Very French: ’70 Citroen DS21
What can you say about a Citroen DS 21 other than it is so very cool. When the aerodynamic Citroen DS was introduced at the 1955 Paris Auto Show, it was proclaimed as the most advanced car in the world. In many regards it still is. The hydro-pneumatic suspension, was powered by an engine pump to an impressive 2,200 psi and this one system, raised the car as high as 10 inches through a lever inside. It also shifted the gears as fast as a twin-clutch setup and ran the power steering and power disc brakes, which were so sensitive that the pedal was replaced by a small button on the floor. The secret of the suspension was the nitrogen spheres, which were interconnected by the hydraulic system to function as springs. Along with the car’s armchair seats, they provided the best ride in the world. The DS was effective enough to win the Monte Carlo Rally and the East African Safari Rally, which hardly had any roads at all. The key to owning any DS is having a skilled mechanic to work on it; one with knowledge, connections, and special tools. So if you have a hankering for a Citroen, you better live near help. Beware of rust, as the DS platform is a number of sheet metal boxes. If rust gets away from you, you’ll never catch up. Do not buy a project car, as cars in dire need of anything will decimate your bank account. As enthusiasts are quick to point out, there are many more dead DSs around than good running cars. Sourcing spares is not the problem; finding a good car to use them on is. And that is why we decided to post this one. According to the seller, it was restored about ten years ago based on a low mileage car. All the systems are in working order and updated as necessary. It is a Bosch Fuel Injected car with a manual transmission. The perfect combination. We like it in silver although the interior looks a little like a bordello (not that we know what that looks like). We would prefer the standard vinyl in a dark red but would sacrifice that preference for a strong body and mechanicals. We want to thank frequent contributor Inspector Jaques Clouseau for the heads up on this one. See the listing by clicking here.