Highlights

‘Ultimate’ DS with 141bhp 2.3L engine, 5spd manual box and Pallas trim
Two-year Noughties restoration in Verte Chartreuse overseen by French DS specialist
Engine rebuilt, body restoration and respray by French DS specialist and retrimmed in Italy
Desirable later ‘green fluid’ car with full hydraulic replacement
Acquired by current keeper in France with known history
Stored in a climate-controlled garage since approximately 2005
Serviced prior to sale and voluntary MOT valid to July 2027 with no advisories
Low total mileage of 143,500 km (89,166 miles)

The Appeal

Like a fine wine, André Citroën’s incredible DS simply got better as it got older. For the final three years of production, the firm introduced what is widely considered to be the ‘ultimate’ version - the D23ie. Equipped with fuel injection, it is the largest and most powerful DS.

This final-year DS23ie adds top Pallas trim to truly make it the ‘ultimate’ version. It features beautiful Verte Chartreuse (Silver Green) paintwork. It really is a magnificent version, thanks in large part to a high-end restoration overseen by DS specialists in Annemasse, France. That work was completed 18 years ago, but you would hardly know looking at the car. Since completion, we’re told that it has been used sparingly, serviced regularly and stored in a dry, climate-controlled garage.

The restoration work included full body renovation and repainting, undertaken by a reputable French DS specialist, and a cabin retrim to correct factory specification by an Italian trim shop. The engine was rebuilt, and the desirable ‘green fluid’ hydraulic system has been fully replaced.

The vendor acquired the car from a friend of a friend in 2013 and has split its time between his homes in France and the UK. It now carries UK registration. The car is said to run and drive very well and comes to market with a recent service and freshly renewed voluntary MOT. The test contains no advisories.

The vendor describes the engine as very tight, the hydraulics as highly responsive, and the suspension — riding on a full set of replaced spheres — as delivering the magic carpet ride for which the DS is renowned. With its elegant colour, handsome interior and strong mechanical condition, this DS23ie is a well-presented, top-specification example of one of the most important cars of the twentieth century.

The vendor says:

“This is a very sound, beautifully presented top spec DS (manual & IE best combo); excellent structure, lovely interior, elegant paint and a remarkably tight driving experience make it a highly usable classic.”

Key Information

Mileage: 143,500 km indicated (estimated; the odometer reads 43,500 km and is believed to have gone around the clock)
Country of origin: France (now registered on UK plates)
MOT status: voluntary test valid to 14th July 2027 with no advisories
Technical specs: 141bhp 2,347 cc four-cylinder fuel-injected petrol, five-speed manual
Paperwork: original French registration plates included; maintenance carried out by marque specialists

The vendor says:

“Bought in 2013, from a friend of a friend in the Haute Savoie dept. of France (original plates included). He bought it from the person who completely renovated the car in 2006 - 2008, at a DS specialist in Annemasse. This included engine stripdown/re-build, bodywork/re-spray (in CX Verte Chartreuse, AC 544), new leather interior by period-correct Italian upholsterer, Enzo at Atelier DS, and full hydraulic replacement. It has been stored in a climate-controlled garage since c2005. I have maintained it carefully, with a DS marque specialist in Burgundy, where I have kept it (I live there for half the year) and at Pallas Auto when in the UK, who also wax-oiled the whole car in 2018 - for which I have photos. It has just had a full service, MOT and fuel injection reset, so is driving very well. It passed the MOT with no advisories.”

The Detail

Renovation carried out at a DS specialist in Annemasse, France
Engine stripped down and rebuilt as part of the renovation
Bodywork restored and resprayed in CX Verte Chartreuse (AC 544)
Beautifully presented Verde Argente metallic with minor age to note in photos
Black vinyl roof in very good condition as shown
Exterior fitting including chromework and wheel trims in good general condition
Period-correct black leather interior in very good order with slight age to note
Minor blemishes include a small area of early cracking on the rear wings
Scratch on passenger-side front door
Slightly rippled paint on the passenger-side rear door
Interior fitted by Italian upholsterer Enzo at Atelier DS
All suspension spheres have been replaced
Full-length stainless steel exhaust fitted, reported to be in good condition
Entire car waxoyled by Pallas Auto in 2018, with photographic evidence available
Recently received a full service, MOT and fuel injection re-set
Vendor states the engine is very tight and pulls well in all gears with no bearing noise
We are told that the engine does not consume oil or water
Slight synchromesh hesitation from 5th to 4th is noted only under aggressive shifting
We are told the hydraulics are responsive, with quick rise and sink
Two front plates were welded during the 2006–2008 renovation
Vendor reports the underside is very clean with no structural advisories on MOT
Grey carpets generally good condition
Some colour fading to carpets along the front sill areas on both sides
Vendor states all instrument and warning lights are in good working order
We are told that the switchgear presents well
Modern Bluetooth stereo with removable top plate and a separate starter button
No advisories on MOT

The vendor says:

“Very tight engine, pulls extremely well in all gears, doesn't use any oil, water etc and is very sweet sounding;Bosch fuel injection is generally very reliable, and is happiest when on the open road where there is instant response and smooth delivery. Gears all strong with no bearing noise in any of them; if VERY pedantic, there is a slightly slower synchromesh when changing fast from 5th to 4th, but only if one is very rough with it. Under normal driving, this is unnoticeable - the car responds extremely well. Hydraulics are perfect - rises and sinks quickly; I have replaced all the spheres, so suspension really is a magic carpet; steering/bakes highly responsive.”

BEFORE YOU BUY

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