Highlights

Only surviving example of the 6 DS models engaged by the Citroën racing service
Authentic DS 21 prepared for the 1970 London-Mexico rally
Legendarily driven by Bob Neyret and Jacques Terramorsi before an engine failure in La Paz
Restored by enthusiasts in 2017 with intention to take the car over the finish line
Finished the rally with official recognition in 2018
Remarkably low mileage of just 32,111 kilometres

The Appeal

Back in 1970, a Rally was as much about reliability as it was about performance. They were equally feared as they were exalted, and none stood out as more of a challenge than the Daily Mirror World Cups. Organised by Wylton Dickson and Paddy Hopkirk, these rallies would begin in London - usually at Wembley - and end in the FIFA World Cup host city. For 1970, the destination was Mexico City - a 16,000-mile (25,700 km) trek over 23 stages.

The event was a huge success - 96 crews entered, many supported by car manufacturers. Citroën weren't quite as enthusiastic as, say, Morris and Triumph, but did provide a level of support and investment to the seven DS21s that entered. After all, with their impressive suspension, smooth floorplan and excellent road holding, they made an utterly superb rally car.

This one, No.12, was entered into the rally, driven by Bob Neyret & Jacques Terramorsi, and was proving itself impeccably. By the time they reached Bolivia, they were at an incredible 6th place, and looked like hopefuls for maintaining it all the way to Mexico. Sadly, at La Paz, disaster struck, and the car suffered an engine failure.

In order to ensure reliability, most World Cup contestants were kept mechanically standard - so Citroën ultimately decided they had no real reason to repatriate the car back to its native France. As a result, it was left languishing in Bolivia - having been purchased by the son of Bolivia's main Citroën importer.

The car was rediscovered by sheer miracle in 2005 by a European enthusiast - and was finally repatriated in 2017, after which the then-owner embarked on a restoration. As a poetic bookend to this remarkable vehicle's career, this owner and his friends finally took the car over the finish line - entering the final stage of the 1970 event, the Estadio Azteca, in 2018. As a result, it completed a remarkable 48-year-journey: A true once-in-a-lifetime story. The event was so significant that it received an official welcome.

Put simply, this is an utterly remarkable opportunity - a fully accredited, storied and remarkably complete rally car that, by hook or by crook, managed to finish its circuit. With a remarkably low mileage of just 32,111km, the car is resplendent in its rally livery, with reconditioned mechanics and a fascinating history file.

You won't come across another opportunity like this one - and for our money it might well be one of the coolest cars to ever hit Car & Classic. Don't let it slip you by!

History and Documents

Registered in 1970
Prepared by the Citroën racing service for the London-Mexico World Cup Rally
The car left London on the circuit on April the 19th, 1970
Sadly the car failed in Bolivia and was abandoned
By luck, Bob and Jacques were welcomed by the Midol family, Citroën importers in Bolivia
This family purchased the failed DS21 and kept it, albeit in a state of disrepair
The car was discovered in Summer 2005 by enthusiast, André Midol
He negotiated the car's purchase and restored it with a friend, Jacky Chevillon
The car then recommenced its journey in 2017
The crew received a certificate of passage from the President of the Touring Club of Peru
The car was stored in Bogota Colombia for the winter
Finally, the ‘big finish’ event was organised for early April at the Aztec Stadium
On Easter morning March 2018 in Puebla Mexico, 150 km from the finish, The Citroën Club of Mexico organised a procession of 6 DS's - a symbolic completion for every one of the model that entered the rally
On April 3rd, 2018, the car finally ended its journey at the Aztec Stadium - bookending 48 years of history
The car is now Registered in France with a grey Carte Grise
The serial numbers are reported to match
In 2019, the car won the cup for the ‘sportiest car’ at the Citroën Centenary in La Ferté-Vidame
It was also presented on the Aventure Peugeot Citroën and DS stand at the 2020 Classic Days in Magny-Cours
The car was later welcomed at the Gaydon National Museum on 1 May 2022 for the 50+2 years of the 1970 World Cup Rally

It now comes to us with :

A commemorative issue of Citroscope Magazine
Original minutes negotiating the car's sale
Pasaporte de Participants from 1970
Further Bolivian correspondence
1970 Transit Delivery Order

The Condition

Bodywork has been restored and completely repainted in 2017
It looks in fine order with some light signs of use
The car is complete with rally stickers and decals
We note the light cages and rally lamps
Everything looks solid and nicely presented
Underside shows only light signs of corrosion
Internally, the car is very nicely kept
Seats are free of any rips or tears
Floors appear solid and clean
Dashboard is well-presented with light, age-commensurate patina
Rear bench seat is missing - this was removed for the installation of an additional fuel tank - this tank is no longer present
Boot is clean and well-kept

To go over the aesthetics of any DS is an errand that can last a century. The complexities and attractive curves of the car's atomic-age styling are its ultimate selling point - the vehicle looked futuristic out of the factory back in 1955, and is still a remarkable looker today.

This particular car was restored from an abandoned state in 2017 - and the result is fabulous. It's back in its racing blue livery, peppered with stickers and decals, with period-accurate equipment installed. It's a solid, clean, and well-kept example that's loaded with character, and even if the car wasn't such a storied rally example, it would be an utterly beautiful vehicle worthy of attention.

The Mechanics

2175cc four-cylinder powerplant
Manual transmission with 4 gears
The car was entered as a mechanically standard vehicle
Reconditioned and restored in 2017
The car is in fine working order and shows no sign of mechanical issue

Rallies such as these demanded mechanically standard vehicles, except for extra fuel tanks, sump guards and the like to increase range and reliability. As a result, the DS21 here today is mechanically standard and still operating like a factory-standard car. This will no doubt be of relief to any budding owner, as parts are plentiful and there'll be very little surprise underneath the bonnet.

The restoration is still clearly on display - the car is running well with no faults or failures reported to us by the vendor. From what we can tell, this superb example is ready and waiting to be driven - though whether you hope to drive it or keep it as a static piece is up to personal taste!

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to Car & Classic's terms and conditions. By bidding and/or making a bid, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller, which means that consumer rights arising from European consumer protection legislation do not apply. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic's terms and conditions.

✓ We ask that a non-refundable fee is paid if you are the lucky winner of the auction or if your bid is accepted. Please refer to our FAQs and terms and conditions for specific fees.

✓ This vehicle is "sold as is", on an "as is, where is" basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and it is customary to carry out a full vehicle inspection prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final offer or tender price, as specified in the advert.

✓ We want the transaction to go as smoothly as you do, which is why UK-registered cars and motorbikes offered for sale on Car & Classic are HPI checked to ensure they have no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and are not financially pledged, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are registered as written off as part of a total loss at the time the advert is placed on Car & Classic and provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) to help you. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the status of the vehicle and it is always worth carrying out a full vehicle history check before making an offer on it.

✓ Buyers are responsible for the collection or delivery of the vehicle. Importing vehicles may incur additional customs duties and import taxes. If you wish, we can recommend a third party transport company who can assist you. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected].