1966 Citroën DS21 Décapotable

Coachwork by Henri Chapron Registration no. not UK registered Chassis no. 4350094

Footnotes

Just as it had done 21 years previously with the revolutionary 'Traction Avant', Citroën stunned the world again in 1955 with the launch of the strikingly styled 'DS'. Beneath the shark-like newcomer's aerodynamically efficient, low-drag bodyshell there was all-independent, self-levelling, hydro-pneumatic suspension; plus power-operated brakes, clutch and steering. No European car would match the DS's ride quality for several years, the fundamental soundness of Citroën's ahead-of-its-time hydro-pneumatic suspension being demonstrated by its survival in its present-day top-of-the-range models. The DS's original 1,911cc, overhead-valve, long-stroke engine was replaced in 1966 by a short-stroke 1,985cc unit, also available in 2,175cc and 2,347cc versions, while other DS developments included swivelling headlights, fuel injection and a five-speed gearbox.

Other models offered alongside the original DS were the ID (a simplified, cheaper version), the cavernous Safari estate and the two-door Décapotable (convertible), the latter boasting coachwork by Henri Chapron. (Chapron's first convertibles had been produced independently of Citroën, but the factory eventually gave the project its blessing). Citroën's Décapotables were built on the longer, stronger chassis of the ID Break (Estate) but the model was never produced in England, where Citroën's right-hand drive cars were assembled at its Slough factory, and thus was never officially offered with right-hand drive. In total, 1,365 usine (factory) convertibles were made with either the DS19 or DS21 engine between 1960 and 1971, while Chapron built a further 389 of his own, the last in 1973.

The fact that Chapron operated independently of Citroën enabled him to build cars to individual customer order. Finished in blue with tan leather interior and equipped with the semi-automatic, column-change gearbox, this rare, right-hand drive DS21 Décapotable is understood to be one such example.

This car's history is not known prior to 1986 when it was purchased by the preceding owner's then employer, the advertising agency J Walter Thompson. Sold to the preceding owner circa 1989, it remained in his hands for the next 18 years, looked after by recognised Citroën specialists Classic Restorations between 1986 and 2002, and subsequently by Paris Retro. Benefiting from body and engine refurbishment undertaken by the latter at a cost of circa £10,000 in 2004, the car had not been used subsequently when it was offered for sale at Bonhams' RAF Museum, Hendon auction in April 2007 (Lot 768). Purchased there by the current vendor, the car has been serviced regularly, used sparingly, and kept in dry storage since acquisition. Sundry servicing invoices are on file. Permanently exported from the UK, where it was registered as 'SYE 295F', this beautiful classic Citroën is currently registered in the Republic of Ireland.