For Sale at Auction: 1965 Citroen DS21 in Carmel, California

Chassis No. 4350009
Body No. 7550

Many enthusiasts pursue the cars everyone agrees are desirable. Others spend years searching for the automobiles that make even seasoned collectors stop, walk back, and ask, "What is that?" The latter are rarely interested in the obvious. They appreciate ingenuity over convention, individuality over fashion, and understand that the most rewarding cars are often those that defy easy categorization. For such a collector, few automobiles are as compelling as a Citroen DS 21 with bespoke coachwork by Henri Chapron-one of approximately 35 Concordes produced and a singular interpretation of Citroen's revolutionary masterpiece from the master of French coachbuilding.

Ordered by French architect Jean Lavail on 15 October 1965, Monsieur Lavail's DS 21 was given commission number 7550. Likely heavily involved in the specification of his new coachbuilt Citroen pullman, Lavail specified several additional extras on top of Chapron's Series II bodywork finished in a two-tone livery of Midnight Blue with its pavillon and malle finished in a contrasting Shell Gray for 33,860 French Francs. In addition to the unique color scheme, Lavail chose a set of five Robergel wire wheels, similar to those seen on earlier Facel Vegas, recessed Marchal iodine fog lights, and a Superplaque license plate made of stamped metal. Inside, an interior trimmed in natural leather was chosen, smartly contrasting with the nautical exterior and featured optional Jaeger gauges, electric windows, and a high-end Radiomatic TA3 P8 FM stereo with an automatic Hirschmann antenna. With 5,815 Francs in additional extras and tax, Lavail's stylish new Concorde totaled just over 40,000 Francs, the equivalent of an impressive $8,000 at the time. It was completed on 10 December 1965.

The car is believed to have spent the majority of its life in France and to have changed hands in 1985 before landing with a Citroen mechanic in Pontarlier who likely saw the rarity before him and gradually returned it to running condition at the turn of the century. A repaint was reportedly conducted by Garage Meyer in France before the car's export to the United States culminating in a public sale in 2019. In 2022, it joined the collection of its most recent caretaker, a noted collector of many of the most unique and interesting low-volume 20th century production cars. This remarkable DS 21 Concorde by Henri Chapron Carrossier was among kindred spirits as a unique interpretation of a French avant-garde classic with the perfect mix of Citroen's ingenious technical advances, supple hydropneumatic ride quality, and supreme elegance.