Description
H&H Classic Auction @Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
27th Nov, 2024 13:00
1968 Citroen DS21 Pallas
Estimate
£25, 000 - £30, 000
Registration No: 175 XUY
Chassis No: 4486529
MOT: Exempt
Proof to some that Planet Earth is periodically visited by little green men from beyond the stars, the front-wheel drive Citroen DS was introduced to a spellbound Paris Salon on the 5th of October 1955. Responsible for unleashing more technological 'brainstorms' upon the field of automotive design than any production car before or since, its wonderfully futuristic 'speeding teardrop' profile was penned in-house by Flaminio Bertoni. Featuring an olio-pneumatic operating system that controlled its self-levelling suspension, power steering, semi-automatic gear change, and brakes, the big Citroen offered an uncannily smooth ride. In production for some twenty years, the DS was subject to a number of face-lifts, with perhaps the most recognisable change from the 1968 model year being a redesign of the front end to include aerodynamic, faired in SEV Marchal headlights that turned with the steering movement to more effectively see around corners on dark roads. The DS became the choice of high-ranking politicians and celebrities alike, and was available in many different trim levels, with the 'pièce de résistance' Pallas offering more luxurious chrome trim, better soundproofing and the option of a full leather interior.
One of the earliest produced examples with the redesigned aerodynamic front end, chassis 4486529 is dated to the 1968 model year and was specified as a top specification Pallas with optional leather seat trimming. Little is known about the early history of the DS, however it is shown to have been imported around 2010 from France and owned by one gentleman until 2018, when it was purchased by the vendor. The vendor, an enthusiast who regularly restores interesting classics, immediately subject the big Citroen to a full nut and bolt overhaul which has been fully documented by a set of images. During the overhaul, the body was subjected to a complete bare metal strip down and repaint, along with a complete mechanical overhaul to the engine, hydro-pneumatic suspension and braking systems. The interior has also been subject to a complete overhaul, with the vendor advising that he had spent some £4, 000 on a replacement curved dashboard. Further improvements after the vendor’s hard work were entrusted to the DS Workshop in Potter’s Bar to set up the suspension, and the entire restoration was completed in 2021.
Upon inspection, ‘175 XUY’ was noted to be a particularly fine example and our short drive to the photography location proved extremely pleasurable, with the suspension performing as expected. The vendor has stated that the car performs ‘excellently’ and has remarked that the rest of the car is also overall ‘excellent’, apart from the bodywork which is showing small signs of bubbling in very small areas due to the car having been used regularly for three years since restoration.
Every classic car enthusiast should own a DS at some point in their life, as they really are a completely unique experience, and this particular example should be at the top of the list for anybody considering one and is offered complete with an original workshop manual and V5C.
