Citroën’s introduction of the Traction Avant in 1934 was bold enough, but the company sealed its reputation as an innovator when it launched the DS in 1955. Over its twenty year production, more than 1.4 million versions of the DS and its downmarket sibling, the ID, were sold. With its space-age styling, roomy interior, an all-new hydropneumatic suspension, a practical four-cylinder derived from the Traction Avant, and a variety of trim levels, the new Citroën found a home with families, government officials, commuters – and now, it’s finding favor with enthusiasts. This 1972 Citroën is advertised on craigslist for $14,000; it is badged as a DS20, but the seller believes it’s a D Super. We’ll take a look at the differences below… Thanks to Rocco B. for finding this swanky French sedan for us in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Nothing is much more complicated than trying to understand all the variants of the DS/ID family. For instance, a D Super is actually an ID, not a DS. The D Super5 is an ID as well, but may have DS21 stamped on the chassis plate, reminding the owner that it carries the larger engine of the DS21. But the primary difference between the two comes down to which systems are powered by fluid, most specifically, whether the brake system is the complex dual circuit brake system integrated with the car’s suspension and at least one separate fluid accumulator, or a more conventional power brake system. If it’s the first, it’s a DS, and the brakes are activated by a “mushroom” pedal on the floor. This car has conventional pedals, a hint that our seller is right – it’s probably a D Super. By 1968, the D Super was fitted with a 1985 cc engine; later the larger 2175 cc from the DS21 became an option. Neither was very powerful, restraining sales in the US where our long highways invite high-speed cruising. IDs still had the fantastic hydropneumatic suspension featured in the higher-spec DS, but the system was simpler, since it didn’t also serve the steering, transmission and brakes. The sight of a Citroën gently rising on its suspension when the engine is started, then settling once turned off is a bit magical. This car has a five-speed manual gearbox, and it’s also a Euro-delivery model, with directional headlamps. These turn with the steering wheel, which seems to make all the sense in the world – but the US indirectly banned this technology in 1967.
The ID is characterized by basic trim and upholstery, whereas the DS could be clothed in leather or velour. Other than wrinkled door cards, this car is exceptionally clean. The three-gauge dash was introduced in 1969; earlier IDs had a plain dash with a horizontal multifunction gauge. The single-spoke steering wheel is another quirky hallmark of Citroën cars. The underside of this car is spiffy; this shot shows one of the suspension accumulators. The trunk carpet is torn by the lid channel, but otherwise, there’s not much to complain about in here either.
To his credit, André Citroën knew how to attract expertise to put his new models in the hands of the public. Flaminio Bertoni, an Italian who was once a sculptor, designed the DS/ID; André Lefèbvre, a French aviation engineer and race car driver, engineered much of the car; and Paul Magès, an undereducated maintenance man, invented its hydropneumatic suspension. Note the chevrons on the trunk lid: these are always silver on the ID, and gold on the DS. This rear view also shows off the cool lamps incorporated into the drip rail trim and the funky inset rear glass – a design idiom repeated and emphasized when the Ami was introduced in 1961. No doubt, these Citroëns radiate eccentric charm; have you ever owned a DS or ID? What did you think of it?
Nice find. I have always liked these cars.Thank you, Rocco. B.
Cheers 🍻 Tim!
As a former DS owner, I’d miss the hydraulic assistance for shifting, steering and brakes. Granted, the ID would likely be easier to maintain, but that raft of pumps, regulators, spheres, champignon on the floor and piping lent the top-line Cits a certain magic.
Aside from the simplicity of the ID, the five-speed transaxle is a definite bonus. Citroen never gave that the “Citromatic” treatment, alas. Michelle says these cars were “not very powerful,” which is true, but one thing they could do was cruise smoothly at extra-legal speeds. Thank aerodynamics for that….
This one appears clean enough that I’d seriously consider doing without the extra hydraulic goodies, though if I’d had $14K to spend on mine, it might have been almost as nice!
Well I can tell you that I owned a DS21 Pallas for 15 years. In that time I rebuilt everything. These cars love the highway and have no problems cruising at 100 mph and get over 20 mpg doing it. Mine was a citromatic 4 speed that you need to shift, but it clutches for you. Excellent cars, in a weird kinda French way. Very comfortable interiors also with big wide seats and thick foam under the carpets.
When I was Pres of the ChicagoCit club in late ’60s, a member had his Dr. prescribe a Cit for his back problems – problem solved!
My Dad purchased a used 1960 ID19 in 1964, From Ford dealer in Takoma Park,Md. It was Black with Blue interior. I think Dad owned it maybe 3 years. I remember that amazing comfortable ride. I was too young to drive it. The biggest drawback for owning the car was where to get it serviced. Dad found a mechanic about 10 miles from home. Parts were expensive. After the Citroen Dad stayed with Volkswagen’s.
My Dad purchased a used 1960 ID19 in 1964, From Ford dealer in Takoma Park,Md. It was Black with Blue interior. I think Dad owned it maybe 3 years. I remember that amazing comfortable ride. I was too young to drive it. The biggest drawback for owning the car was where to get it serviced. Dad found a mechanic about 10 miles from home. Parts were expensive. After the Citroen Dad stayed with Volkswagen’s.
These have plenty of power to comfortably cruise at 80 mph all day and the magic carpet ride is unmatched by anything. They’re fantastic cars. Surprisingly reliable and easy to maintain (with good parts availability in the US) once you understand the Citroën mindset. Rust is the main concern, but this one looks remarkably solid. The 5-speed is rare and a real plus. Honestly, this car seems undervalued. If I didn’t already have three, I’d be calling the seller right now.
Most Cits are crankiing 4000 rpm at 80 & the shorter stroke 21 engine is noisy compared to the strides in soundproofing made by the major mfrs in near 60 yrs! That’s where the 5 speed is nice in dropping the revs so its quieter at 80 up. But 80 is a sweet spot in most of them.
My first was a ’59 ID19 I drove for 4 yrs from Salt Lake to near LA for college – 12-13 hrs in that beautifly comfortable saddle. Even tho only 65 hp, the car defied normal aerodynamics – with pedal to floor, it would slowly climb up to 90 on the flat and be very quiet at that speed for hrs on end!
Leaving SL at midnight one trip, one of my costudents was at the wheel in Nevada when I woke up in front, checked the speedo and she was happily loping along at 90, loving every minute of it!
Another story: Two friends in SL who had a D wagon were driving it from SL to Iowa. As the one woke up in front, the driver asked him how fast he thought they were going. The passenger guessed 70. The driver said 100. Nuff said.
In the late 60’s and into the early 70’s I had a girlfriend with an ID19, her father drove a DS21 Pallas. These were both incredible vehicles, so odd, yet so efficiently practical. The lifting mechanism allowed a person to traverse a really badly rutted dirt road after comfortably cruising at quite adequate top speed on the highway. And then the seats all folded down inside. Quite the getaway vehicle, and then there’s the story of De Gaulle managing to escape an assassin’s attempt with the Citroen driving away on only three wheels.
I always thought these were cool until I had to work on one. Not having any experience OR a manual was really tough. The last thing I did on the car was a front brake job that included new front rotors. All my repairs worked well, but after the brake job, I requested that the owner find a different repair shop.
I appreciate the engineering, the novel/unconventional thought proceses and the aerodynamics of the car. I just don’t desire to own one.
The five-speed is unusual, and this car seems complete and looks solid underneath. I have alerted my Citroen pals in Colorado!
This is a total bucket-list car for me. I might even swap my Riviera for one.
A similar car, in project form, just sold on BaT. Check it out, it was flipped on their site by a well-known car guy.
Rex, for me, just having an opportunity to ride in or drive one of these is on my bucket list for sure. I’d love to try out that 5 speed on the column. I’d really like to experience their suspension systems too.
Driveinstile, that 5-speed on the column sounds pretty crowded when you add in reverse.
My ’60 Mercedes-Benz 180 had a 4-on-the-column, which I thought was pretty cool. But sometimes it was difficult to find 1st gear, which was towards the driver and up….reverse was also towards the driver and up, but pull in as usual.
I drove it for a few days like a standard 3-on-the-tree before I realized it was a 4-speed. D’oh!
Bon Jour,
I am a “Citroholic” since age 15 when I saw the first DS 19’s in Oxnard Ca. I now own 9 Cits: An SM, 2 DS 19 wagons, 2 Mehari’s, 2 CX, in Ca.; In South Africa, a DS20 ( my transport when i am there with a name of “Bridgette”) and a 1946 Lite 15 (Margarite).
They are great cars. I used to commute 80 miles a day with My Mehari at 60 mph ( until hills) with the chain across door as my seatbelt.
Have no fear, they are really well designed and built cars. As with any older cars, mechanics are hard to find. All young mechanics want to do is “plug it in”. In Ca., I am in the process of training young mechanics at a shop in Filmore Ca. In Capetown, DS Factory, who restores DS’s for dealer in the UK, just worked on mine (6- 18 year old young men on my car). Runs perfectly.
This looks like a very nice car. My DS 20 has a 5 speed from a Palais. It cruises in the 70’s with no problem. I display her at the George Auto Show in SA every January (Summer, down there).
Au Revior!
Roy
Just a comment, by the time the DS was launched, André Citroën has been dead for a while, so all the merit was for the Michelin brothers, ahí owned the majority of Citroen after bankrupcy in mid ‘30s.
Beautiful looking car. I’ve always been interested in Citroën cars. My favourites have always been the DS/ID and the CX. I consider it a shame that Citroën never sold well here in the USA.
Rex, the 5 speed column shifter is simple – 5th is toward dash & up – opposite reverse – very easy learning. very little added details to make a straightforward system. And more relaxing cruising at high speed.
Citroen DSs aren’t cars – they’re EVENTS – everywhere they show up. Always draw a crowd of wannabe owners and folks who’ve had some experience with them.
I want it.
I’ve emailed the seller.
My Nephew is in southern CO. He’s about 20-minutes away.
Just need a shipper
Burt Reynolds stole and drove his girlfriend’s in the longest yard! Long before the TA in Smokey and the Bandit!