When Citroen finally replaced the Traction Avant with its DS19, the resulting vehicle was so popular that 12,000 orders rolled in on October 6, 1955, the day it was launched at the Paris Motor Show. That sales record stood until the Tesla Model 3 took the stage in 2016, garnering 180,000 first-day orders. All told, some 1.4 million DSs, IDs, and their variants were sold from 1955 through the end of production in 1975. The DS’s futuristic lines, penned by Italian industrial designer Flaminio Bertoni, emphasized a fascination with the space age. Fittingly, the car was engineered by André Lefèbvre, who began his career in aeronautics. Rounding out the troika responsible for this fabulous car was Paul Magès, designer of the hydropneumatic suspension that is so famously Citroen-esque. Magès started at Citroen at age 17 and had no technical training, a factor that allowed him to dream up what was considered impossible – a forgiving suspension that also handled well. Here on craigslist is a 1967 Citroen DS21 Pallas project, with an asking price of $10,000. This car is located a few miles from yours truly, in Portland, Oregon. Thanks to T.J. for this fabulous tip!
This DS21 has a few unique features. First, it is a Pallas, which is the luxury trim version of the DS series. Some Pallas have velour cloth interiors; this one is tobacco leather. The Pallas trim also includes chrome strips on the doors and dash, stainless molding along the waistline of the body, and a high-quality headliner. These seats are a little the worse for wear, but refurbishment is not hard thanks to a thriving Citroen fan base. Being a 1967 model, the dash still has a quirky curvilinear shape; later cars had a conventional layout. The single-spoke steering wheel was a feature throughout production. This is also the last year of the Bertoni design with fender-mounted light pods. The sale includes brand-new lights and chrome trim, still in boxes.
This car is a five-speed manual – a rare option never delivered on US cars. The seller indicates that the transmission was replaced in 2003; we don’t know what type of transmission was original to the car. But plenty of Citroens have seen engine and transmission swaps by now; there isn’t a “matching numbers” obsession in the Citroen world. Speaking of the engine, the DS21 was delivered with a 2175 cc four-cylinder motor delivering about 100 hp to the front wheels. And speaking of the wheels, the seller reports that this car runs well but the brakes drag. The sale includes new calipers and pads. Other work includes a rebuilt Weber carburetor, flushed gas tank, and new fuel pump.
When the transmission work was completed, the hygroscopic hydraulic system was replaced. This car does not have the improved water-resistant LHM fluid; it retains the older mineral oil type system, which is prone to corrosion. And, speaking of corrosion, the seller reports spots of panel rust here and there, but nothing serious. Citroen DS cars have gained favor with collectors in the last few years. Very nice cars can sell for over $50k. Despite this one’s drawbacks, the model year, Pallas option, and five-speed are compelling given the asking price. What do you think?
Nice “fish”. Always thought these were the neatest cars. I can name on one finger how many were in the “Beer City”. ONCE in a great while, you’d see one, clearly someone from Chicago where a dealer may have been. I don’t recall any Citroen dealers nearby. I’m odd enough, and have had enough “odd” vehicles, I could easily see me in this. You can drive them on 3 wheels, you know. So many unconventional controls and mechanics, a Gremlin, it ain’t. Still, as complicated as it appears to be, I think they are very reliable. This is for the person that has several. I doubt anyone in MY neighborhood would say, “hey, let’s get that Citroen”,,
I remember watching the great Rhodesian race car driver, John Love, drive one of these ID/DS Citroens very fast around the Belvedere race track in Salisbury (Harare) back in about 1956/7 with one rear wheel removed. Didn’t seem to make much difference to the handling of the car. Also read a report in the Rhodesia Herald where one guy was driving at about 90 mph and when he opened the window the fibreglass roof disappeared!
Yea I like this one a lot. The seller pretty much summed it up correctly. This car has the best attributes of both the early and later design changes. I would imagine the next time the hydraulic system is overhauled maybe change over to LHM? Might mean more than replacing seals on every component I don’t know. Or maybe best to flush the system every year to keep corrosion at bay. Something like this car is definitely in my plans for a future project.
If you switch fluids, you are changing all the seals, yes. I would think regular maintenance would go far. One thing about the accumulators – when the car rises and falls, they fill and empty, so they have a tendency to suck in condensation and contaminants, it’s a bit more active than just minding the hygroscopic fluid in your brake system. An annual flush might be overkill but every couple years, definitely in the plan.
I’ve seen this car or a similar ibe here on Portland. I’d seriously loon for rust because of climate and switch over as you say . I’ve seen maybe 5 DS and 3 2 CV’ S here. In 36 yearsc
I was in Crescent City,CA,& saw a Black one of these
driving through town.I noticed that it had a flat tire.When I
got the driver to stop,I asked her if she knew she had a flat.
She didn’t.
I was in my MGB GT,& had a jack that worked,& changed
her flat tire.Later,I remembered that you could raise the suspension
up to do a tire change.
Ironicly,she had just come from the tire shop.
You still need a jack, or a prop of some sort; lift to full height, insert prop, drop a stage, wheel lifts.
Thanks I was just going off of what I had read about
that.
I started to leave a comment, but decided it might not be in good taste, but it had something to do with misreading part of the name….. shame on me… but it does describe my opinion of most Cits…. if the moderator wants to censor, I don’t blame him/her… lol
Compare a 2CV with the blue Lincoln; you can carry a cable drum or a roll-cab in a 2CV with a couple of minutes’ work. The blue Lincoln is what the rest of the world perceives as “American cars”; too big and too ungainly.
I’d drive that blue Lincoln with pride. If it was a choice between this goofy looking thing.
I own a similar car. They are great cars. They rust like no other though. Mine is a ’66 DS21 Pallas – It’s great in the right driving environment – which does not include snow. They are front wheel drive – which is usually great in the snow, but here the wheels are very far forward, and there is not much weight on them. Not good in the snow. You can drive on 3 wheels, and I’ve done it – but it pretty much means you are all the way up on the bump stops – and that means no shock absorption – which is not pleasant. Still under normal driving, very smooth ride, and if you’re running out of places to stay, the seats fold back and more or less make a full sized bed.
I disagree with your comment about driving in the snow. I had a 1970 wagon back in 1978. living in NH I had driven many different cars in the snow. My DS21 was the best winter car I ever had. Drove through the Blizzard of ’78 without snow tires and I don’t think a tank could have gone any better in those conditions. I attributed it to the FWD and tall skinny tires. Had a great heater too.
Where near Portland are you? My wife’s family grew up in Laurel and had a big dairy farm. BTW, do any of you know anyone who suffers from severe depression? I have it really bad and none of the medication they’ve tried is working. I’m getting to the end of my rope. Thanks Ken
@Ken Vrana Ken, wish I could help….Thanks for being brave enough to share….hang in there… all us “car buddies” are behind you. -Doug
Ken, go see your doctor right now and tell them what’s going on. They can recommend simple treatment or that you see a specialist. No big deal, except it will definitely cure your depression and improve your life dramatically. Do It!
Well Ken, I don’t know whether you are serious in your comment, but maybe that DS could be the answer…?
I’ve seen this car or a similar ibe here on Portland. I’d seriously loon for rust because of climate and switch over as you say . I’ve seen maybe 5 DS and 3 2 CV’ S here. In 36 years. I really deal with depression/ ptsd and probably CTE …I have not tried any meds . As far as what’s worked , exercise, mental discipline…..I’ve had almost no therapy either but I’m fairly intelligent and other people have shared with me I know I’m FAR from alone. That helped me. Good luck
We’re all entitled to our opinions. Ever since I saw one of these way back when I was a little kid, I thought this was the ugliest abomination on four wheels! Even the steering wheel makes me a little queasy! Sorry folks, if you like them, more power to you. Yeccch!
Buying this project is just the beginning, and for a while you will have to keep the shiny restored goal in sight. Parts are available, and there’s an active Citroen community in the U.S. The experience will yield a wonderful and almost unique car to enjoy, and over time its value should only increase. In the 1980s I restored a car for way more than it was worth then, but for 30-plus years I’ve had it to enjoy, and now it’s worth triple what I spent.
Go for it buddy, Citroën DS 21 Pallas has been called a Super sports car – in Africa it put up credible performances in the Safari Rally – Kenya.
Hydraulic suspension ? This was designed to travel the French country-roads which are made of bricks ! You can hardly feel an humps – a friend’s dad had one & long trips to the wild – were a lot of fun. The envious looks of the Mercedes (rich guys) as we glided passed them says it all.
Ask Jay Leno – he recently featured his on TV , check it out & hurry before someone discovers this gem !
One crowd-puller wherever you go ?
Flip the switch : raise the DS by 8″ as you drive : when you park at the club : lower it by 12″ ! !
When you start to move off – it raises to regular height ! !
I’ve owned a DS 20 in Capetown south Africa by the name of “Bridgette”.. She still has only 70 k miles on her. No suspension problems. I use “Green Fluid”.
It has a 5 speed and cruses along at 70 mph easily at low rpm.
IN the US I also own 2, 1962 and 64 wagons which have not run for years and in need of restoration. Hope I will still be around.
I fell in love with the DS when they first came out in 1955. Still love’ em.
I owned a 1971 DS 21 Pallas when i was a college student in the mid 70’s. All I can say is, of the 45 or so cars I have owned over the years this is the one I wish I could get back. Simply amazing automobiles. Nuff said.
Well, it seems, since being featured here on BF the price has gone up! It is at $12,500 now…. What do you all think of that?