Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 181
1961 Citroën DS19 Cabriolet "Le Caddy" Coachwork by Henri Chapron Chassis no. 4219414
Estimate: €180,000 - €250,000
Lot 181
The 1961 Paris Salon de l'Automobile
1961 Citroën DS19 Cabriolet "Le Caddy"
1961 Citroën DS19 Cabriolet "Le Caddy"
1961 Citroën DS19 Cabriolet "Le Caddy"
Coachwork by Henri Chapron
Chassis no. 4219414
Coachwork by Henri Chapron
Chassis no. 4219414
Body no. 7459
• Rare Chapron-built Cabriolet
• One of only 28 built
• Built in 1961 to 1962 specification
• Present ownership since circa 2011
• Offered with Chapron certificate
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'. The newcomer's startling appearance had been determined by the requirements of aerodynamic efficiency, while beneath the shark-like, 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, and the fundamental soundness of Citroën's ahead-of-its-time hydro-pneumatic suspension is demonstrated by its survival in top-of-the-range models until relatively recently.
Other models offered alongside the original DS were the ID (a simplified, cheaper version), the cavernous Safari estate and the two-door Décapotable (convertible). One of the most stylish cars of the 1960s, the latter was the creation of that most celebrated Parisian coachbuilder, Henri Chapron, who called his first such model 'La Croisette'. A native of Nouan-le-Fuzelier in the Sologne region of France, Henri Chapron founded his coachbuilding company in 1919 at Levallois-Perret, Paris. Unlike so many fashionable French coachbuilders, Chapron carried none of the mental baggage that came from having graduated to cars from building horse-drawn carriages; consequently, his work had a freshness and innate sense of proportion that was well suited to chassis of quality.
Chapron's interpretations of the Citroën DS and ID were quite different from the regular production versions. Chapron added fins to the rear wings as early as 1965 and launched his own version of an upmarket DS at the Porte de Versailles Salon de l'Auto in October 1964 using the name 'Majesty'. At first, Chapron's décapotable conversion was not approved by Citroën, forcing him to buy complete cars rather than rolling chassis, but eventually the factory relented and went on to produce its own usine version on the longer chassis of the ID Break (estate) model.
Chapron continued to build his own Le Caddy and Palm Beach cabriolets together with various limousines and coupés. Chapron's second take on a soft-top DS, Le Caddy first appeared in 1959 and represented a considerable improvement over La Croisette. Whereas the latter had used saloon-type rear wings, necessitating a covering strip for the join between the wing and the redundant rear 'door' panel, Le Caddy used a much neater one-piece wing. The saloon's front doors were used until 1960 when longer ones were adopted, resulting in a further improvement in the design's proportions. Only 28 examples of the Le Caddy cabriolet were built between 1959 and 1968. Needless to say, they are all highly desirable.
In August 1961 this DS19 was despatched by Citroën to Henri Chapron for it to be modified into a 'Le Caddy' convertible to model-year 1962 specification, and the completed car was duly exhibited at the 48th Paris Auto Show from Thursday 5th to Sunday 15th August 1961. According to the Chapron certificate on file, this chassis was delivered to Henri Chapron, 114-116 rue Aristide Briand, on 4th August 1961.
When it arrived at the factory in Levallois-Perret, the car was given the Chapron number '7459 '.
This car is the 10th 'Le Caddy' cabriolet out of the 28 built by Henri Chapron. The car was originally painted in 'Or Longchamp' ('16288') and had a 'Sweet Calf Peggy' interior, black soft-top and soft-top cover in 'Sweet Calf Peggy', same as the interior. After the Paris Auto Show, the car was delivered to a Mr Ricard who lived in Paris. In accordance with his order, the car came with a hardtop, 'Radiomatic' radio, and a mirror on each of the two front wings. (The hardtop is no longer with the car).
