1971 Citroen D Super 5-Speed

Highlights

• Former French barn find stored for 26 years
• Incredibly low 29,000KM with documented history 
• Original Paint and Interior
• Family owned from new until current owner purchased it
• One UK owner since import in 2003 

THE APPEAL 

Nothing quite says French style more than the iconic Citroen DS. It is quite possibly one of the most timeless of all automotive designs. Today its seductive aerodynamic curves have a spaceship like quality.

One can only imagine how incredible it looked when it was first unveiled in 1955. Awe inspiring and sensational spring to mind. Which brings us to this stunning 1971 Citroen D Super, which could very well be one of the finest examples on sale in the UK.

With just 29,000km (18,000 miles) from new and previously owned by the same family from new, this highly original and iconic car represents a seldom repeated opportunity.

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THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK 

• V5C in owners name
• Original Citroen Handbook Pack plus stamped Service Book
• Original dealership order form, invoice and letter from Citroen dealer 
• Original MOT Certificates and Tax Discs 
• Family owned from new - effectively, a two owner car!

The story of this 1971 Citroen D Super is a fascinating one. It was delivered to its first owner, a Monsieur Jean Basset on the 27th September 1971. According to the original order form for the car, Monsieur Basset was an Engineer from Saint-Ideuc, a neighbourhood of Saint-Malo on the north west coast of France. According to the current owner, Monsieur Basset used the Citroen for approximately 6 years before suddenly passing away. It is believed his wife refused to sell the car and it remained in storage for approximately 26 years. Stamps in the service book suggest it was used briefly in 1989. 

The current owner and his wife heard about the Citroen whilst holidaying in the area in 2002. They fell in love with the car and agreed to purchase it from the Grandson of Monsieur Basset. The Citroen D Super was then imported to the UK in April 2003. 

The Citroen’s history file is impressive with paperwork going right back to 1971, which demonstrates that its first owner clearly cherished and looked after his car.

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THE INTERIOR 

• Original Gold interior in virtually unmarked condition 
• Original jack and spare wheel 

When it came to interior colour schemes, Citroen could always be relied on to choose bright and bold colours. The seats of this D Super are trimmed in Gold cloth, which when contrasted against the light coloured paint really makes it pop. This is retro Gold at its best! 
The condition of the interior really is impressive with hardly any wear evident. The seats, which the owner says are all original, are extremely comfortable, as you’d expect for a Citroen of this era. 

The owner states that all the instruments work as they should and the only change they made was the addition of a period correct rear sun blind. 
There are a few marks here and there on the headliner and the rear side trim panels, however a careful detail could take care of these. 

The owner adds that the drivers door doesn’t open from the inside after a minor repair to the window channels. The drivers door opens normally from the outside however.

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THE EXTERIOR 

This 1971 Citroen D Super is finished in Beige Albatross, which to you and me is basically white. The owner states that the car has mostly original paint, with the exception of the bonnet which he had resprayed last year. 

The condition of the paintwork is impressive given that the Citroen sat in storage for such a long time. It is by no means perfect, there are some marks and very small areas of surface rust present. And there is a scuff to the left rear wheel spat, which occurred when moving the car from storage. However these details do not detract from the Citroens appearance.

It wears its age very well indeed and while the term patina does get overused at lot, in this instance the patina is pleasingly genuine.

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THE MECHANICS 

• 1985cc engine
• 5 Speed Manual Gearbox 
• Power steering
• Directional Headlights
• Heated rear windscreen 

Powered by Citroen’s venerable 2.0 litre four cylinder engine, the owner states that the car starts and drives well. It manoeuvred without issue for the photoshoot and the hydro suspension rose as it should on startup and gradually settled. 

Since arriving in the UK the D Super has been maintained by Citroen Specialists, most recently by Simon Bowles, who carried out extensive recommissioning of the car in March last year at 28,237km. The list of works carried out is extensive and cost over £5,000. Details of the work is evidenced by an invoice in the history file. 

The owner notes that the front tyres are new and the rears are original to the car. The spare wheel is also unused.

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SUMMARY 

One could only imagine the excitement of finding a sleeping beauty like this Citroen D Super slumbering in a garage in France back in 2002. It must have been a real goosebump moment. Genuine “barn finds” are few and far between and this remarkable 1971 Citroen D Super is a wonderful time warp example.

Its preservation is a credit to its French owner and his family and to its current owner, who like Monsieur Basset has clearly cherished this car. Finding another Citroen D Super in this condition with such low miles, ownership and history will be very hard to replicate.

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Vehicle specification
  • Year 1971
  • Make Citroen
  • Model D Super 5-Speed
  • Colour White
  • Odometer 28,931 Kilometres
  • Engine size 1985
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Location Kent
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
33 bids
  • St•••• £26,750 19/08/22
  • st•••• £26,500 19/08/22
  • ma•••• £26,250 19/08/22
  • ia•••• £26,000 19/08/22
  • ma•••• £25,999 19/08/22
  • ma•••• £25,750 19/08/22
  • ia•••• £25,500 19/08/22
  • ma•••• £25,250 19/08/22
  • ia•••• £25,000 19/08/22
  • ia•••• £24,750 19/08/22
Message C&C Auction Team

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