THE ENCHANTING CLASSIC CAR

The 50 Defining Shining Moments In The History of the Automobile

Written by Serge Bellu | Translated by Kim Gyo Shin

The DS 19 is one of the epiphenomenons in the history of the automobile. When the DS 19 made its debut at the Motor Show in 1955, this car trumped all of its rivals not only in , but also around the world. The DS was one of the most revolutionary automobiles to come out of the French market.

Citroën DS (1955–1975)

The Myth of the Goddess

Like the Traction Avant and the 2CV, the DS also started as a result of the meeting of extraordinary people. Engineer André Lefèbvre was the lead researcher, while was the sculptor. Born in 1894, Lefèbvre attended classes beside Gabriel Voisin. On the other hand, Bertoni, who was born in in 1093, possessed an aptitude for the arts and underwent training to become an artist.

With its twin body aerodynamic profile, smooth sides bereft of ornament, its sloping grille-less bonnet, its flat floor pan, its narrow wheelbase together with its streamlined rear adorned with a wheel fender, and its corner-less wide window surfaces, the style of the DS threw people into a frenzy.

Δ As a car manufactured in 1968, the DS 19 was consciously modernised with the inclusion of streamlined dual This futuristic design conformed headlights. to new engineering concepts. Apart from the engine (1,911 cc, Δ Coachbuilder was 75 hp) inherited from the front- responsible for the production of the wheel drive, all of the machinery Cabriolet based on the limited mass production method of the ID 19, DS reveal a touch of ingenuity. 19, and DS 21.

Δ In the advertisement, the DS 19 turns into a private car! The car was empowered with a tremendous passenger seating capacity. The steering, the brakes (in the form of men who stand at the forefront of discs in the front wheel), a hydraulic the times have expressed their servo device for the transmission that is respect for the outstanding and connected to the automatic clutch, innovative value of the car. When comfortable fittings that at the same this car was introduced at the 1957 time promote road durability, and a Triennale, architect Gio Ponti hydropneumatic suspension (the 15 Six exalted that “the DS 19 has the H was studied in 1954) that helps to courage to be a serious machine.” vary the height of the car from the The same year, semiotician Roland ground. From the driver’s seat and the Barthes wrote in his Mythologies: “I futuristic dashboard, the single-spoke think that cars today are almost the steering wheel that was connected to exact equivalent of the great Gothic the steering column by just one spoke, cathedrals.” to the large wheelbase which gives clear view of the backseat and a However, the public was more spacious interior, the design was hesitant in welcoming the DS 19. unusual. Colours like Apple Green, Aubergine, and Dark Yellow that Roland Barthes and Gio Ponti have can be said to be less unpleasant written in praise of the DS 19. These were used for the promotional cars,

but somehow did not satisfy the masses. It was a period where people were more willing to show off cars that were grey, black or brown. However, the DS 19 soon provided unparalled quality and comfort as a long- distance automobile. As a result, the DS 19 became a commercial success much to the envy of others.

Famous conspiring forces served to push the Δ The slim and compact DS to enter contemporary history. It was fish-like front view revealed that General de Gaulle himself was Departing from its life as a city car, an unconditional supporter of the car. His the DS went on to accumulate affinity for the car turned into blind experience as an active sports car Δ Pioneering technology idolisation after the second time he survived a contained within the following its victories especially in surprise attack while he was in his car. revolutionary bodyline of the the 1959 Monte Carlo Rally, and the DS 19, amongst which the In May 1957, the DS 19 received support for 1963 week-long Tour de Corse. most innovative features can ID 19, a more affordable variant of the car. At Amongst all the DS modifications, be found within the the in 1965, the DS series the Cabriolet, completed by hydropneumatic suspension, the steering apparatus, the emerged with the release of the DS 21. The automobile coachbuilder Henri braking device and the DS 21 was replaced by the DS 23 at the 1972 Chapron, became the most popular hydraulic servo device for model. The style of the collapsible show. In this last series, the DS 19 the transmission. accommodated a 2.347cc engine in either a roof in this version, however, carbureted (115 hp) or electronic fuel-injected became a slight aberration. (130 hp) form. The bottom of the front bumper of the 1963 model was modified through trimming. For cars that were manufactured in 1968, the most luxurious models of the DS series (the Pallas, Prestige, Cabriolet) made use of revolutionary lamps, where auxiliary lamps throw their beam along the driver’s intended path on curved roads.