Highlights
- Original, seemingly complete and unrestored
- In good overall condition for its age, appearing very solid and quite straight
- Four-speed semi-automatic gearbox
- The car does start and the suspension raises itself
The Appeal
If we had a time machine, one of the first things we’d do with it is travel back to 6th October 1955 and attend the Paris Motor Show. So far as onlookers were concerned, a UFO had descended from outer space and landed on Citroën stand. What had actually happened, was the launch of the DS…
Innovating in just about every conceivable way, the DS set the standard for automobile styling, ride quality, brakes and handling. Ardently anti-conventional, it would remain in production until 1975 challenging everyone’s preconceived ideas around engineering a car. Here we have a compelling opportunity to restore an early example, dating from 1958.
This home market DS remains in remarkably good condition for its age and although now quite patinated, it seems to be complete and very original - a fantastic starting point. It looks a quite straight example too and really solid which is quite unusual. We can’t wait to see this DS grace the roads once more, so don’t miss this excellent opportunity to make it yours.
The History and Paperwork
- French home market example
- Original french paperwork present (carte grise)
- Original and unrestored
- Currently in dry storage
- We’re not aware of any paperwork provided with the car
- 49,029 kilometres indicated
The Interior
- Generally quite dusty and patinated from its period in dry storage
- Grey jersey upholstery in very good order overall
- Retains period correct floor mats in nice condition for their age
- All the instruments and switches look to be present
- Complete with its clock and ash trays
- Desirable early dashboard
- All the door cards present well with some slight discolouration
- Not much wear is evident to the controls or upholstery
- The headlining seems in good order so far as we could discern
This DS’ interior is in quite remarkable condition for its age. While much of it has a layer of dust and perhaps a little mould to the upholstery in places, all appears original and with little in the way of wear. A deep clean should bring it back to a very presentable standard and the fact everything has survived so well is certainly worth celebrating. These early DS in particular have amazing interiors, with a retro-futuristic dashboard and that famous single-spoke steering wheel. It even retains its highly stylised clock and the ashtrays don’t look to have ever been used. The upholstery does not sag or reveal any damage and even the carpeting is in good condition, in spite of its age.
The Exterior
- Lightly patinated white paintwork
- The bodywork i straight for its age, with few dents
- Period Equilux S.E.V. yellow headlamps
- Black glass fibre roof
- Appears impressively solid for its age
- Complete with all its trim
- Still sits on the correct Michelin tyres which are slightly perished
As space-age as the DS may have been in many ways, it was not impervious to the corrosion that plagues many cars of this vintage. Not so with this one though, which looks to be incredibly solid. Certainly, there’s a light smattering of surface rust under the front valance and to the underside, but we didn’t spot anything that looked too serious. Even the vulnerable door bottoms are in good shape, as are the wings, sills and jacking points.
The body is straight too, with just a few creases and dents under the front end and in a couple of other areas. The doors all fit really well, which can be hard to achieve on a DS and the panels align as they should. The glass seems in fine order, as do all the trims including the ‘washboards’ tail lamp ‘cones’ and the intricate front reflectors. The chrome is pitting in places, but this matches the patina of the paintwork.
The body is straight too, with just a few creases and dents under the front end and in a couple of other areas. The doors all fit really well, which can be hard to achieve on a DS and the panels align as they should. The glass seems in fine order, as do all the trims including the ‘washboards’ tail lamp ‘cones’ and the intricate front reflectors. The chrome is pitting in places, but this matches the patina of the paintwork.
The Mechanics
- 1.9-litre four-cylinder petrol engine
- Four-speed semi-automatic gearbox
- Front-wheel drive
- LHS Hydropneumatic suspension
- All presents well and looks complete under the bonnet
Having spent some time in dry storage, we’re unaware of this DS’ present mechanical condition. This car predates the switch to LHM and so the Hydropneumatic suspension uses the older LHS fluid in order to function. All looks to be in good order under the bonnet and is seemingly complete with no evidence of later modifications that we could see.
Summary
This charming early DS is really rather special. Seldom does such an original, unrestored example emerge, let alone one that appears in such solid order. If you’re looking for a patinated example of one of these iconic French classics, or else are seeking a solid basis for a restoration project, this is the car for you.
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