And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
The car shown is a vintage 1969 Citroën DS21 Cabriolet, customized by French coachbuilder Henri Chapron.
Technology: Features a revolutionary self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension system that allows for variable ground clearance and exceptional ride comfort.
Unique Features: The Chapron convertible conversion includes lengthened doors and a specifically designed tail section with a fiberglass boot lid.
Engine: Originally equipped with a 2.1-liter engine, with options for Bosch fuel injection increasing power to 139hp by 1969.
Design: Known for its aerodynamic, futuristic design, it was named one of the most beautiful cars of all time.
You could own one if you didn't mind it being in the shop for repairs every other week.
In 1955 when the DS was introduced it was light years ahead of any other car. In the '70s Mercedes licensed its pneumo-hydraulic suspension for the S class to give it a luxurious ride. Ferrari would not have faired headlights for another 3 or 4 years and the headlights are directional, they are connected to the steering system. It was the most aerodynamic five-seater for decades and is still one of the most slippery cars ever mass produced. As previously stated, this is a Chapron modified car as Citroen only made the DS & ID as four door hardtops. You would start by paying for a new DS and then give Monsieur Chapron lots more money and wait a few months as skilled craftsmen did their magic.
The BBC frequently used Citroën DS Safari and CX station wagons in the 1970s and 1980s as "roving eye" camera cars to film horse racing. Their unique hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension provided an exceptionally smooth platform for tracking shots over uneven racecourses, allowing cameras to stay stable at high speeds alongside horses.
The French like doing things their own way - with varying results. Have to admire them for pushing the envelope and offering something different than everyone else. It has gotten difficult these days to differentiate who makes the car without looking at the badge (most of the time)
I'd have to drive one to decide, but I think it's highly stylish in a quirky way. I rode in one of the 4-door sedans once, and it was a good, comfortable ride. But you'd have to find a mechanic that was up to the task and willing to be on speed dial.
My dad's co-worker had one (a sedan of course) of these in the early 1960's when I was just a little kid. I got to ride around in it quite often, and it blew my mind. Single spoke steering wheel, rubber bulb brake pedal; the whole 'lift one wheel like a poodle peeing' bit, and just how spacious it was inside, not to mention how spacey it looked. Still he only had it about a year. After the third time he had to have a mechanic fly in from Atlanta to work on it, it was gone.
I'm still processing the wooden frame thing. Yeah, I know Morgan's have them and a few other roadsters. But a largish all metal body production car. Then again it's French, so...
To change wheels, first put the suspension at the highest level. Then, put a stuck kind of triangular in its receptacle (one for each wheel). The, put the suspension in the lowest position. The, the selected wheel would remain up and clear, ready to be changed. should it be a REGULAR sedan or station wagon, you have to take the rear fender of. In those 2, there was a little chromed button on top or each rear light. Take the button out, and that unlocks the rear of the rear fender. Pull it around until it is about 90 degrees from the body, and pull the fender up and take it off. easypeasy! now, change the wheel and then take in reverse what explained above. And it doesn't rattle!
Beautiful design - check. Innovative engineering concept - check. Citroens had that very compliant, adjustable suspension because they had to ride well on the terrible or nonexistent roads in France's African colonies. But the build quality of drivetrain and frame is a great example of why France has never been a great industrial power. Too much wine and communism.
i like it
ReplyDeleteThese DS were done by Chapron and I believe there was also a Presidential model with four doors. Steve_in_Ottawa
ReplyDeleteAs a kid in Montreal, people called these Citrons or lemons because of their unreliability.
DeleteNice lines.
ReplyDeleteI'd drive that
ReplyDeleteThe car shown is a vintage 1969 Citroën DS21 Cabriolet, customized by French coachbuilder Henri Chapron.
ReplyDeleteTechnology: Features a revolutionary self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension system that allows for variable ground clearance and exceptional ride comfort.
Unique Features: The Chapron convertible conversion includes lengthened doors and a specifically designed tail section with a fiberglass boot lid.
Engine: Originally equipped with a 2.1-liter engine, with options for Bosch fuel injection increasing power to 139hp by 1969.
