Vehicle Description
1972 Citroen DS 21 4 Door Sedan
The Citroen DS is a front mid engined, front wheel drive executive
car manufactured and marketed by Citroen from 1955 to 1975, in
fastback/sedan, wagon/estate, and convertible body configurations,
across three series of one generation. Marketed with a less
expensive variant, the Citroen ID, the DS was known for its
aerodynamic, futuristic body design; unorthodox, quirky, and
innovative technology, and set new standards in ride quality,
handling, and braking thanks to both being the first mass
production car equipped with hydropneumatic suspension, as well as
disc brakes. The 1967 series 3 also introduced directional
headlights to a mass produced car. Italian sculptor and industrial
designer Flaminio Bertoni and the French aeronautical engineer
Andre Lefebvre styled and engineered the car, and Paul Mages
developed the hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension. Robert
Opron designed the 1967 Series 3 facelift. Citroen built 1,455,746
examples in six countries, of which 1,330,755 were manufactured at
Citroen's main Paris Quai de Javel, (now Quai Andre-Citroen),
production plant. In combination with Citroen's proven front-wheel
drive, the DS was used competitively in rally racing during almost
its entire 20 year production run, and achieved multiple major
victories, as early as 1959, and as late as 1974. It placed third
in the 1999 Car of the Century poll recognizing the world's most
influential auto designs and was named the most beautiful car of
all time by Classic & Sports Car magazine.
For consignment, a 1972 Citroen DS 21 in 4 door sedan trim and
sporting a title verified 122,526 actual miles. The DS's chief
party trick was its hydropneumatic, self-levelling suspension. The
ride height could be controlled from inside the car, and it meant
the DS would give its occupants the feeling they were riding on a
cushion of air. This 4 door lima bean shaped vehicle is in
beautiful condition, and has all the trimmings to be a classic, as
it was when first introduced in 1955.
Exterior
An early lesson in aerodynamics with its "extruded" exterior look.
A low slung hood all rounded off with a chrome bumper between the
hood line and lower grille. The bumper appears to wrap around the
front quarters and just above are dual deep inset headlights. The
lower body steel is painted in a closely matched hue of British
Racing Green with some trimmings on the doors, window surrounds and
rear C pillar. Up high we note a light yellow/green painted roof
and the car appears a bit off when you first gaze at it and it is
due to the rear wheels not being as far apart as the front wheels.
Chromed elongated tubes flank the C pillar trim and house bullet
style turn signals on either side of the rear glass. Another curved
bumper for the rear which houses the brake lights and backup lights
within a formed rectangle. Body panels are rust free, however
thereare some inclusions within the green paint.
Interior
Wonderfully aged Saddle brown vinyl is covering the front wide low
back buckets complete with a centrally located rounded armrest. The
seats appear to have been recovered at some point and do present
with a few wrinkles and the rear bench presents as factory fresh.
Interesting for the headrests as they have wings stretching across
the tops of the seats for extra support. These chairs float in a
sea of black carpeting which shows some wear, particularly on the
driver's threshold. A futuristic dash is all in black with a
steering wheel with 1 spoke fronting some shiny inset round
instrumentation. Speaking of futuristic, the door panels, also in
Saddle brown vinyl, have a molded armrest and a large oval chromed
actuator. This car is equipped with the standard 4-speed manual
transmission, an oddity to see on the column. A white cloth
headliner is above and looking nice and tight.
Drivetrain
Under the long and low hood just behind the front mounted spare
tire is a 132.7ci 4 cylinder engine with a 1-barrel carburetor. As
noted, on the back is a 4-speed manual transmission with a 4.375
final drive. The engine rests in an unrestored bay with some
patina, dust and surface rust appearing on the black painted
surfaces.
Undercarriage
Straight rust free aero undercarriage coverings can be seen
throughout the underside of this car. The front panel has some
extensive scratching most likely from encounters with parking
curbs. Inboard power disc brakes are seen on front, and power drum
brakes are on back. The suspension is all hydropneumatic and can be
adjusted as to ride height from the driver's dash switch.
Drive-Ability
Stepping inside the futuristic interior this car fires right up and
off top the test track in hydropneumatic style I went. The 4 speed
shifting on the column took a bit to become accustomed to but in
the end it all worked out. The ride is cushiony and can be adjusted
on the fly and all functions worked as designed with the exception
of the clock not keeping time and the battery light being on. While
Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at
the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions
will be working at the time of your purchase.
Touluse Lautrec, eat your heart out as this French built air ride
aero "bean" is up for consignment and I guarantee you will be the
only one in your town to have one should you decide to pull the
trigger! Ooh La La.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
