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Iconic Citroën DS to celebrate its 60th birthday at the London Classic Car Show (January 8-11).
The DS (pronounced Déesse, the French word for Goddess) was launched at the 1955 Paris Motor Show where its avant-garde design stunned show goers.
At a time when most cars were rear-wheel drive and running on old-fashioned ‘cart springs’, the DS19’s futuristic specification featured front-wheel drive, hydropneumatic self levelling suspension, a semi-automatic gearbox and even a fibreglass roof to lower the centre of gravity.
The homage to the DS and its sibling the ID (pronounced Idée, French for Idea) at the show being staged at the ExCeL International Exhibition Centre in London’s Docklands, will include a number of different examples including the Break or Safari estate car and the highly collectable convertible or décapotable.
Two classic DS models will be on display on the DS show stand – a 1972 DS21 Prestige and an exceptionally rare 1966 DS21 Décapotable with coachwork by Henri Chapron.
In addition to the static display, DS models will also make a number of star appearances on ‘The Grand Avenue’ – a unique motoring catwalk allowing the most iconic cars to be fired up and driven around the show.
The DS cars will be a 1967 Citroën ID21 Safari, a 1972 DS Group V rally prototype; a 1961 ID19 and the DS 5 used by President Hollande at his inauguration.
And bringing the story right up to date, the London Classic Car Show marks the UK debut of the new, stand-alone DS brand. The separation of Citroën and DS was announced on 1 June and the two marques exhibited side by side as two distinct brands for the first time in Europe at October’s Paris Motor Show.
The award-winning DS 3 – shown in Ultra Prestige form – and a flagship DS 5 Hybrid4 will represent the current range.
