Vehicle Description
Much as it had with the Traction Avant in the 1930s, Citroen
shocked the world yet again when it introduced the revolutionary DS
to the public at the Paris Auto Salon in 1955. In creating the DS,
Citroen management pushed the engineering team and designers to
think outside of standard conventions and turn the automobile
industry on its head. With the extensive development required, they
risked the very existence of the company. When it appeared in Paris
for the first time, the world was taken aback at what Citroen
created. At a time when the average American upscale family car had
a separate frame and leaf spring rear suspension, Citroen's
front-wheel-drive sedan featured monocoque construction, four-wheel
independent suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes. But the piece
de resistance lay in the central high-pressure hydraulic system
that controlled the power steering, disc brakes, and damping for
the hydropneumatic suspension. Also available was a brilliant
semi-automatic gearbox that utilized an automatic, hydraulically
controlled clutch. Encapsulating all of that technical wizardry was
a space-age body designed by sculptor Flaminio Bertoni and
aeronautical engineer Andre Lefebvre. The shape was like nothing
seen before or since. So incredible was the design that the famed
aesthete Roland Barthes described it as having "fallen from the
sky." Attendees of the Paris show responded with enthusiasm,
placing twelve thousand deposits on the first day alone. For all of
its technical and aesthetic brio, the DS was not intended as a
one-off show car or a limited production halo car reserved for a
few wealthy buyers. In practice, it was quite the opposite as the
DS served as a mid-priced, mass-production family car for general
consumption. Citroen produced more than 1.4 million examples in the
car's incredible twenty-year run. Throughout production, engineers
continued to refine the car's styling and mechanical specification.
The many variants of the DS including the standard sedan, the
luxurious Pallas, the stripped down and simplified ID, and the
cavernous Safari wagon, along with many coachbuilt variations. For
1968, Robert Opron redesigned the front end, incorporating the now
iconic swiveling driving lamps behind aerodynamic glass covers. The
Citroen DS is a regular addition to lists naming the most beautiful
or most significant cars of the 20th century, and one drive is
enough to appreciate why the DS stands as France's most celebrated
car, a beautiful blend of art, engineering, and Avant-Garde
thinking. The 1973 Citroen DS23 presented here is an outstanding
example. This "FG-Series" model has the Borg Warner fully automatic
three speed gearbox and the most powerful engine offered in a
standard DS: The 130 horsepower, fuel-injected 2.3-liter inline
four. This well-maintained European market example presents in
marvelous, highly original condition finished in metallic grey over
black Pallas leather trim. The body is crisp and straight, with
very nice paintwork and detailing. A minor touchup or two can be
found on inspection; however, the overall presentation is gorgeous.
Stainless steel bumpers, wheel covers, and trim all present in
excellent condition, showing some light polish marks yet remaining
straight and in fine order. As a top-line Pallas model, this car
has all of the posh, luxurious trim. The black leather is
excellent, the same black leather covers the door panels, and
armrests, and presents in similarly excellent condition, as do the
carpets. Such details make being a passenger in a DS an absolute
delight. Later models such as this feature a textured plastic
instrument panel, which in this car is excellent and crack-free.
Similarly, the delicate switches and controls are in fine
condition, showing this car has enjoyed a charmed existence.
Detailing under the bonnet is appropriate for an original,
well-maintained example. The engine bay is tidy and shows signs of
regular maintenance, retaining the original Bosch electronic fuel
injection and correct fittings and hardware. The hydraulic system
works as it should, raising the car off the bump stops shortly
after startup, and cycling through the various ride height settings
swiftly and smoothly. The high-pressure hydraulic disc brakes and
power steering also operate as they should, allowing for
effortless, relaxed motoring. After more than a million examples
built over twenty years, the DS never seemed dated or old-fashioned
thanks to continual refinement of the original concept. This car is
a beautiful example of the ultimate specification DS, featuring all
of the improvements and upgrades made through the years that kept
the car on the cutting-edge. Well-maintained and a delight to
drive, this desirable DS23 Pallas is sure to reward its next keeper
with miles of luxurious motoring. Offers welcome and trades
considered. For additional details please view this listing
directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7760-1973-citroen-ds23-pallas/
