Classic Car Overview
Much as it had with the Traction Avant in the 1930s Citroen shocked the world yet again when it introduced the revolutionary DS to the public at the Paris Auto Salon in 1955. In creating the DS Citroen management pushed the engineering team and designers to think outside of standard conventions and turn the automobile industry on its head. With the extensive development required they risked the very existence of the company. When it appeared in Paris for the first time the world was taken aback at what Citroen created. At a time when the average American upscale family car had a separate frame and leaf spring rear suspension Citroens front-wheel-drive sedan featured monocoque construction four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. But the pice de rsistance lay in the central high-pressure hydraulic system that controlled the power steering disc brakes and damping for the hydropneumatic suspension. Also available was a brilliant semi-automatic gearbox that utilized an automatic hydraulically controlled clutch. Encapsulating all of that technical wizardry was a space-age body designed by sculptor Flaminio Bertoni and aeronautical engineer Andre Lefebvre. The shape was like nothing seen before or since. So incredible was the design that the famed aesthete Roland Barthes described it as having fallen from the sky. Attendees of the Paris show responded with enthusiasm placing twelve thousand deposits on the first day alone.For all of its technical and aesthetic brio the DS was not intended as a one-off show car or a limited production halo car reserved for a few wealthy buyers. In practice it was quite the opposite as the DS served as a mid-priced mass-production family car for general consumption. Citroen produced more than 1.4 million examples in the cars incredible twenty-year run. Throughout production engineers continued to refine the cars styling and mechanical specification. The many variants of the DS including the standard sedan the luxurious Pallas the stripped down and simplified ID and the cavernous Safari wagon along with many coachbuilt variations. For 1968 Robert Opron redesigned the front end incorporating the now iconic swiveling driving lamps behind aerodynamic glass covers. The Citroen DS is a regular addition to lists naming the most beautiful or most significant cars of the 20th century and one drive is enough to appreciate why the DS stands as Frances most celebrated car a beautiful blend of art engineering and Avant-Garde thinking.The 1973 Citroen DS23 presented here is an outstanding example. This FG-Series model has the Borg Warner fully automatic three speed gearbox and the most powerful engine offered in a standard DS: The 130 horsepower fuel-injected 2.3-liter inline four. This well-maintained European market example presents in marvelous highly original condition finished in metallic grey over black Pallas leather trim. The body is crisp and straight with very nice paintwork and detailing. A minor touchup or two can be found on inspection; however the overall presentation is gorgeous. Stainless steel bumpers wheel covers and trim all present in excellent condition showing some light polish marks yet remaining straight and in fine order.As a top-line Pallas model this car has all of the posh luxurious trim. The black leather is excellent the same black leather covers the door panels and armrests and presents in similarly excellent condition as do the carpets. Such details make being a passenger in a DS an absolute delight. Later models such as this feature a textured plastic instrument panel which in this car is excellent and crack-free. Similarly the delicate switches and controls are in fine condition showing this car has enjoyed a charmed existence.Detailing under the bonnet is appropriate for an original well-maintained example. The engine bay is tidy and shows signs of regular maintenance retaining the original Bosch electronic fuel injection and correct fittings and hardware. The hydraulic system works as it should raising the car off the bump stops shortly after startup and cycling through the various ride height settings swiftly and smoothly. The high-pressure hydraulic disc brakes and power steering also operate as they should allowing for effortless relaxed motoring.After more than a million examples built over twenty years the DS never seemed dated or old-fashioned thanks to continual refinement of the original concept. This car is a beautiful example of the ultimate specification DS featuring all of the improvements and upgrades made through the years that kept the car on the cutting-edge. Well-maintained and a delight to drive this desirable DS23 Pallas is sure to reward its next keeper with miles of luxurious motoring. Offers welcome and trades considered.For additional details please view this listing directly on our website https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7760-1973-citroen-ds23-pallas/
