・Recent import from South Africa ・UK registered and all paperwork V5 in place ・5 Speed Column Change ・Hydro Pneumatic Suspension
THE BACKGROUND
The Citroën DS is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive executive car launched in 1955, stunning audiences at the 1955 Paris Auto Show. The car was so advanced it set a new benchmark for automotive design in the post-war, space-age era.
When the DS (Déesses) was introduced, it was claimed to be the most advanced car in the world. Not only was its styling futuristic, but its engineering and design seemed at least a decade ahead of its time even after 18 years of secret development as the successor to the Traction Avant.
The futuristic good looks came from designer Flaminio Bertoni and French aeronautical engineer André Lefèbvre who styled and engineered the car, understanding the importance of aerodynamics. The underside of the car was as smooth as possible too for aerodynamics which was a first for a production car.
Pre-orders at the Paris show topped 12,000 on the first day, rising to 80,000 by the end of the show, which caused a backlog of up to three years for customers to get their car. This was the most interest ever for a new motor, only surpassed by the recent Tesla 3 launch.
The hydro-pneumatic suspension, developed by Paul Magès was an amazing innovation on the DS using oil and air under pressure, powered by a 2200-psi pump. This system controlled not only the suspension needed for rough post war and cobbled French roads but also enabled power assisted steering, braking, clutch and the gearbox to function smoothly.
Radial tyres were used for better road holding too, supplied by Michelin who had a controlling interest in Citroën at the time. If you had a flat tyre on the rear, this could be easily changed (after taking the wing off) by pumping the suspension up.
French production ended in 1975 selling over 1.5 million cars. 1.3 million of those were left hand drives sold in France. The remaining right hand drive cars were shipped around the world to the UK, America and South Africa
During its 20-year production cycle a Citroën DS won the Monte Carlo rally and was voted third place for the Car of the Century in 1999 behind the ford Model T and Mini, which shows just how iconic this car really is.
This right-hand drive Citroën DS23 is fitted with the 2.3-litre carburettor engine and the manual gearbox. This effortless long-distance grand tourer wafts along the road on the revolutionary hydro pneumatic suspension. The bright red/white colour scheme and space age design is an instant talking point and wherever it goes it will be the centre of attention.
The car was imported to Northern Ireland from South Africa in late 2020 and the owner immediately set about registering it in the UK obtaining the V5 and all relevant paperwork.
South African assembly of the DS began in 1959 in a former school, but as this was one of the last to be made it probably rolled off the production line in Port Elizabeth although we can’t confirm this.
Most of the car parts arrived unassembled from France and then painted, trimmed and finished using the maximum possible amount of locally sourced componentry and contents making the South African cars that little bit special.
Altogether some 10,944 DS had been built by the time that South African assembly of Citroën finally stopped.
Bought directly from a well trusted car dealer in South Africa this car needed no work on arrival to the current owner as any issues were addressed prior to exporting. That included a full underside clean and underseal which we’re told is a requirement on officially imported cars for environmental reasons.
At present the car is stored in a clean, dry modern garage and runs regularly to keep everything operating smoothly.
Like a lot of classic car owners though, some space is needed for a new project.
Inside we see the well cared for tan coloured vinyl seating. This was only found in South African models as other French built cars went for fabric. The foam inside the seats is the same specification as French cars and is as spongy as the day it came off the production line.
The sofa-like chairs' perforated material shows a few signs of colour variation and a mark or two but has survived remarkably well in the hot sunshine. The clean door cards are solid vinyl and match the seats.
The headlining is a darker tan fabric which is similar to the carpet, bringing the whole interior together. The headliner shows no signs of sagging or wear. This contrasts well with the black dashboard and chrome, which has also survived the hot sun without any cracking we can see. The two well placed interior lights give the interior a warm Art Deco feel.
All dials appear to be working and other than a couple of missing trim pieces have held together well. The interior would benefit from a full valet and detailing to bring it to its former glory, which the next owner will no doubt get a lot of pleasure from.
This Citroën DS 23 must be one of the most eye-catching cars on the road as it seems to glow with the deep red and white colour scheme.
The car was resprayed in the original colours prior to being brought into the country. The finish is presentable with just a few runs we can see and could be improved and made even shinier with modern paint care processes. There is some bubbling in places with slight cracking on the driver’s door edge.
The brightwork is in clean condition and only shows a few signs of pitting on close inspection.
The 15-inch steel wheels are covered with huge original chrome hubcaps
Bolt on body parts appear to be in excellent condition and we are advised the all-important inner wings and panels show no signs of corrosion. The hydraulic arm holding the fibreglass boot lid appears to be the worst affected area that we can see which might require a bit of work, but it is still secure.
Underneath appears to be in solid condition helped by the salt free roads in South Africa. There does seem to be some areas where welding has been done. We couldn’t inspect the sills completely as they have a protective sheet covering them so although they look solid, further inspection would be needed along with engine mounts and other structural areas.
Under the clean boot carpet, there appears to have been some improvements made with welded panels. This can be seen better inside the car as the new underseal covers most of the panels underneath.
The rear tyres look newer and although there is plenty of tread on the front tyres, some cracking has occurred.
The odometer states 71,000 miles but with little history this can’t be confirmed but the owner does say everything runs well and the engine is dry with no leaks.
Some underseal painting is apparent under the bonnet along the chassis, and it is generally clean with the appearance of small improvements made to the electrical fittings
The brakes work well but we have been advised the handbrake might need some adjusting as it’s hard to get it fully locked.
We have also been told by the seller that the car starts, drives, and stops well with no signs of leaking in the hydraulic system.
The Citroën DS was the car of the future, and some people feel it still is. Even now the ground-breaking and innovative design and mechanicals feel modern and usable.
Information about the workings of the car is now easily available online and there is also a keen network of enthusiastic specialists in the UK and the continent able to handle trickier jobs, making this car a very attractive project, everyday driver, or showpiece.
Pretty much most components are available if any are needed, certainly for the later cars such as this with many parts being re-manufactured to support the many thousands of cars still on the road in Europe.
This right-hand drive, top of the range Pallas model with its hydro-pneumatic suspension and power steering will always have a place in the hearts of classic car owners.
It’s roomy, comfortable, and fast enough to keep up with modern traffic and who couldn’t resist indicators shaped like rockets on the rear roof edges.
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Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
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1975 Citroën DS 23 Pallas
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