There are a few automakers which don’t follow the grain and just do their own thing. Citroen is a very good example of this, always shunning traditional design conventions and how a car should operate and look. Sometimes they get it wrong, but at times, they just get it so right – the Citroen DS is an epic example of that. Mixing cutting-edge technology for the time as well as a beautiful and timeless body, the DS has rocketed in popularity over the past few years. The DS was sold in the US, and 1972 was the last year they sold there meaning this is a late model. Fancy owning your own DS? Then head over to eBay here, where the car is located in Portland, Oregon with a buy-it-now price of $16,000 and just over a day left.
The Citroen was innovative for a number of features on the car – the first being the suspension which was self-levelling. Now this hydraulic system was also responsible for the clutch and transmission, so finding a car with a working pneumatics system is key. There are plenty of spares available though and a healthy environment for spares in Europe as they continue to support these cars across the world. Looking at the photos, the car comes in good working order, although slightly scruffy in parts so I imagine this will need a light recomissioning.
The interior looks a bit scruffier with some rust on the indicator stalk, mould on the seatbelts and general dust and dirt. The car looks like it may have been kept in a humid environment for a while, so it would be worth checking the underneath for any rust issues. The boot is showing signs of rust too, where the water drains out, but you have a huge trunk space thanks to the elongated body shape. The car is said to run and drive, having covered just 98,571 miles since new and is powered by its 4-cylinder engine which is ample power to waft around to your next car show.
I think these cars are set for a bright future – they are rare and interesting, plus not many of them are around the streets of the US. They offer something different to the next owner, but they will need to prepare for that light recommissioning at some point in the future. Would you be tempted to drive one of these French oddities to your next cars and coffee or is this just too quirky for you?
Hmmm….”just” 95,000 miles on a ’72 DS. Honestly, I love these cars and have always wanted to own one. In high school I was voted “most likely to waste money on old cars”, and that came true!
Quite the stark contrast from the American vehicles of that era. I remember one driven around the streets of Southside in Birmingham, AL back in the mid-late 70’s. The driver was an older lady with grey hair in a, drumroll please, French bun.
Somebody in my neighborhood back in the Bronx had one in the early 70’s. I always thought they were weird looking. Seeing a 70 GTO park in front of the DS and being a American muscle car guy. Yes they were weird looking. My father loves these because of hydraulic system the raised the car up and down. I am glad my father never bought one. I noticed there is room in the boot (trunk) for a spare tire. Never understood why put the spare tire in front of the radiator. Didn’t they had overheating problems? Good luck to the next owner and finding parts!!! 🐻🇺🇸
These are “bottom breathers” with the radiator intake tucked up under the bumper, where a shroud ducts air from there to the radiator, so the spare tire simply rests on top of that shroud where it’s also protected from radiator/engine heat behind it.
These have a front mid-engined layout, with the FWD transmission mounted in front of the engine, so there’s plenty of room under that low and sleek hoodline for the radiator and tire in front of the engine, which keeps the trunk unencumbered by any spare tire storage, and spacious with a flat load floor.
This seller has had this on the market for some time. Without searching I believe this was reviewed before on this site. I certainly have considered it being within a reasonable distance from where I live. I like the euro headlights which is much more desirable over the fixed US spec. If you look carefully you will see a conventional brake pedal which makes this a ID model and not a DS. It looks to have a collection of parts from the DS however. Not a bad thing and I would look this over carefully for rust that lurks beneath. Love it or hate it one of the most brilliant cars ever made.
Always a favorite from a favorite manufacturer. Only thing better is the Safari a local guy used to drive around in the ’90s. Beautiful.
I LOVE this old commercial…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7AijogHtRc
Wow. I never saw that commercial before. Thats just simply amazing that they could drive on 3 wheels. And suffer 2 blowouts on the same side and not lose control. And the self jacking feature with the suspension too. Then parking it next to a Rolls in the driveway lol. These were some cars. I always wanted to drive one.
Great South African video Bill. The pics of them driving on three wheels was at the Kyalami F1 race track outside Johannesburg and the TJ number plate shows that it was registered in the “T”ransvaal “J”ohannesburg. Also lekker (great) to hear the Afrikaans speaking commentator. I just wish South Africa would stage F1 again.
DS, GS, SM, XM, & some out the ’30s ! but, yes, I’m with Fred on the Safari. Great cars for looks, comfort or mechanical design. I hear these can go down the road on 3 wheels (the suspension hydraulics).
Thanks Eliot !
BTW: I see the H van in movies/TV sometimes when needed for “background”. Pretty kouwell~
Watch this clip provided by Bill Tebutt in an earlier comment and it will show you them driving on 3 wheels. When I lived in Salisbury, now Harare, Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, 1959-1964 the Citroen ID 19 came out and John Love, the race driver champion of the day drove one very fast around the Belvedere race track on only 3 wheels. Very impressive.
I have owned Peugeots and Renaults, but always thought these were a little too way out. I guess they could grow on you?
This is the same year and model that was used on the TV show “The Mentalist”
That was a great show and a great car.
Don’t forget to buy Deer whistles! This was the most aero dynamic car on the road back then. Deer could not hear this car coming.
There was a dealer in my town in upstate NY, years ago. One day (had to be in the 60s) there was a convention of these cars and their owners. Driving by them, it looked like an invasion from Mars.
I would like to know thr price for I have always wanted One.