1967 CITROEN DS 21 PALLAS

Car from the Citro-Museum
Three previous owners
Impeccable condition

Registration: Normal series French registration certificate
Chassis n°: 4381576

The work of an exceptionally talented team, the DS Citroën had the difficult task in 1955 of following on from the Traction Avant model. The public was astounded by the unprecedented and highly modernistic shape, which was the triumphant masterpiece of Flaminio Bertoni. But almost equal surprise was created by the many technical innovations, including amongst others hydropneumatic suspension, high ratio power steering, high pressure assisted disc brakes and semi-automatic gearbox.
A career spanning twenty years and encompassing a range of versions from elegant dropheads to estate car bodies also included motorsports successes such as outright victory in the 1958 Monte-Carlo Rally.
A real icon and a symbol of a whole era of brilliant French engineering achievement, the DS is one of the most sought after classic cars in the world. Enthusiasts in such places as California and Australia still drive these cars daily, providing a tribute to the model's robustness and ease of use.

The DS 21 which we are offering comes from the 1967 model-year, which is the generation most sought after by knowledgeable Citroën enthusiasts, because it is the epitome of the DS style before its facelift with 4 headlights under fairings. This modelyear benefitted from the introduction of the “green fluid” hydraulic system, reputed to be more reliable than the previous one and less prone to leaks, while retaining the front end shape of the first versions. This particular vehicle has rare factory options such as Havana leather upholstery, front seat belts, a second air circulation booster and adjustment of the height of the front seats. The car was sold new in December 1966 by the Triboul garage in Alençon in the Orne département and the invoice for 19 747,51 francs is in the accompanying file.
Dr M, the first owner, kept the car from 1967 to 2006, when she changed hands and changed region, entering a collection near Lyon. Mechanical work was undertaken that year by the Citroën Ecully garage, the leading specialist restoring classic Citroëns.
The then owner, Mr C, commissioned a complete overhaul of the engine and drive train. The invoice, including the renewal of the electrical wiring, amounted to 12 000 €. He also had the hydraulic system renewed at a cost of more than 4000 €. At the end of 2016 the car was bought by Mr
Fradet, the owner of the largest collection of Citroëns in the world and curator of his own museum, the Citro-Museum. At that time this car had covered slightly more than 100 000 km and had always been lovingly cared for and maintained by its previous owners. It was exhibited in his museum, but as he already had other 1967 models, he decided to part with it on order to make room for other acquisitions. A great deal of work was undertaken for Mr Fradet, in order to make the car perfect and above all to return it to its exact factory specification.
To road test an as-new DS such as this one is an emotional experience. The sun was shining on the mountain roads of the Alps in Haute-Provence and the DS made light work of the bends. The perfectly adjusted gearbox works just as well as modern sequential boxes. The brakes are efficient and show no sign of fade under hard use.
The engine is vigorous and has plenty of torque. No unwanted noises or other defects disturbed our carefree progress and the DS sailed round the hairpins with only fingertip control. What astonishingly modern behaviour for a model created in 1955! The paintwork gleams and the superb original upholstery has the inimitable smell of well kept old leather. She is therefore more than ready to take to the road for new adventures and will above all be the delight of a connoisseur looking for authenticity and perfection.