Learn me Citroën DS

I've spent time dreaming about this model for quite a long time, but now it appears I may have a line on one, and I find myself without any concrete ideas of what it would be like to own one. Does anyone have any real experience with these?

This is the DS-19 with manual transmission. I'd prefer the Citromatic, but what can you do - I'd live with it I'm sure.

Wow. My uncle owned two, a '64 DS-19 and a '71 D Special. That was the last year they were imported, I think. Finding parts might be a real issue.

Interesting car - hydropnuematic suspension and more quirks than you can count. For instance, the brakes are actuated (at least on the earlier models) by a button on the floorboard with about an inch of total travel. It doesn't come with a jack; you lift the car up to its highest position on the pnuematic setting, stick a jackstand under the corner you want to lift, and drop the suspension to its lowest position. The corner you want just magically lifts into the air.

You have to take off the rear fender completely to change the tire. Fortunately, it comes off with one big bolt, the same size as the lug nuts.

Here is the Wheeler Dealers episode on the DS. I haven't watched it yet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkPfBBVH1MM

These are high on my want list. How can you not love the quirky design elements in these things

Best steering wheel ever.

1955!? They had that shape in 1955!?

They kinda scream "salt flats" to me, but there's something so ineffably cool about them that I'm not sure I'd want to modify it at all.

1955 Citroen DS:

1974 Citroen DS:

Didn't change much, did they?

Please do this and document your experience here.

I've wanted one for a long time.

Aside from being one of the coolest cars ever I know nothing. Plus one to what Powar said.

They seem to handle surprisingly well too. I once was driving on a 2 lane backroad with a group of alfa romeos, and one guy brought a DS19 and had no trouble keeping up with everyone else, and they were driving pretty quickly. I havent ever driven a DS though, I did briefly drive an SM once, and that was enough that I plan to buy one someday.

Powar wrote: Please do this and document your experience here. I've wanted one for a long time.

What he said.

They are one of my dream cars.

EvanB wrote:

Powar wrote: Please do this and document your experience here. I've wanted one for a long time.

What he said. They are one of my dream cars.

I third this motion.

And thanks to whoever posted the Wheeler Dealers episode, I was going to post that as well. That's about the most in-depth thing I've seen on the DS.

Pretty wild to consider compared to the other cars that were in their stable in 1955:

The DS has been on my list for a very, very long time. If you get one, please start a blog or something.

kreb wrote: Pretty wild to consider compared to everything else being sold in 1955

Found the TG clip that was on my mind when I was looking for the wheeler dealers vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gpUHtRVBn4

Do it. In the age of the internet, I can't imagine parts beign too difficult any more... other than maybe having to translate French. A good dozen or so show up at Carlisle every year and I'll even see one roaming the streets once every few years, so they can't be that bad.

Unsurprisingly enough, rust is a problem with them. The outer panels including the roof are bolted to a space-frameish construct that can rust pretty well and also hides it well to boot.

If maintained properly they're actually pretty robust, as long as you make sure that you are using the correct fluids for the suspension etc. You'll occasionally have to change the suspension spheres and you're dealing with high pressure hydraulics, but other than that they're not that unconventional.

There is basically nothing that floats down the road like a DS, ID or CX.

ditchdigger wrote:

kreb wrote: Pretty wild to consider compared to everything else being sold in 1955

Found the TG clip that was on my mind when I was looking for the wheeler dealers vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gpUHtRVBn4

Thanks. That was a great clip.

Wow. You really have a line on a DS? Don't leave us hanging!

I occasionally see them on SF bay craigslist for not too much (under $5k), most are expensive though.

I would expect to pay a fair price for a well kept example owned by an enthusiast. I fear a "cheap" one may be a false economy like many other complex, European cars.

I never understood the appeal of these cars.

I sure do. One of the best designs of all time..

Travis_K wrote: They seem to handle surprisingly well too. I once was driving on a 2 lane backroad with a group of alfa romeos, and one guy brought a DS19 and had no trouble keeping up with everyone else, and they were driving pretty quickly. I havent ever driven a DS though, I did briefly drive an SM once, and that was enough that I plan to buy one someday.

I hear old Citroens handle so well because they don't really run out of suspension travel, instead of loosing grip, the car just leans.

A guy I'm talking to is bringing his DS by so I can get a feel for them before I commit. He'll be in the neighborhood helping a friend sell her Trabant, actually.

The DS/ID seems to have a very good parts network considering the year it was built - it was built over a long run, in pretty good numbers. I think one key is to get one owned by a decent mechanic who is also willing to show you the ropes and put you in connection with the parts and support network.

Don't expect a buy thread anytime soon, this purchase will take some time to cook. But I'm already excited.

I hear old Citroens handle so well because they don't really run out of suspension travel, instead of loosing grip, the car just leans.

Somehow I find that picture on the edge of terrifying... At least all 4 tires are still on the ground, even if the left front looks like it will fold under the car...

I took a ride in a friends DS back in the 70's and it was a completely mind blowing experience. It rode and handled like nothing I had been in before or since. Leno is currently doing a resto on one.