and left for over 30 years, the reasons why unknown. It was discovered in the 1990s and was bought by a Dutch car museum to use as an exhibit.
The museum staff stripped it and etch-primed all the exterior panels. Due to its garage storage and life in the dry southern French climate, there was no rust and the underside was even left with its protective factory underseal.
It was never completed, though, and in the late 2000s it was acquired by the present owner. He carried out a full mechanical refurbishment, respray and build-up with the assistance of Carl Hopkins Services in Gt Dunmow, Essex, and he has cherished the car now for over a decade.
It is also a TV star – most recently, it was used as a French diplomatic car in the BBC Drama series The Crown.
It’s for sale because its Anglo-French owner is currently restoring a property in France and is reducing his UK car collection in readiness for an eventual move.
Aside from the V5 and some photographs of the rebuild, the paperwork relating to the car’s restoration and prior history has been mislaid.
The vendor reports that it went missing at a car show a couple of years ago, that if anyone were to contact Carl Hopkins Services they should be able to track down a full record of the work carried out and the vast expense that went with it.
One of the things that you don’t realise about the DS until you’re up close and personal with one is the car’s sheer size. It’s 189-inches (or 4.8 metres) long and also much wider at the front than it is at the back.
The bulk is hidden by the remarkable Flaminio Bertoni styling, which uses tapered curved and rounded surfaces to take away the bulkier edges of the car – a design trick that is used in modern car design more than ever as cars are forced to get bigger and bigger.
This car is absolutely stunning – something that’s apparent as soon as you clap eyes on it. It truly stands out, not just because it’s a DS but also because it’s an old car in truly, truly wonderful order.
It has a couple of very minor blemishes, but nothing of any importance, while the black paint is in superb order with a deep shine and very good finish. The fibreglass silver roof is also excellent, while all of the panels were realigned during the car’s restoration. Overall, it’s in pretty much concours order.
Underneath, it has never been welded and still wears its factory underseal.
All of the chrome is in good order and was stripped and polished during the car’s rebuild, while the glass is excellent with new rubber seals all round. It has been fitted with a later glass rear window, but the original Perspex back screen is included with the car should the next keeper want to put it back to 100% original specification.
There’s nothing like French interior design – and its juxtaposition to exterior design is just as relevant in cars as it is in architecture. If you think the silver over black exterior of the DS is quite restrained, then open the doors and you’ll find a cabin that is as extrovert as they come.
The trim name is actually Helanca Mordoré (Hellenic Auburn) and it's certainly quite striking. It’s also the original trim throughout. New carpets and headlining give the cabin a lift, but the real highlights are the special features that are so highly prized by DS aficionados.
The removable pop-out vanity mirror from the glovebox, which you could take with you to do your make up or wax your moustache, for example. Most of these invariably ended up in manbags or handbags, but this one is still there, tucked in its original holder.
Or how about the accessory louvred rear sunblind? Or the clock face ashtray – pop-out the clock in the dash and you have somewhere very tidy and discrete to dispose of your Gitanes Bleu.
It’s a wonderful ambience and in truly lovely order. You’d buy this car on its interior alone.
Given the DS’s history, the 59,000km on the clock is almost certainly genuine, which also explains why the interior is still so good.
It hasn’t prevented the car from being fully overhauled mechanically Carl Hopkins Services and DS workshop, which included a full engine rebuild and the transmission was treated to a full inspection and rebuild by DS Workshop including the hydraulic selectors.
The starter motor and dynamo were rebuilt and a new stainless steel exhaust system fitted, while the fuel tank was cleaned and sealed and the radiator re-cored.
Critically, the hydraulic system was also fully overhauled with new seals and pistons throughout, along with spheres and pumps where required. The wiring loom was also checked and new lamps fitted all-round. It wants for nothing and runs beautifully.
According to the vendor, the long-stroke engine pulls well and runs smoothly. The levelling suspension adjusts well and inspires confidence and the semi-auto gear shift is a delight with fingertip control.
This is a wonderful example of one of the most beautiful cars ever made. It’s a show car if ever there was one – a viable concours contender and a fabulous, pure and early car that represents the DS in its greatest, most original form.
Examples as early as this very rarely come to market, and when they do they’re highly unlikely to be anywhere near as good. This is a rare opportunity to buy a 20th century icon.
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