Astonishingly rare example of a Fully-Automatic DS
One of only 2 Fully automatic RHD UK cars ordered new by French Embassy
Subject to a Concours standard restoration
Electronic Fuel Injection
Factory Air-Conditioning
Original correct radio
Full Connolly leather interior
Head restraints

In an essay about the Citroën DS Pallas, philosopher Roland Barthes argued that it looked as if it had “fallen from the sky.” As a result, when the DS was introduced at the 1955 Paris Salon, Citroën set the automotive world upon its ear just as it had done 21 years ago, reminiscent of the year the Traction Avant made its debut. The stunning styling for both vehicles can be attributed to Flamino Bertoni, who was also responsible for the Traction Avant. Apart from the unique design, the DS was a trip to the future in all aspects by the standards of its time. This was evident in the sheer amount of orders Citroën collected on the first day of its exhibition at Paris, collecting 749 orders of the DS Pallas.

By the end of the first day, the orders climbed over an astonishing 12,000 and closed with a totalling order amount of 80,000. In doing so, Citroën hit a record that stood for 60 years, eclipsed by the Tesla Model 3, after it had received a total of 180,000 orders on the first day. After the continually evolving DS series finished in production 20 years later, 2,786,000 had been built and sold worldwide. It is not without substance that the DS has found it’s place among other automotive icons such as the Ford Mustang and the Volkswagen Beetle.

This exceptional DS Pallas offered represents a pinnacle of the DS’s engineering and styling, most powerful engine and best-developed chassis. This is an exceptional European-specification model, with highly desirable features including a four speed semi-auto gearbox and a legendary hydro-pneumatic suspension- its success demonstrated by its survival for another four decades.

Built to top-of-the-range Pallas specification, the Pallas luxury equipment package gives the DS a subtle air of extra-refinement and distinction. Following from the 1965 luxury upgrade the DS includes special comfort features including better noise insulation, upgraded upholstery and optional leather and external trim embellishments. This stunning DS21 benefits from pretty much all available options from the time, including Air Conditioning, Electronic Fuel Injection and rarest of all, a fully-automatic gearbox.

We have sold countless DS’s throughout the years but we have never seen another fully-automatic car such as this one. It was one of believed to be 2 RHD, DS21 EFI Pallas cars ordered new by French diplomats in London. Both were fully-automatic and quite possibly one of only 2 RHD Pallas examples built in automatic, for the UK at least. These were specified new with bespoke second gears designed to travel with ease at walking pace. Years later when this car received a full, ground-up restoration, this second gear was reverted back to standard specification.

Despite having been restored around 20 years ago, the car presents to a truly unbelievable standard and looks as if it had just rolled out of the factory. The paintwork was finished to a stunning level in the iconic shade, Brun Scarabee. The interior, presented in beautiful Tabac leather was done to the same standards and is just as beautiful as the exterior. The car runs and drives beautifully, the ultra-rare automatic transmission shifts smoothly and all in all, its one of the best in the country, possibly in the world. Not to mention the rarity of a RHD car and the added benefit of the Borg Warner, Automatic gearbox, we challenge you to find another of this high and rare a specification.

Now available for viewing at the DD Classics Dealership in London, please call 0208 878 33 55 to book an appointment.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above information but errors may occur. Please check with a salesperson.