Technical and different from other aesthetic saloons, the Citroën DS always enjoyed a distinguished and unique air. Today we tell the story of a myth: the “Jaws”.

The Citroen DS was always (and remains today), an extremely beautiful and functional car, large tourers qualities and Inside super comfortable, although its mechanical complexity also pulled back the more conservative of his time users. He copy of the Citroën DS which you speak today It was manufactured in 1973 YSU owner is Fernando “What I like most are its forms, the comfort Travel and stability. Y the least? The consumption and tener to wash by hand“. Thus, in addition to face great happiness, introduces us to its owner in the history of the legendary Shark. And no wonder: six decades after its introduction, this car continues to surprise and admiration faces leaving in their wake.

Even in the maturity of its commercial life, the Citroen DS always maintained that large metal style amphibious, so beneficial for aerodynamics. Even his body became even more profiled in 1967 with the redesign carried out under the direction of Robert Opron, with those protected by the common glass headlamps and incorporating a magical invention: the central headlamps rotate in unison with the direction and they are oriented towards the curve we will take.

Along with this news, which then had no continuity despite its advantages, Citroën DS 21 He was polishing some of the flaws that historically signaled the automotive journalists. Thus, since 1969 there was a new more colorful and fully instrumented in which still lacking a manometer oil and water thermometer. Similarly, the output that year a version with injection engine and 125 hp had made the model benefits commensurate with its 2.2L engine, with a tip speed 183 km / h and an acceleration of 32.8 seconds at kilometer standing start. Similarly, the optional box of five marches, offered since 1970, reduced the engine noise at highway trips slightly. In any case it has merit a car launched in 1955 continue to sell so well in the early seventies and until they cease their production stabilized between 90,000 and 100,000 units-year.

Citroën DS: a single copy

this wonderful copy of the Citroën DS today we speak of is a Series Model D Super 5, whose official price was 20,900 French francs. More affordable than a Citroen DS 23 744 21 1972; or 25,000 francs exact new Citroen DS 23 carburetor fed by 1973. “The Citroen DS season I like long memory from one small white house was near -we comments Fernando, the owner-. Furthermore, due to my work I have regarding the design of cars and airplanes and studied the complexity of representing her curves. “

Fernando was years behind one of these Citroën DS, but it took to find one that was to his liking. “I wanted it to be black, but one day I saw one red and loved it, so I expanded the search and I found it in Murcia. I bought it to Antonio, a gentleman who had an electric workshop and at retirement set about restoring cars. I did a tune, an arrangement in the rear lights and rear bearing changed. The rest was like, so I decided “. Located in the aluminum hood center, a chrome trim highlights offered by the accessory industry. Painted source color Masséna Rouge, is elegant contrast with chrome and with the lateral uprights, covered by a plate of polished aluminum.

Citroën DS: an aerodynamic sculpture

The body Citroen DS It has the style of a striking sculpture, along with that sharp front that reaches the base of the panoramic windshield and wheel arches which extend their curves in the front doors. In fact, the driver and passenger are in the longitudinal center of the car, while the rear overhang and contributes just have to think that this car is clearly smaller than it really is, because a length of no less than 4.875 meters.

Moving on to go, Fernando proceeds to lift the hood, which is held by a rod anchored to the right side of the radiator. In the foreground, the spare wheel and inclined subject on a crossbeam, which is followed by the radiator. To the left of the latter, the green liquid LHM reservoir, which feeds the hydraulic circuits of suspension, steering and brakes. Below both the gearbox with large front discs attached to it. Interestingly, the engine itself only occupies the back half of the span and the tangle of hoses, cables and straps carburetor, alternator and the ignition distributor are distinguished. In summary, that except simple mechanical tasks, as checking the oil level or add washer fluid It seems designed to touch her skilled hands. And from end to end, to see that the trunk is quite usable, but the lid is somewhat small and there is no possibility of an occasional extension.

Citroën DS: from within

Once in the driving position Citroen DS, like visibility at any angle. Instead, the controls are strange and require a period of adaptation. For example, no handbrake, but a left pedal style Mercedes, whose left is the adjustment lever suspension height. Also draws attention to the interior mirror on the bottom of the windshield, and that if it were located above would not fulfill its function, because we would see at most a couple of meters back.

On the board, the implementation of the Citroën DS is divided into three circles. The left together twelve warning lights, the red center, which determines the immediate stop and be accompanied by another witness that indicates the origin of the fault being the most important. To your right, a speedometer graduated to 200 km / h, whose area is warned that dry soil stopping distance is 80 meters when wheel 100 km / h, 150 meters if we 140km / h is extended up to 250 meters in the case of going to 180 km / h . Rounding out the whole a fuel level indicator on the left side of the speedometer, the tachometer red zone from 6,000 rpm and a clock schedule that goes in the center of the dashboard.

Citroën DS: exquisite comfort

instants after starting this Citroen DS, the body rises power steering and easy handling of single-arm wheel. From the first meters, is perceived the comfort provided by the hydropneumatic suspension, coupled with a bucket seats. However, the change in column direction is imprecise and requires calm maneuvers, as the synchronized takes time. In town, costs demarcate where the nose and tail end, which forces to act with patience if you do not want to end up with dents in the beautiful chrome bumpers.

After the session our photographer had just static photos to Citroën DS, We start the tour on a narrow and winding road. I preferred to sit back and I was right. There’s even more legroom and the center armrest and seat comfort are appreciated. In that way, Shark swallowed imperfections pavement and when Fernando addressed each curve suspension responded with an extraordinary softness, something worthwhile in such a big and heavy car.

Back to the controls, I discovered that Agility part of Citroën DS lies in the three laps having the steering wheel lock to lock. With the help of assistance, it becomes an ally of joyful driving, although invited to take advantage of the inertia and protest when maneuvering too abruptly. Meanwhile, we must also learn to modulate the force exerted on the brake pedal, then the answer is more sudden and powerful than usual.

We enter the freeway and quickly we move into fifth at 100 km / h marker, with 2,600 rpm at cuentavueltas and feeling of going firmly attached to the asphalt. At that rate, which is the legal limit as a historic vehicle, neither the air caressing the body or rolling itself heard. Only the sound of an engine ready to take us wherever necessary, with the support of a fourth gear that gets that same cruise at 3,300 laps and even in third at 4,600 rpm.

In short, and in summary, even in his last years of production, Citroen DS continued to offer an excellent compromise comfort / behavior when compared to other sedans in its class. Similarly, its aerodynamic profile and five-speed box facilitated high cruising speed, while the front-wheel drive ensured grip on slippery surfaces. In contrast, its unconventional technique requiring specific maintenance, only possible in workshops Citroen. A great car for ever and ever.

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