Description
The Citroën DS 20 Pallas is part of the history of the legendary DS family, one of the most innovative and emblematic cars of the 20th century. The Citroën DS was first shown to the public at the Paris Motor Show in October 1955, and it immediately upended the codes of motoring thanks to its aerodynamically styled design by Flaminio Bertoni and to its major technical advances such as hydropneumatic suspension, power-assisted steering, the semi-automatic gearbox and front disc brakes, innovations that placed it far ahead of its contemporaries.
The Pallas trim was introduced in 1964 at the same Paris Auto Show as a high-end version of the DS, named in homage to the Greek goddess Pallas Athene. This version stood out for a level of comfort and finish never before seen on a mass-produced French car, with better sound insulation, cosier upholstery (available in leather), distinctive exterior trim, special wheel trims and a generally more refined presentation.
During the 1960s, the DS evolved technically and aesthetically. After several engine evolutions and mechanical improvements, it was at the end of the decade that the DS20 replaced the DS19. This model used a more powerful 2. 0‑litre engine (around 91 bhp DIN for the original versions) and paired perfectly with the luxury equipment of the Pallas spec.
The DS 20 Pallas thus became the prestige version of the top-end DS models produced between 1969 and 1975, offering motoring enthusiasts a unique blend of grand touring comfort, exceptional roadholding thanks to the hydropneumatic suspension, and an elegance unique to post-war French automotive refinement. It retained notable features such as directional headlights that followed the steering wheel's trajectory on certain versions, contributing to its technological aura and its safety.
Production of the DS ceased in 1975, after global success that saw around 1. 5 million units built across all versions. The DS 20 Pallas remains sought after by collectors today for its historical significance, refined equipment and its role as an icon of luxury and post-war automotive technology.
This 1974 example was fully restored between 2014 and 2016 by the previous owner. A photographic dossier and invoices demonstrate the level of restoration: everything was overhauled—mechanical, hydraulic, bodywork, interior.
