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From the outset the intention was perfection. This car was to be the very best available, to be displayed at many shows and to win prizes. The resulting attention to detail and 'no expense spared' approach, has achieved the elusive goal of maximising and focusing the car's unique strengths.
The reasons why this car drives so well, comparatively, start with the engine mounts. We used brand new, original Citroen mountings as the key to smooth and quiet running. Remanufactured engine mountings have never been able to replicate the singular composition of the original rubber.
Usually, even the finest hand-made stainless steel exhaust systems cannot equal the mild steel, double skinned original for characteristic low noise and unique sound. We have achieved the best of both worlds by hand wrapping a high quality, long-lasting stainless system in heat proof tape; this cuts down vibration and resonance and is virtually indistinguishable, in sound, from an original.
Exhaustive attention to panel fit and finish contribute to significantly reducing the inherent wind and tyre noise. DS body panels are 'bolt-on', with an almost infinite range of adjustment. The attention given to aligning the panels and tweeking panel gaps makes a large contribution to a high level of overall interior ambience and further enhances drivability. A modern, high quality under-body spray sealer helps too.
New tinted glass has been fitted as well as new interior and exterior chrome and the stainless steel front and rear bumpers have been machine polished. The car retains its original ‘Tabac’ leather seats, hugely comfortable and with a beautiful patina, these were one of the main reasons for buying the car. There is new carpeting throughout and the Pallas scuff plates on the sills have been replaced with new pieces.
The car had two previous owners before me. The original owner having driven approximately 55k miles, willed the car, on his death, to his friend who continued to keep it in the same garage although he never drove it. The second owner, a good friend of mine, tinkered with the idea of restoring the car after his fourteen (ish) years of ownership but changed his mind and gave me first refusal. Based on my familiarity with the car, its provenance and the exceptional quality of the interior (it had hardly been used), it was an offer I couldn’t refuse.
The car was originally plain white, but in 2000 we took it to bare metal and painted inside and out in AC144 Blanc Carrare which is white with a subtle hint of green. We used Standox paint throughout. There are generally four paint colours on a later DS (unless it is two-tone, when there are five), hydraulic components are green, closing panels etc., are in brown and the wheels are grey. The colours on this car all match the original Citroen colours though the quality of finish far exceeds the original. Even the painted components received etch and high-build primer before the top coat was applied.
One of the problems with original Pallas cars was the number of holes introduced into the bodywork to attach the trim. These holes became rust traps and the same holds true today. When we prepare the body panels we do away with these holes and attach the trim with various bonding materials. Problem solved.
The engine has been stripped and rebuilt using the original crank and camshaft. There being no appreciable wear, new standard size bearings, cam followers and piston rings were used. The injection system was stripped, cleaned and reassembled with a new harness and new injectors.
The gearbox was stripped and examined and put back together (with new seals). It exhibited absolutely no wear.
After running-in Slick 50 was added to the engine.
The car has now covered approximately two thousand miles since the rebuild and just gets better and better.
The level of engine bay detailing verges on the obsessive. Where possible, visible bolts have the original Citroen chevron marking. Injection piping has been copper plated and the LHM tank nickel plated. All brackets, tabs, springs and washers etc., have been yellow-passivate plated.
The tyres are Michelin XVS for the sake of originality although we recommend upgrading to Continentals for superior wet weather performance and greater overall dynamic control. For the purists out there, try itbefore you deny it. They work.
Driving a DS semi-automatic (or BVH, Boîte de Vitesse Hydraulic) is an unequalled experience. The Citroen DS was, without doubt, the first really 'modern' production car and even today it bestows an unrivalled feeling of control, comfort and stability. Power steering, powerful disc brakes and the slick hydraulic gear change combine to make progress scintillating and delightful. Road holding is outstanding thanks to the front, mid-engined layout where the engine and gearbox run north-south but at 180 degrees to the norm, putting the weight of the engine well within the wheelbase. The safety implications of being able still to steer and drive on three wheels, in the event of a blowout, further marks out this exceptional car.
We estimate that to bring a car to this condition would cost in the region of £120 thousand pounds. £POA.
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