The most famous French car of the mid-20th century was the Citroën DS. It became a revolutionary vehicle that was ahead of its time and forever entered the history of the global automobile industry. Thanks to non-standard design solutions and wide availability, this model has captivated motorists in many countries.
Even today it remains in demand among collectors and lovers of retro style. Today, Citroën DS can be purchased exclusively at auctions where wheeling auto and other vehicles are sold. This option gives you the opportunity to become the owner of a legendary model, the story we want to tell you.
History of the legendary model
Citroën DS is a model with a 20-year history. This car broke all popularity records that existed at that time and rightfully became a world legend. Throughout its history, it has been constantly modernized and improved every year.
50s
The first front-wheel drive car, the Citroën Traction Avant, was gradually becoming obsolete, and the French manufacturer was thinking about developing a new model. It was supposed to be a real discovery, so to solve the problem, the company’s engineers had to work hard for a very long time. As a result, they managed to create the DS model, which later became a symbol of the French automobile industry. The revolutionary model was presented at the Paris Motor Show, which was held in mid-autumn 1955. The new car stood out from its competitors, so it immediately attracted the attention of event visitors. Within a few hours, Citroën accepted more than 12 thousand orders, and by the end of the first week their number increased almost 5 times.
The popularity of the DS was due to its futuristic design, which many other automakers tried to copy in the future. In addition, in this car the developers managed to achieve good handling and a smooth ride, which was a unique phenomenon for models of that time. The popularity of the DS was further increased by its relatively low price. Thanks to her, the car became available to most people. An important design feature of the first DS models was the innovative double wishbone suspension. It made it possible to move freely on French roads, the quality of which at that time was very poor. Other features of this model included a semi-automatic transmission, disc brakes, and centerlock wheels.
In 1957, the DS received its first design changes. The updated model was equipped with a classic braking system, standard steering and a lever for manual gear shifting. All these changes were aimed at simplifying the design of the car and reducing its cost. In 1958, Citroën converted its DS from a sedan to a station wagon. It was produced in two versions, designed for 7 and 9 passengers. Despite the initial attractiveness of this model, it could not overtake the DS sedan in sales.
60s
The most eventful period in the history of DS was the 60s of the last century. At this time, the car was undergoing global changes, most of which were aimed at improving speed characteristics and universalizing the vehicle. At the beginning of 1960, Citroën replaced the previously used 6-volt electrical system with a 12-volt one. A few months later, the developers managed to achieve an increase in power output from 62 hp. up to 83 hp This helped to get a small speed increase, but work on speeding up the DS continued further. Thanks to this, in 1962 it was decided to modify the front part of the car. It became more aerodynamic and did not prevent the DS from accelerating to higher speeds. Such updates helped increase the maximum values by 8 km/h, which was a real breakthrough for that time. Throughout 1963, Citroën was modernizing the appearance of the car. In 1964, the French auto giant introduced the updated DS, which was equipped with lower and upper driving lights (previously absent from the legendary model).
In 1965 the DS became an even faster car. This was made possible thanks to the use of two new engines. The first of them had a volume of almost 2 liters and was able to produce 90 hp. It was a replacement for the outdated powerplant that was used on most previously released versions of the DS. The second engine that Citroën presented had a volume of almost 2.2 liters and a power of 109 hp. It was installed mainly on new models. Both engines were short-stroke (previously the DS used long-stroke), which made it possible to increase the maximum speed and achieve the desired increase in power.
In 1967, the DS received its famous update. In addition to improving the appearance of the car, it now has an additional pair of lights. Its uniqueness lay in its connection with the steering control of the vehicle. As soon as the driver turned the steering wheel in one direction or another, the headlights changed their position and directed the light in the desired direction. The developers connected a previously existing pair of lights to the suspension. All of the above made it possible to achieve an optimal trajectory and glow intensity, regardless of which direction the car was traveling. In 1968, Citroën achieved a further increase in engine power. Depending on the option used, the increase in this indicator was 2-13 hp. In addition, the DS began to be equipped with an improved dashboard that met all the requirements of the time. In the late 60s, the millionth copy of the DS rolled off the production line. This event became a landmark for the company, so it prepared a pleasant surprise for fans of the model. It was the limited edition DS, which used an electronic fuel injection system. It made it possible to increase power to a previously unattainable 139 hp.
70s
This period was the final one in the history of the legendary Citroën DS. At the beginning of 1970, the developers equipped the car with a 5-speed gearbox (manual). She received a lot of good reviews and kicked off the last stage of the model’s transformation. Citroën spent the next 2 years developing new engines. In 1972, the work was completed and versions with a 2.3-liter power plant became available to DS fans. It was supposed to develop a power of 124-141 hp, which was comparable to other cars of that time. Also during this period, Citroën began using an automatic transmission. On the DS, the French manufacturer installed a 3-speed option, which did not become overly popular.
In the 70s, Citroën continued to develop versions of the DS for rally racing. These cars had several differences from those sold to ordinary users. Nevertheless, they reminded everyone of the legendary model. Achieving various successes in racing, the DS became even more popular. At the same time, the number of car sales gradually fell. In the spring of 1975, Citroën announced the end of production of the beloved DS. In total, almost 1.5 million copies were produced over the years of this car’s existence, which is still one of the best figures in history.
Influence on the development of the French automotive industry
The appearance of the DS was a real breakthrough in the French automobile industry. It was this event that made it possible for Citroën to stand on a par with foreign leaders and proudly represent its country on the world market. The high status of the DS made it the main car of France for many years. It was used by almost all high-ranking officials, including President Charles de Gaulle.
Since the late 50s of the last century, the DS has also become the best rally car in the world. At his wheel, many famous racers of that time achieved the highest results, defeating all the original favorites. The dominance continued into the 60s and 70s, making the DS a cult model in motorsport. This circumstance increased interest in the automotive industry throughout France, which enabled many manufacturers to increase sales volumes.
The DS became an innovative car that even more established automakers looked up to. They copied elements of his design and sought to create their own futuristic model. Despite this, no one has been able to achieve Citroën’s results for several decades. In addition, the unique design elements of the DS became the basis for most cars of the mid-20th century. They were used as a basis by many companies that at that time were considered leaders in the global automotive industry.
In its early days, the DS is an iconic retro car that many collectors dream of owning. He still remains in sight and participates in various exhibitions of legendary models. In 1999, the DS finished third in voting for the Car of the Century, just behind the Ford Model T and Mini. At the same time, he managed to get ahead of such famous cars as the Volkswagen Beetle, Porsche 911, Jeep Willys, Ford Mustang and others.
Citroën DS is one of the best models that European companies have ever created. This French car surpassed its competitors and became a cult car for drivers all over the world. Today it is a unique retro transport and rightfully deserves the status of a legend of the global automotive industry.