VIN 4251004
- One of just 184 DS Chapron Decapotables built in 1964
- Turbocharged, fuel-injected 2.5-liter Citroen CX engine with
Motec engine management
- Upgraded five-speed gearbox with Hewland gears and
LHM-converted hydraulics
- More than $300,000 invested in the driveline conversion,
cosmetic restoration, and servicing
- Indigo blue over tan leather with Jaeger instrumentation and
restored factory radio with Bluetooth, Aux, and USB
Citroen stunned the automotive world with the DS at the 1955 Paris
Auto Salon. Its front-wheel drive layout, hydropneumatic
suspension, hydraulically assisted disc brakes, semi-automatic
transmission, unibody construction, fiberglass roof, and futuristic
styling were unlike anything else on the road. Yet for all its
innovation, the DS was no mere concept: Citroen took 12,000 orders
on the first day and ultimately built more than 1.4 million
examples over a twenty-year production run.
Among the most desirable variants were the coachbuilt models by
Henri Chapron. Citroen was so impressed with Chapron's work that it
commissioned the firm to produce an officially sanctioned
Decapotable. Converting the four-door DS into a two-door cabriolet
required substantial structural reinforcement and extensive new
bodywork from the windscreen rearward. Built in small numbers, the
Chapron Decapotable remains one of the rarest and most elegant
interpretations of Citroen's revolutionary design.
Beautifully restored and comprehensively upgraded without regard to
cost, this 1964 Citroen DS19 Chapron Decapotable 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. However, a look under the bonnet reveals a
big surprise in the form of a turbocharged, fuel-injected,
2.5-liter inline-four cylinder borrowed from a Citroen CX.
The initial restoration commenced around 2004 while the car was in
The Netherlands. In 2011, the Citroen came to the United States
courtesy of an enthusiastic new owner who immediately had it
prepared for touring and rallies. Wanting more from the Citroen, he
decided the car needed more power but wanted to respect its rarity
and importance. They called upon an Indiana-based
prototyping/engineering firm to source, rebuild and install the
late-model CX GTi Turbo engine.
The transformation, taking place between 2011 and 2013, involved
much more than a simple engine swap. An incredible amount of
engineering took place to adapt the transverse CX engine into the
longitudinal DS platform and still have it fit under the stock
bonnet. Before installation, the engine was rebuilt for additional
power, refinement, and longevity. The 2.5-liter "stroker"
crankshaft is micro-polished, lightened, balanced, and paired with
custom billet pistons and balanced connecting rods. Additional
features include a ported-polished head with stainless valves, a
specially designed cam, a custom CNC-milled flywheel, and an
updated turbo. Fueling and ignition are controlled via a standalone
Motec M400 ECU, adapted with a hall-effect distributor, crank, and
cam sensors. A custom alloy radiator by Ron Davis keeps things
cool, and the 5-speed manual gearbox has been suitably upgraded
with new gears made by the respected Hewland Engineering in the UK.
Countless other details of the seamless installation ensure that
when the bonnet is closed, this DS is virtually indistinguishable
from a standard car.
The paintwork is gorgeous, as in recent years the DS was refinished
in a striking shade of indigo blue. The coachwork is to the same
standard, crisply defined and precise. Lighting consists of lovely
Cibie headlamps and S.E.V. Marchal fog light pods, specifically
designed for the DS and appropriately fitted with yellow bulbs. To
maintain the "Q-ship" appearance, the DS rides on standard wheels
finished in cream and adorned with full stainless steel wheel
covers.
In the opulent and stylish cabin, supple tan leather is in
excellent order, displaying light creasing from use. The
fully-lined blue canvas soft-top is taut and beautifully ties the
color scheme together. Luxurious carpets and other trimmings are
fitted with care and precision. Appointments include a rare
factory-optional Jaeger round-dial instrument panel and a correct
factory radio that was fully restored and modified with an
equalizer and Bluetooth�/Aux/USB connectivity.
More recently, the mechanicals of this Citroen have been further
dialed-in, ensuring utmost drivability for the comprehensive
upgrades fitted. Additionally, the DS operates on the widely
available and non-hygroscopic LHM hydraulic fluid, an important
upgrade for early French hydraulics. Putting the project into
context, the engine conversion cost over $200,000, with a further
$100,000-plus spent on recent cosmetic work and servicing. As
offered today, this DS19 is one of the most refined and immersive
cars we have driven from the French marque.
With just 184 DS Chapron Decapotable models built in 1964, this is
indeed a rare and highly collectible classic. It is also one of the
finest examples we have encountered, and the exhaustive,
beautifully engineered upgrades make it an absolute pleasure to
drive. Elegantly presented as not to spoil its beautiful lines, yet
with at least double the original power, this gorgeous Chapron DS
is sure to bring much joy to its next keeper.
Offers welcome and trades considered.