Fully restored some time ago, the DS is now presented in the Chapron colour 'Bleu Royal', while the interior is trimmed in natural leather. The current vendor purchased the car around 12 years ago. Sold with a French Carte Grise de Collection and a Chapron certificate, this stylish Le Caddy represents a wonderful opportunity to own a superb example of Citroën's and Chapron's 20th Century motoring icon.
• Rare Chapron-built Cabriolet
• One of only 28 built
• Built in 1961 to 1962 specification
• Present ownership since circa 2011
• Offered with Chapron certificate
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'. The newcomer's startling appearance had been determined by the requirements of aerodynamic efficiency, while beneath the shark-like, 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, and the fundamental soundness of Citroën's ahead-of-its-time hydro-pneumatic suspension is demonstrated by its survival in top-of-the-range models until relatively recently.
Other models offered alongside the original DS were the ID (a simplified, cheaper version), the cavernous Safari estate and the two-door Décapotable (convertible). One of the most stylish cars of the 1960s, the latter was the creation of that most celebrated Parisian coachbuilder, Henri Chapron, who called his first such model 'La Croisette'. A native of Nouan-le-Fuzelier in the Sologne region of France, Henri Chapron founded his coachbuilding company in 1919 at Levallois-Perret, Paris. Unlike so many fashionable French coachbuilders, Chapron carried none of the mental baggage that came from having graduated to cars from building horse-drawn carriages; consequently, his work had a freshness and innate sense of proportion that was well suited to chassis of quality.
Chapron's interpretations of the Citroën DS and ID were quite different from the regular production versions. Chapron added fins to the rear wings as early as 1965 and launched his own version of an upmarket DS at the Porte de Versailles Salon de l'Auto in October 1964 using the name 'Majesty'. At first, Chapron's décapotable conversion was not approved by Citroën, forcing him to buy complete cars rather than rolling chassis, but eventually the factory relented and went on to produce its own usine version on the longer chassis of the ID Break (estate) model.
Chapron continued to build his own Le Caddy and Palm Beach cabriolets together with various limousines and coupés. Chapron's second take on a soft-top DS, Le Caddy first appeared in 1959 and represented a considerable improvement over La Croisette. Whereas the latter had used saloon-type rear wings, necessitating a covering strip for the join between the wing and the redundant rear 'door' panel, Le Caddy used a much neater one-piece wing. The saloon's front doors were used until 1960 when longer ones were adopted, resulting in a further improvement in the design's proportions. Only 28 examples of the Le Caddy cabriolet were built between 1959 and 1968. Needless to say, they are all highly desirable.
In August 1961 this DS19 was despatched by Citroën to Henri Chapron for it to be modified into a 'Le Caddy' convertible to model-year 1962 specification, and the completed car was duly exhibited at the 48th Paris Auto Show from Thursday 5th to Sunday 15th August 1961. According to the Chapron certificate on file, this chassis was delivered to Henri Chapron, 114-116 rue Aristide Briand, on 4th August 1961.
When it arrived at the factory in Levallois-Perret, the car was given the Chapron number '7459 '.
This car is the 10th 'Le Caddy' cabriolet out of the 28 built by Henri Chapron. The car was originally painted in 'Or Longchamp' ('16288') and had a 'Sweet Calf Peggy' interior, black soft-top and soft-top cover in 'Sweet Calf Peggy', same as the interior. After the Paris Auto Show, the car was delivered to a Mr Ricard who lived in Paris. In accordance with his order, the car came with a hardtop, 'Radiomatic' radio, and a mirror on each of the two front wings. (The hardtop is no longer with the car).
Fully restored some time ago, the DS is now presented in the Chapron colour 'Bleu Royal', while the interior is trimmed in natural leather. The current vendor purchased the car around 12 years ago. Sold with a French Carte Grise de Collection and a Chapron certificate, this stylish Le Caddy represents a wonderful opportunity to own a superb example of Citroën's and Chapron's 20th Century motoring icon.
Saleroom notices
Please note that this car is sold with a valid FFVE document and that the original French carte grise de collection will be sent to the buyer after the auction.
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