Highlights

Rare Rhodesian-assembled example built by Willowvale Motors
Plus Power conversion with re-profiled camshaft and DS23 carburettor
Sympathetically restored and re-trimmed in red leather
Underside reported free from rust and oil leaks
Carefully maintained over a long ownership period

The Appeal

The Citroën DS was a masterpiece for the innovative French marque - one of the most technically advanced and visually striking cars of the 20th century, with remarkable tech for the period and picture-perfect atomic styling. This 1972 DS21 is a particularly distinctive example. Assembled in Rhodesia by Willowvale Motors from knock-down kits - a practice encouraged by government tax incentives to promote local industry - it can be distinguished from European-built cars by its twin Lucas rear tail lights and factory-fitted SuperSonic radio with metal whip aerial and three speakers.

What further elevates this DS21 is its Plus Power specification, a conversion originally conceived by Rhodesian Citroën dealers and carried out by Huddleston Motors, a Citroën dealer in Johannesburg and Durban. The work involved fitting a re-profiled camshaft with higher lift and a carburettor sourced from the DS23, with a larger 24/27 venturi in place of the standard DS21's 23/27 unit. The result, according to the vendor, is noticeably improved performance, a smoother idle, and a subtly different induction note compared to a standard DS21.

This example has benefitted from a sympathetic restoration, including a re-trim in red leather, and the vendor reports the underside is free from both rust and oil leaks. The vendor tells us that it's a delight to drive with everything inside working as it should. Having been carefully maintained over a long ownership period, this is a usable and characterful DS21 with a very desirable spec. Not one to miss!

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Key Information

Mileage: 34.464km
Country of registration: South Africa
Technical inspection status: not provided
Technical specs: 2.1-litre four-cylinder petrol with Plus Power conversion (re-profiled camshaft, DS23 carburettor), 5-speed manual
Paperwork: not specified

The Detail

Beau véhicule dans une livrée élégante
La peinture est en très bon état
La carrosserie est propre et droite
Les chromes contrastent joliment
Le dessous est apparemment sain et solide
Intérieur joliment présenté avec de bons appuis complets
Les instruments sont propres et lisibles
Le vendeur précise que tout fonctionne comme il faut à l’intérieur
Équipé de feux arrière doubles Lucas, une fonction spécifique aux exemplaires assemblés au Rhodesia
Radiocassette SuperSonic avec antenne métallique et trois haut-parleurs (deux avant, un arrière)
La conversion Plus Power comprend un arbre à cames reprofilé avec levée plus élevée et un carburateur DS23 28/36 avec venturi 24/27
Le vendeur indique que le ralenti est plus homogène qu’un DS21 standard avec un léger changement du bruit d’admission
La suspension hydropneumatique fonctionne apparemment correctement
Boîte de vitesses à cinq rapports installée

BEFORE YOU BUY

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