Citroen DS Super 1974 Manual LHD

In 1957 the French Philosopher Roland Barthes wrote of the DS:
'The D. S. - the 'Goddess' - has all the features . of one of those objects from another universe which have supplied fuel for the neomania of the eighteenth century and that of our own science-fiction: the Deesse is first and foremost a new Nautilus. '

To compare a mere car to the fabulous underwater craft imagined by Jules Verne gives one an idea of of just how revolutionary was the impact of the sleekly designed DS at its introduction to the public in 1950s Paris. This was a time when most cars were available in black and had running boards. The US. the most influential consumer driven society in the world. was having a love affair with the finned automobile - itself aping the the aeronautical industry.

The design of the DS heralded a new European confidence emerging from the rubble of the Second World War. In fashion and furniture. the Italians were the most influential nationality in Continental design. so it is entirely fitting that one of the designers of the DS. Flaminio Bertoni. a keen artist and sculptor. was the son of an Italian stone mason. Bertoni (not to be confused with the other Italian car designer Bertone) had trained in sheet metal working. architecture and design. Working closely with Andre Lefebvre. who himself had a background in aircraft design and aerodynamics. they translated rough drawings into the the automotive sculpture we know as the DS.

In Europe at the time. furniture designers were starting to experiment with new materials. Materials such as fibreglass. aluminium and plastic were combined with more traditional materials. such as wood. to great effect. So it was in the DS. The car featured so many new and original ideas that it immediately took auto design forward ten years. The first use of aluminium. fibreglass and plastics in a mass produced motor car.

To drive a DS now 50 years after its first introduction is to ride in a car with near modern levels of ride comfort.

Today part of the appeal. besides the striking looks. of owning a DS is simply how practical they are as an everyday classic. The car will seat 5 people in great comfort. the rear passengers sitting proud of the front occupants are afforded a great view forwards as they are wafted along as if on a cloud.

A properly maintained DS is capable of starship mileages with most mechanical components being bombproof. The boot is cavernous making this an eminently suitable touring vehicle.
It's true that modern standards of noise suppression and service intervals are superior and all but a few DSs come without air-conditioning but many people today do still consider them as a practical everyday mode of transport.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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