Vehicle Description
Just as it had with the Traction Avant in the 1930s, Citroen
shocked the world yet again when it unveiled the revolutionary DS
at the Paris Auto Salon in 1955. To create the DS, Citroen's
managers, engineers, and designers risked everything on a wholly
unconventional car that would turn the automobile industry on its
head. At a time when a typical American upscale family car had a
separate frame and leaf spring rear suspension, Citroen's
front-wheel drive sedan featured a central hydraulic system that
controlled the power steering, four-wheel disc brakes, and
four-wheel independent hydropneumatic suspension. It also had
semi-automatic shifting, unibody construction, a fiberglass roof to
lower the center of gravity, and space-age styling that was like
nothing seen before or since. So shocking was the design that the
famed aesthete Roland Barthes described it as having "fallen from
the sky." Perhaps the most incredible aspect of the DS was that it
was not a styling exercise or a low-production halo car, rather, it
was intended for general consumption and built in surprisingly
large numbers. Citroen produced more than 1.4 million examples in
the car's incredible twenty-year run. Throughout production,
Citroen offered several variants of the car, including the standard
DS sedan, the stripped down and simplified ID, and the cavernous
Safari wagon. Select outside coachbuilders also embraced the DS,
with none more prolific than the great Parisian firm Henri Chapron.
Limousines, coupes, and convertibles all came out of the Chapron
shop, first as private conversions. Citroen was so impressed with
the conversion that they commissioned Chapron to produce an
officially sanctioned cabriolet. In order to turn a sedan into a
cabriolet, Chapron substantially reworked car, reinforcing its
platform for additional torsional rigidity. Every panel from the
windscreen back was new for the so-called D�capotable. Chapron
stretched the doors, built new quarters and bootlid, and revised
the rear bumper to accommodate the turn signals which had to be
moved from the standard location on the C-pillar. Thankfully, the
conversion lost none of the DS's drama. Hand-built in small
numbers, the Chapron D�capotable is counted among the most
exclusive and collectible variants of the DS, with exceptional
examples coveted by collectors for their achingly beautiful lines
as much as for their rarity. Beautifully restored and
comprehensively upgraded, this 1964 Citroen DS19 D�capotable offers
much more than initially meets the eye. On the surface, this is an
exquisitely restored and finely detailed DS Chapron, finished in a
gorgeous shade of metallic indigo blue with a blue canvas roof and
tan leather interior. Lifting the bonnet, however, reveals a
comprehensively built, turbocharged, fuel-injected 2.5-liter engine
adapted from a later Citroen CX. From top to bottom, the
restoration and subsequent improvements are beautifully executed.
The initial restoration occurred around 2004, while the car was in
Europe. The project is documented with a series of photographs, and
copies of ownership papers place the car in Holland in 2006. In
2011, the Citroen came to the United States courtesy of an
enthusiastic new owner who immediately had it serviced and prepared
for touring and rallies. Around that time, it was decided to
replace the original engine with something more powerful, while
respecting the car's rarity and importance. The owner then
commissioned an Indiana-based prototyping/engineering firm to
source, build and install a late-model CX GTi Turbo engine. An
impressive stack of invoices document the process, which took place
from 2011-2013. So much more than a simple engine swap, an
incredible amount of re-engineering took place to adapt the
transverse CX engine into the longitudinal DS platform and have it
fit under the bonnet. Before installation, the engine was rebuilt
for additional power, refinement, and longevity. The 2.5-liter
"stroker" crankshaft is micro polished, lightened and balanced,
then paired with custom billet pistons and balanced connecting
rods. Additional features include a ported-polished head with
stainless valves, a specially designed cam, custom CNC-milled
flywheel, and an updated turbo. Fueling and ignition are controlled
via a standalone Motec M400 ECU, custom adapted with a hall-effect
distributor, crank and cam sensors. A custom alloy radiator by Ron
Davis keeps things cool, and the 5-speed gearbox has been suitably
upgraded with gears made by Hewland. Countless other details ensure
a seamless installation that, when the bonnet is closed, allows the
car to be virtually indistinguishable from a standard model.
Resplendent in the gorgeous shade of blue, the body and paintwork
are outstanding, with straight panels and excellent brightwork.
Panel fit is precise and consistent, and the detailing is
exceptional. It rides on factory steel wheels, finished in cream as
original and adorned with full stainless steel wheel covers.
Vredestein Sprint Classic radials provide ample grip to handle the
additional output of the new engine. Lighting consists of lovely
Cibie headlamps and S.E.V. Marchal fog light pods, specifically
designed for the DS. The interior is beautifully restored using the
highest-quality materials. The tan leather seats remain supple,
with only the slightest signs of creasing beginning to show in the
driver's seat. Luxurious carpets and other trimmings are fitted
with care and precision. Appointments include the optional Jaeger
round-dial instrument panel as well as a restored factory radio.
Switches, controls, and knobs have all been fully restored, making
the dash just as beautiful as the rest of the car. The blue canvas
soft-top fits snugly, is fully lined, and ties the color scheme
together beautifully. Great care was taken to ensure this DS
operates as it should, including the hydraulics, which are
converted to use the widely available LHM fluid. In essence, this
is a concours-restored DS Chapron, thoughtfully and meticulously
updated for use in modern conditions. The sale includes the
original 1.9-liter engine, gearbox, and most of the parts removed
during the conversion. Also included is an extensive history file
with restoration photos and invoices for the service and engine
conversion totaling nearly $200,000. As one of just 184 Chapron
D�capotable models built in 1964, this car is indeed very rare and
highly collectible. Without a doubt, this is one of the finest
examples we have encountered, and the extensive upgrades ensure it
is an absolute joy to drive. The elegant presentation is sure to
please the purists, and with at least double the original output,
this gorgeous Chapron is certain to thrill its next keeper.