Lot Ended
Description
Five-speed manual; rock solid car from the South of France;
recently completed a 2,000-mile European tour; a well-sorted example, ready
to enjoy
It seems
impossible to believe that it is now 68 years since the revolutionary Citroen DS
was first unveiled to a stunned public. The design still looks fresh today and
the Gallic good looks still have the power to stop people in their
tracks. Indeed the DS was voted 'the most beautiful car of all
time' by a panel of 20 car designers in 2009.
Supplied new in 1971, this Citroen DS21 reputedly had just one
French owner (a gentleman in Gemenos near Marseille) before being imported into
the UK in 2003 through French Classics of Kent. It has had four UK owners since,
the first of whom used the car extensively on international road rallies,
including Le Jog in which it achieved a class win.
It comes with lots of invoices to show regular upkeep over the last
20 years, the first British owner fitting UK spec upgraded Halogen headlamps
correctly wired with relays etc. In addition, the car has had 123 electronic
ignition fitted, new brake pads and shoes, a new alternator and uprated radiator
and water pump. It also has a Hi-Torque starter and the latest-type uprated
drive shafts and the head has been off and new valves and springs fitted
too.
At some point a tow bar has been added and there is a ‘yet to be
fitted’ Retro-Classic radio. An expensive unit, it has a modern DAB conversion
and comes with speakers and a clever front designed to make it look very close
to the original. The boot also contains a comprehensive touring kit which
includes the sorts of spares one might need for a dash across the Continent plus
a new accumulator sphere, wheel trims and a pair of headlight glasses (hard to
find we are told).
Within the last few years the car has had a full LHM
fluid flush, new suspension spheres and a new hydraulic pump. We are told that
the suspension is healthy, supported by the audible clicking in and out of the
hydraulic pump valve at 15 second intervals or so.
Our vendor acquired
the car via Brightwells in early 2022 in order to undertake a 2,000-mile tour
through Europe, which he tells us it achieved without fault or use of oil while
averaging 27mpg. Treated to a thorough service before the trip, it has also
had another major service since, courtesy of Willow Garage of Antrobus, which
included the replacement of several suspension bellows and rustproofing of the
underside and the door cavities. It also had its steering set up by Citroen
Classics of Staines who reputedly volunteered that it was ‘one of the best we’ve
tried’.
A well-spec’d car with a nice rear sunblind, it has several
standard features which make DS ownership particularly straightforward –
including a carburettor and an easy-to-use five-speed manual gearbox. An owner's
handbook is present (in French, naturellement) along with much
useful technical literature to aid keeping the car in good
fettle.
Thoroughly sorted and with no
signs of any significant corrosion that the vendor can detect, this smart DS is
only reluctantly for sale due to loss of storage and is ready for the next owner
to enjoy.
For more information contact
James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com