By Rosie Ogden
To some it is the most beautiful car of all time, a ‘Goddess.’ To others, it was the most technically advanced car of its era, a revolutionary machine that was years ahead of its time.
Today, almost 60 years after its birth, the Citroën DS still has the ability to turn heads like few other classic cars.
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. Some 750 orders were taken in the first 45 minutes of the show opening and by the end of the first day that total had risen to an incredible 12,000. By the end of the show the orders stood at almost 80,000.
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, hydro-pneumatic self levelling suspension, a semi-automatic gearbox and even a fibreglass roof to lower the centre of gravity.
To celebrate the diamond anniversary of the car that, according to French philosopher Roland Barthes, looked as if it had ‘fallen to earth’, the DS will be enjoying several significant birthday parties during 2015. These special celebrations will kick off when the original DS takes centre stage at the inaugural London Classic Car Show in January.
The homage to the DS and its sibling the ID (pronounced Idée, French for Idea) will include a number of different examples including the Brake or Safari estate car and the highly collectable convertible or décapotable.
The ID was introduced in 1957, with a choice of two versions: Standard (63 bhp, 4,000 rpm and 130kph) and Luxury (66 bhp, 4,500 rpm and 135kph). The last DS, a 23 Pallas with Delta Blue bodywork and electronic injection, was built in Paris in April 1975.
And, bringing the story right up to date, the London Classic Car Show will also mark the UK debut of the new, stand-alone DS brand. The separation of Citroën and DS was announced on 1st June and the two marques were exhibited side by side as two distinct brands for the first time in Europe at this month’s Paris Motor Show. The aim of DS is to return the French automotive industry to the ranks of ‘premium’ carmakers – which could mean some future classics appear along the way.
Held at ExCeL in London’s Docklands from 8-11 January 2015, the London Classic Car Show will kick-start the New Year with “a feast of mouth-watering and rare classic cars”, many of which will be driven up and down The Grand Avenue, a runway driving through the heart of the show.
While other car shows are static affairs, the organisers promise that, at the London Classic Car Show, the exhibits will be “brought to life”.
Promised exhibits include a number of V12-engined Ferraris, V8 American muscle cars and historic racing cars.
As well as special features from show curators TV chef James Martin and Top Gear’s James May, the show will be running an investors’ forum explaining how a well-chosen classic car could be a much better investment than stocks and shares – as well as being much more fun.
Tickets are available from the show website – www.thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk
