Citroën DS20 Pallas, 1969

The Citroen DS must have been responsible for the most sensational introduction on a car show ever. As the DS (DS 19) was presented on the Paris Salon in 1955 the spectators were speechless for they had never seen anything like it. The crowd was given a materialized glance in the future of the automobile. Citroen received about 12.000 client orders for the car on the first day.

The Citroen DS was not only very revolutionary different by exterior design and construction, the car also incorporated many innovations. The aerodynamically shaped unitary bodywork consisted of a rigid steel base unit on which the outside panels were bolted down. The doors, wings and trunk lid being made of pressed steel Citroen fabricated the bonnet of aluminium and the roof panel of glass fiber reinforced plastic! (GRP). The most revolutionary item was the all round hydro pneumatic suspension which truly set apart the DS from any car on the market. The comfort level could literally only be matched by a flying carpet from a fairy tale... The ride height could be adjusted with a lever, normal for touring and higher or real high for demanding terrain circumstances. Not only the suspension was hydraulically operated, also the (servo assisted) brakes (operated by a mushroom shaped foot button) and the half automatic four speed gearbox were hydraulically operated. In the year 1956 Citroen introduced a affordable and more sober model: the ID 19. The ID (Ideal) was a more conventional car for people who thought the DS was too futuristic or too expensive. The ID was fitted with a 'normal' four speed gearbox and clutch, no power steering and a conventional hydraulic brake system.

We distinguish the following models (which were given some cosmetic updates thru the years): DS 19 (1911 cc engine 1956-1968), ID 19 (1957-1971), DS 21 (2175 cc. engine 1966-1968), DS 20 (1985 cc engine 1969-1974), D Super 5 (2175 cc. 1972-1974), DS 23 (2347 cc. engine 1972-1974) DS 23 injection (1972-1975).

All ID models were available as station wagon version named 'Break'. Only the last DS models were sold as 'Break'. The most luxurious DS models were named Pallas. These limousines featured all the goodies Citroen had to offer including perfect sound proofing, full leather interiors, deep carpet etc. The Pallas Prestige even featured a separation window between the front seats and the rear compartment. Striking convertible (decapotable) models were built by Chapron and by the factory. The Citroen DS is one of the most important automobiles in history and one of the great classics.

Technical data*

4 cylinder engine
carburettor: two stage Weber 28/36
cylinder capacity: 2347 cc.
capacity: 124 SAE bhp. at 5500 rpm.
gearbox: 4-speed semi-automatic (no clutch) or 5, manual shift
top speed: approx. 178 km/h.
weight: 1320 - 1435 kg.

_{*Source: The Original Citroen DS}