DS and ID Citroën Tyres

After 10 years of secret development, with many ideas tested on the Traction Avant, the Citroen DS 19 was shown to a shocked public at the 1955 Paris motor show. As with the Traction Avant before it, the Citroen DS (Goddess!) featured a raft of technical advances. The most revolutionary of these was the high pressure hydraulic system which was used to actuate the clutch, gearchange, brakes, steering and of course the hydro-pneumatic suspension system (as seen earlier on the Citroen 15-Six-H Traction Avant). The amazing suspension system allowed the car to be raised or lowered by 6 inches meaning changing a tyre didn't require a jack, you simply raised your Citroen DS inserted the support and then lowered the car leaving one side dangling in the air! It was even possible to drive the car with only 3 wheels ( although not many people tried it ).

The styling of the Citroen DS was quite possibly its most controversial feature. Some people have called it a "space age" although it was penned 6 years before man entered space! It is very much a love it or hate it design with no middle ground.

In 1957 a slightly less complex version of the Citroen DS was introduced called the ID 19. This model retained the body and suspension of the DS but made do with conventional braking, steering, gear changing and basic trim. The introduction of the Citroen ID19 spelt the end for the much loved and admired Citroen Traction Avant, production of which ended in 1957.

In 1968 the Citroen DS and ID were given their first major redesign giving the car four headlights fitted behind plastic covers. The inner pair of headlights swivelled with the steering ( a feature Mercedes have just introduced 38 years later!) while the outer pair were linked to the suspension to maintain a level beam.

Also in 1968 the Citroen DS21 (introduced in 1965) and the Citroen DS19 gained more power and the names were changed, the DS19 became the DS20 and the ID's became the D spécial ,if equipped with the old engine, or D Super if fitted with the new DS20 engine. The Citroen DS21 became the DS23 in 1972 when the 2.3 litre engine was fitted and the D Super was made available with the DS21 engine and 5 speed gearbox.

On the 24th April 1975 production of the Citroen DS ceased after selling 1,455,746 units. These included the 7 or 9 seater Safari (or Break), the Prestige (with a glass panel between Chauffeur and owner) and Decapotable ( convertible ) both made by Henri Chapron and the Pallas with leather trim and superior external finish. The Citroen DS made a formidable rally car and also gave birth to the remarkable Maserati powered Citroën SM ( perhaps the car the DS always wanted to be?).

Pirelli Cinturato now in stock!