Design: Known for its aerodynamic, futuristic design, it was named one of the most beautiful cars of all time.
You could own one if you didn't mind it being in the shop for repairs every other week.
Nemo
Assume it has the usual wooden frame. You had to have a termite inspection & get a CL-100 before buying.
ReplyDeleteCitroen stopped using wooden frames in the 1920s. Around the time most other manufacturers stopped using wooden frames
DeleteI lived in Germany for 3 years in the 70's and Citroen's were every where.
ReplyDeleteIt may be "streamlined" in appearance, but it's one butt ugly car IMHO
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of Pink Panther right now.
ReplyDeleteIn 1955 when the DS was introduced it was light years ahead of any other car. In the '70s Mercedes licensed its pneumo-hydraulic suspension for the S class to give it a luxurious ride. Ferrari would not have faired headlights for another 3 or 4 years and the headlights are directional, they are connected to the steering system. It was the most aerodynamic five-seater for decades and is still one of the most slippery cars ever mass produced.
ReplyDeleteAs previously stated, this is a Chapron modified car as Citroen only made the DS & ID as four door hardtops. You would start by paying for a new DS and then give Monsieur Chapron lots more money and wait a few months as skilled craftsmen did their magic.
Al_in_Ottawa
The BBC frequently used Citroën DS Safari and CX station wagons in the 1970s and 1980s as "roving eye" camera cars to film horse racing. Their unique hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension provided an exceptionally smooth platform for tracking shots over uneven racecourses, allowing cameras to stay stable at high speeds alongside horses.
ReplyDeleteMake it red with picnic upholstery and I’ll consider it
ReplyDeleteThe French like doing things their own way - with varying results. Have to admire them for pushing the envelope and offering something different than everyone else. It has gotten difficult these days to differentiate who makes the car without looking at the badge (most of the time)
ReplyDeleteI'd have to drive one to decide, but I think it's highly stylish in a quirky way. I rode in one of the 4-door sedans once, and it was a good, comfortable ride. But you'd have to find a mechanic that was up to the task and willing to be on speed dial.
ReplyDelete“ Design: Known for its aerodynamic, futuristic design, it was named one of the most beautiful cars of all time.” - only by the French.
ReplyDeleteA gas-guzzling rotbox but it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMy dad's co-worker had one (a sedan of course) of these in the early 1960's when I was just a little kid. I got to ride around in it quite often, and it blew my mind. Single spoke steering wheel, rubber bulb brake pedal; the whole 'lift one wheel like a poodle peeing' bit, and just how spacious it was inside, not to mention how spacey it looked. Still he only had it about a year. After the third time he had to have a mechanic fly in from Atlanta to work on it, it was gone.
ReplyDeleteI'm still processing the wooden frame thing. Yeah, I know Morgan's have them and a few other roadsters. But a largish all metal body production car. Then again it's French, so...
ReplyDeleteDon't believe everything you read in the internet
DeleteTo change wheels, first put the suspension at the highest level. Then, put a stuck kind of triangular in its receptacle (one for each wheel). The, put the suspension in the lowest position. The, the selected wheel would remain up and clear, ready to be changed.
ReplyDeleteshould it be a REGULAR sedan or station wagon, you have to take the rear fender of. In those 2, there was a little chromed button on top or each rear light. Take the button out, and that unlocks the rear of the rear fender. Pull it around until it is about 90 degrees from the body, and pull the fender up and take it off.
easypeasy! now, change the wheel and then take in reverse what explained above. And it doesn't rattle!
Why are people mentioning wood frames? These cars diid not have wood frames..
ReplyDeleteBeautiful design - check. Innovative engineering concept - check. Citroens had that very compliant, adjustable suspension because they had to ride well on the terrible or nonexistent roads in France's African colonies. But the build quality of drivetrain and frame is a great example of why France has never been a great industrial power. Too much wine and communism.
ReplyDeleteFrance was never communist.
Deleteplease bear with an old man's memory. i'm thinking in one of "the longest yard" movies, one of these was referred to as a maserati ?
ReplyDeleteThe Citroen SM was related to the DS (same tree branch but a later evolution ) came with a Maserati engine
Delete