Friday 1 May 2009

DS

I could never single out one car for 'best ever' design. But if I had to come up with a list of 20 or so the Citroën DS would be pretty high in the list. 

11 comments :

Virginia said...

WEll I like the learning the name of it, but you failed to tell us what the heck is wrong with it! Its tail is dragging the ground, W! It sort of reminds me of an old gray Packard we had when I was a wee girl. I loved that big old car!

I hate to admit it but I've enjoyed WWWW this week. Now I guess we'll have wheels from here to next year!
V

Lois said...

That's a great shot! It seems so low to the ground.

Halcyon said...

I love the DS! I am surprised they have them over here in North America - where do they get the parts to fix them? I mean, not like they really manufacture these parts anymore, but at least in France (or Europe) there are junked ones you could get stuff from!

Wayne said...

The DS had an innovative hydropneumatic suspension that allowed the driver to raise and lower the car. Once this car was started it would likely level out although they're getting old now so who knows.

Anonymous said...

I must agree with you - defo top 20! This one looks to in excellent shape.

The DS was so ahead of it's time. I believe there's talk of making a new retro version, a la the Mini and Beetle.

Virginia said...

Well I'm stumped about why anyone would want to rais e or lower the car, but I realize I"m no longer "mainstream". Thanks for the info, W!

Babzy.B said...

beautiful lines , we no longer see them ....

pierre l said...

The main reason for the raising and lowering is that when the car is running it is always at the same height (no matters how heavily loaded it is). After a few hours, the front would have gone down as well. The majority of the DSs we had in the UK died of rust unfortunately (including mine).

Kim said...

You are a man of VERY good tastes in steel :-).
Are you kidding me about the hydropneumatic suspension? Is THAT why these babies are so dang cool?

My husband's brother-in-law had a 2CV that my husband fell in love with (for it's simplicity and economy. . .sling seeats?--not my cup of tea), but give me this beauty. I think only the lines of the Jag are as elegant and look like they are in motion even when parked. I just watched "The Truth About Charlie," a Jonathan Demme remake of "Charade" filmed in Paris. On the flip side there was the entire original version of Charade, and a lovely DS makes a cameo appearance :-). I always expect Indpector Clouseau to emerge from one of these.
-Kim

NancyN said...

Hey Wayne - looks like you're enjoying the photo blog thing again - I'm enjoying your wheels and other perspectives - scrounging for photos is producing some fun things! Way to go

Anonymous said...

I had a friend who also took french, and whenever we saw the rare one around town, we'd shout, "See-trrrroy-en"