Citroën DS 1970: history of a cult car

1970 for the Citroën DS was a popular and industrial consecration. But it was also a recognition for an exceptional, incomparable design that was almost a work of art. The 70s marked for the Citroën DS both the peak and the end of its industrial career. An elitist and democratic car at the same time, it was the car that best embodied the French quality identifiable throughout the world. A car for thugs and cops, for Charles De Gaulle and Louis de Funès. It was also the car of the average Joe, of young and old, of workers and executives. And then, in the hearts of vintage car collectors and enthusiasts, it would continue to live on and arouse sometimes somewhat crazy passions.

So how did the Citroën DS go from being a "simple" car to a car prized by collectors and finally to a legend, a cult car?

THE DAZZLING SUCCESS OF THE CITROËN DS 19, 21 AND 23

Citroën and the automotive thunderbolt of 1955

In 1955, the Traction-avant was showing signs of fatigue and was no longer able to compete with the competition, whether national or international.

In any case, in Paris on October 6, 1955, the day Peugeot unveiled its bland 403, the crowd had eyes only for the new Citroën DS 19, awaited for 10 years and awaited with as much impatience as if it were the opening of a new Egyptian tomb!

A technological and aesthetic gem 20 years ahead of the competition

Innovation is everywhere, first and foremost in terms of technology: oleopneumatic suspension, power-assisted disc brakes, semi-automatic gearbox, and hydraulic power steering. Then in terms of design: the cabin offers exceptional visibility, a crazy dashboard, and exceptional rear roominess. Finally, the Citroën DS's handling is fantastic.

The Citroën DS will be nicknamed "the Bomb," with its science fiction line halfway between fish and car, and even described as a UFO and/or a work of art by its ever-increasing number of admirers. It is an avant-garde aesthetic and technological masterpiece that is offered. Another risk taken by the manufacturer is having dared to offer very bold colors with apple green or turquoise and aubergine, among others...

The driving experience of this Citroën DS is disconcerting with very soft steering, too much for some. The car is fast but it does not provide a sensation of speed, it seems to float while erasing all the imperfections of the road. What is initially disconcerting ends up winning the support of those who will become the "Citronists", the uncompromising fans, the ultras of the chevron brand. It is also to Flaminio Bertoni that we owe this very stylized bodywork. Certainly, the DS will show some aesthetic evolutions but which will not distort in any way the magnificent line, its elegant curves and the futuristic character of the car will remain intact.

Is the Citroën DS too sophisticated?

The car's level of sophistication also caused some reliability issues for its first owners, particularly in terms of suspension. Perhaps delivered too quickly, the Citroën DS and its problems would embarrass dealers left untrained by the manufacturer, faced with breakdowns they did not yet know how to repair.

The sophistication for the masses will, however, scare off some potential customers, more "4th Republic", and it is with a certain relief that the manufacturer will produce a more consensual version of its flagship model with the more proletarian ID 19. What is certain is that with the Citroën DS 19, DS 21 and 23, the France of the 30 Glorious Years enters into modernity, both in terms of aesthetics and technology.

For its manufacturer, a Citroën DS is not an object like the others and must be noticed, if possible from afar. Citroën was turning a page to open a more revolutionary one and this upheaval also involved the color which had to contrast with the pre-war black.

Citroën DS 21 and 23: the hallmarks of social success

Driving a DS 21 and then a Citroën DS 23 is a mark of social success for its owners. It's worth remembering that the car was originally intended for executives. It's worth noting that the Citroën DS 21 and Citroën DS 23 were never released as an estate car, unlike the ID 19, seen as a service ambulance in many 1970s films.

THE PLAYERS OF THE CITROËN DS MYTH

The Citroën DS, the most beautiful car of all time, was born from the hands of sculptor Flaminio Bertoni **

The Citroën DS 19, then 21 and 23 were born from the mind and hands of Flaminio Bertoni, a sculptor by trade who was made a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the Minister of Cultural Affairs, André Malraux. In 1999, he even won the prize for "Best World Design Object of the 20th Century."

The Citroën DS “Prestige” from coachbuilder Henri Chapron

Another name often associated with the prestige of the Citroën DS 21 and Citroën DS 23 is that of coachbuilder Henri Chapron, who captivated visitors to the 1958 Motor Show with his DS convertible. He is responsible for the special, extended model used by General De Gaulle. He was also responsible for creating the first open-top DS convertible.

Roland Barthes and the Citroën: from DS to goddess

Even intellectuals will contribute to establishing the myth of the Citroën DS 19 and then the Citroën DS 21 and DS 23. Thus Roland Barthes notes, as if hypnotized: "The new Citroën clearly falls from the sky, a superlative and spiritual object which sublimates ustensibility." He adds: "the Citroën is a great creation of the period, passionately designed by unknown artists, consumed in its image, if not in its use, by an entire people who appropriate in it a perfectly magical object." From the DS to the goddess finally!

1962: the Citroën DS saves the life of General De Gaulle

Legend has it that the Citroën DS saved General De Gaulle's life during the Petit-Clamart attack on August 22, 1962. The valiant chevron-emblazoned car continued to drive despite two burst tires, thanks in part to its automatic clutch. Two years after the attack, the bullet-riddled car was restored and then sold to General Robert-Paul Dupuy, who seriously crashed it in 1971, almost a second attack! Eventually, a replica of the vehicle was built and ended up in the Charles De Gaulle Memorial Museum. It should be noted that this replica was often presented as the real one, the one used in the attack!

The Citroën DS, a movie star

The Citroën DS will become one of the most used cars in the history of cinema. You remember "Going Places" and "Fantomas". But the Citroën DS 21 and the Citroën DS 23 will enter the automotive legend and even the legend itself with notable appearances in cinema even after the 80s.

But it is above all French cinema that uses the Citroën DS the most. Of course, we immediately think of Louis de Funès, with the Fantômas series, in "Jo", "Hibernatus", in "Grandes vacances" or in "Le Grand restaurant" where the Citroën DS is Mr. Septime's car. "The Adventures of Rabbi Jacob" and his magnificent black DS.

How can we not mention the legendary "Tontons flingueurs", or the magnificent "Samouraï" by Jean-Pierre Melville, with Alain Delon as a Citroën DS thief. "L'Aventure c'est l'aventure" by Claude Lelouch is not to be outdone with several DS used. In "Le Silencieux", Lino Ventura will use several Citroën DS. Special mention for the film "Les Lyonnais" by Olivier Marchal from 2011: we see several models of Citroën DS 19, DS 21 and DS 23 which do not just make fleeting appearances, but are actually used and often at high speed. They are truly actresses in their own right here

And then the DS stolen by Alain Delon in the pale Paris of 1967, that has a real class. We can tell that Melville loved filming the car. You're as beautiful as a car stolen by Alain Delon... in the Samurai the reflections of the neon lights of Paris at the time on the bodywork.

Jean Dujardin in La French and the black jay in the car is also very classy