1955-2015: DS CELEBRATES ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY AT RÉTROMOBILE


In its first year as a brand in its own right, DS will be at the 40th Rétromobile show in Paris next week, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the original 1955 DS. From 4 to 8 February 2015, car lovers can enjoy a stroll around the DS area at the Parisian Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre for an enthralling look back at the legendary DS.

The DS exhibition, organised with support from the Amicales Citroën* associations along with DS and SM** enthusiasts' clubs, will include five prestige period models, plus one of the latest arrivals for the DS brand, DS 3 Cabrio, in Ultra Prestige form.

The Rétromobile show in Paris is a major international fixture on the vintage car calendar. The event celebrates its 40th anniversary as the original DS marks 60 years since its début appearance at the 1955 Paris Motor Show.


In its first year as a brand in its own right, DS has an area at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre, providing an enthralling look back at the legend that is DS. The DS exhibition, organised with invaluable support from Citroën enthusiasts' clubs, will feature five period models plus one of the latest arrivals in the DS brand line-up, DS 3 Cabrio Ultra Prestige.

The period cars on show will provide visitors with an insight into the exceptional heritage that inspires today's DS brand in its quest to offer customers the very best in design, technology, comfort, driving experience, quality materials and outstanding attention to detail.

The stars of the show are:

DS 19 from 1959, in its original configuration, with a grey-rosé body, aubergine roof, and royal blue interior. This model, adapted for export to Germany, features an engine temperature gauge on the dashboard plus an FM/LW radio. The three-main-bearing engine is coupled with a four-speed gearbox with hydraulic control.
DS 21 Cabriolet from 1968, with a hydraulic-control gearbox. The superb finish on this exceptionally elegant model extends to red leather upholstery, contrasting with the Carrare white body.
DS 20 Pallas from 1973, a top-end luxury model featuring tobacco leather upholstery, beige Tholonet bodywork, tinted windows and even a sunroof. The 1985 cm3 engine is mated to a hydraulically controlled four-speed synchromesh gearbox.
SM Coupé from 1971, previously owned by King Hassan II of Morocco. This model features metallic beige paintwork, special registration plates, natural leather upholstery, air conditioning, a Continental Edison Hi-Fi radio specific to this model, tinted windows and fog lamps. The engine is a Maserati V6.
SM Coupé from 1972, a model with a Scarabée brown body and light brown upholstery. In addition to the self-levelling hydraulic suspension, similar to that on the DS, this car also boasts Citroën's innovative DIRAVI ‘power-assisted return’ steering, for exceptional driveability.
Alongside these iconic cars, visitors will also be able to admire the DS 3 Cabrio Ultra Prestige on the show stand.

Rétromobile opens to the public on Wednesday 4 February 2015, with the DS showroom in Hall 1.

– Available from Veloce –

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Citroën DS – Design Icon by Malcolm Bobbitt

In-depth look at Citroen's idiosyncratic DS, for fifty years a design icon and one of the world's most controversial, radical, idiosyncratic and technically advanced motorcars.

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Citroén DS & ID - The Essential Buyer's Guide by Rudy Heilig

Guides collectors, restorers and enthusiasts through the various production changes and problem areas that occur between the various models, to make sure that the restoration or prospective purchase is correct, original, and legitimate. This book is an essential reference tool that can be used when buying, selling, repairing or restoring the various D-models manufactured between 1966 and 1975. One hundred colour photos, useful appendices and expert advice mean that this book could save you thousands! More info.

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