The French car brand Citroën isn’t one that most Americans are familiar with. They were sold here, for a while, but closed all US dealerships in 1972. A shame, because several of their cars, including the DS, are counted among the most interesting of the last century.
The Citroën DS is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2015 with its first big celebration taking place in London this month. The DS was ground breaking when it first launched at the Paris motor show in October 1955, with a profile never before seen on a car.
As well as those looks, the DS was technically innovative and continued in production for 20 years. It was front-wheel drive, a novelty for the time, and featured hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension along with hydraulic operation of the clutch and gearbox (as well as the brakes and power steering). The DS was the first mass-produced car with front disc brakes, mounted inboard to reduce unsprung weight, an all-round independent suspension, and turning headlamps.
I first came across the car in 1995. One look and I was hooked. I bought my ’72 DS21 a few months later and have enjoyed driving it ever since.
– Troy