About this Citroen DS

Launched at the Paris motor show in 1955, the Citroën DS shocked the world with its aerodynamic design and innovative technology and it is reported that in the first 15 minutes of the show, 743 orders were taken and almost 12,000 in the first day! A symbol of French ingenuity, it was a spaceship by the standards of the time and it was manufactured from 1955 through to 1975 with 1,455,746 examples built in six countries, of which 1,330,755 were manufactured at Citroën's main Quai de Javel production plant.

The Citroën DS featured many innovative features and was the first mass-production car with front Disc Brakes, Hydropneumatic and Independent Suspension including an automatic self-levelling system, Power Steering, a fibreglass roof which reduced weight and consequently its centre of gravity and new radial tyre technology which the engineers exploited through its parent company Michelin. Also, they came with new advanced headlights with four lights mounted behind transparent covers. The outer pair were linked to the suspension to maintain a level beam regardless of the car’s movement and the inner lamps swivelled with the steering, something that’s only just becoming commonplace on cars today.

There are very few cars manufactured today that can match the ride and comfort of a Citroën DS and it was an unlikely winner of the Monte Carlo Rally in 1959 and controversially again in 1966 due to the hydro pneumatic suspension coping so well over rough terrain.

The Citroën DS was placed fifth on Automobile Magazine's '100 Coolest Cars' listing in 2005 and was also named one of the most beautiful cars of all time by Classic & Sports Car magazine after a poll of 20 world-renowned car designers.

The South African assembly of the DS began towards the end of 1959 at Natalspruit on the outskirts of Johannesburg and after 20 years in 1969 production moved to the old Jeep factory in Pretoria on a temporary basis as the following year it relocated again to the former British Leyland factory at Port Elizabeth in the Cape Province in 1970. By then just the DS20 and DS20M were being produced. The only real difference between the South African and French built cars were the Vinyl Seats rather than leather and a few other minor locally sourced parts.

By the time Citroen closed their operations in South Africa in 1979, almost 11,000 DS models were produced there, but unfortunately all production records have been lost and the exact number of each DS model built is unknown.

This lovely Citroen DS20 - Chassis No: 0569030803 and Engine No: 0569030803 is a 'Matching Numbers' car and although Citroen's original production records have been lost, it appears that this example was built in Citroen's plant in Pretoria, South Africa in late 1969 and first registered on 1st January 1970 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

It is finished in Black with a lovely re-trimmed Tan Vinyl interior, Black carpets, its original Steering Wheel and working period Stereo/Radio Cassette Player, DY2 1985cc Four Cylinder Engine, 5 Speed Manual Gearbox, Power Assisted Steering, Hydropneumatic Suspension, excellent Chrome including Hub Caps and both Bumpers and has a completely rust-free body with overall very nice paintwork.

The Speedometer is showing 66,510 Kms (41,328 miles), but due to there being no early history with this car we are unable to confirm its actual mileage from new and it should therefore be considered as incorrect as we just don't know. It has been the subject of some refurbishment works in South Africa as it does have some later fittings and upgrades, but unfortunately there are no records of the works which we were informed undertaken in circa 2010.

The car was purchased in 2014 by a well known car collector in Johannesburg, South Africa and it has formed part of his huge collection for the last 7 years until being sold and purchased this summer by a client who shipped it to the UK in October 2021.

The car has just been to a Citroen DS specialist and they have carried out a full checkover and re-commissioning of the car including an Engine and Gearbox service, Suspension service, new Brake Discs and Pads, a new set of Tyres and many other new parts having been fitted. Just over £7,000 was spent on these works and re-commissioning of the car and a copies of the invoices are attached in the Documents.

This is a lovely rust-free example in very good condition throughout and it really is very nice to drive. The Engine and Gearbox are both very smooth, the interior is beautiful and the Hydropneumatic Suspension works as it should and the paint and bodywork is exceptionally nice with only the odd blemish visible.

The car has just been registered here in the UK and now wears the UK number plate LWT 544H.
Upon sale the car will come with our own customer care package including full HPI/provenance Checks, a new MOT and our own 6 months Mechanical Breakdown Parts & Labour Warranty which can be upgraded and extended at additional cost if required.

Car on display @ our showrooms in Mortlake, South West London.

NB: Classic Chrome Ltd make every effort to ensure that the information in this advertisement is accurate and all statements as to provenance and condition are given as opinions only. When describing any car that is more than 20 years old, we sometimes have to rely on the car’s history file and any information provided by the previous owner(s). This information in passed on in good faith and is therefore not purported to be a statement of fact. Any prospective purchaser must satisfy themselves as to the condition and fitness for use of the vehicle. This does not affect your statutory rights.