1961 Citroën DS 19 Lot n° 130

Known history Nice configuration Ashtray fenders French registration Chassis n° 4022146 The DS Citroën was the work of gifted designers and had the difficult task of succeeding the Traction Avant in 1955. It struck the public with its original, strikingly modern lines, a masterpiece of Flaminio Bertoni, but it also astonished with its technology and design: hydropneumatic suspension, power steering, disc brakes, semi-automatic gearbox, to name but a few examples. With a twenty-year career and a variety of models ranging from the elegant convertible to the utilitarian station wagon version, it also shone in competition, winning the Monte Carlo Rally in 1958. It is worth noting that the 1960, 1961 and 1962 vintages saw the addition of front wing grilles, known as «ashtrays» on the DS (and not on the ID), which were intended to cool the hydraulic system. A true myth and symbol of a whole era of French industrial genius, the DS is one of the most collected cars in the world. One finds enthusiasts driving it daily in California or even in Australia, proof of its great robustness and ease of use.  The car we are presenting was first driven on 20 January 1961 in the Gironde, then moved to the Haute Garonne in 1963 and has never left the department since. The previous owner acquired the car in 2004, it had not been driven for a long time and a mechanical restoration was necessary. The work was carried out by the club Ideal DS Côte Basque of Bayonne. Our car is now in its original configuration, the bodywork was repainted last year, it has a beautiful Esterel red livery with a white roof. Inside, the fabric upholstery was restored in 2016 in its original Helanca red colour. The rest of the interior has not been restored and is in its original condition. The odometer now shows 80,300 km, we note that the original red fluid hydraulic system has been retained. This interesting model with its original configuration will appeal to enthusiasts of the model.