1971 Citroen DS D Super 5 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Inboard discs needed to be replaced. This was due to over wear, a result of a seized rear brake piston which had gone unnoticed by the previous owner.

Clutch also needed to be replaced. An expensive task indeed due to the extremely complex engine layout.

Hydraulic spheres also had to be replaced. Replacements were difficult to find.

The Citroen DS should have been voted "Car of the Century". The D is an absolute design masterpiece, offering exceptional comfort and roadholding and what absolutely wonderful lines. It will never be bettered.

Sorry, but in my opinion it looks like an ugly fish.

It is a car that resembles the French, a big front side, but nothing to back it up and as soon as you push it a little bit to hard it will fall apart.

The previous comment is from a small minded individual who probably doesn't realise that the DS was the pioneer of many car safety devices we take for granted today, they pr

obably drive an unimaginative choice of car, yes you've guessed it a BMW or Merc (Boring)

Drove a 1972 DS through Scotland a few years back... excellent touring machine. Headlights turning-function brilliant on small Highland roads. Got discounts at B&B (in Scotland!!) because enthusiasm about car and small test drive. Absolute eye-catcher (most people probably like fish!). Suspension unequaled: did the same tour in an MG roadster and a modern 5 series touring BMW and needed serious back treatment afterwords. Drove DS 21 from Highlands down to Bristol in one day... old mechanics...but no problems and absolutely no fatigue.

Lastly: legroom in backseats totally unequaled (apart from limousines) and reclining front seats interlocking with rear couch makes a very comfortable bed.

Wish Citroen would still make these cars!

Name one safety device that was a world first in a DS, and don't come up with he air suspension or the turning headlights, these are old party tricks, nothing more.

Ds drivers are want to be sophisticated poor old sods with absolutely no idea what a car is about, you guys will drive a four posted bed (you probably already do) and think of it as great.

To the people slamming the DS series: You might want to take a long hard look at what you drive... Your choice of car may not exactly be everyone elses cup of tea either.

The DS is a heck of a lot more of an interesting and innovative car than 95% of whats out there right now.

There are two DSes in the area where I live and if either were up for sale I would jump at the chance to buy one, since having had a chance to drive one was a most enjoyable experience.

So grow up, people!

Worlds 1st safety devices in a DS:

- extremely powerful high pressure braking system (braking power is related to driving speed and total weight of the car)

- first mass produced car type with disk-brakes fitted in

- introduction of radial tires Michelin X

- very large "glass-area" 2.23m2 contributes to better sight

...

Its all down to personal opinion what you think of the DS. I agree that those who dislike the car, often don't know much about it. (For example its not air suspension, but an "air" over "water" set-up, with the "water" being the most active part) But the most striking thing about it is the forward think that was applied to its design. The shape for example was the first to sell aerodynamics as a common feature, even though the Traction (the DS predecessor) was very aerodynamic for its time. Many manufacturers followed this shape over time, and, for example, it took Ford 28 years to come up with a design of similar dynamic efficiency with the "jelly mould" Sierra.

In board brakes are still not fitted to well over 85% of modern cars.

Nearly 50 years later, no other mass volume car manufacturer has brought out a car with such good ride, doesn't that say something.

With total sales of nearly 1.5 million, how can this many people be wrong?

And if the person who wrote "air suspension or the turning headlights, these are old party tricks, nothing more" is so sure he's right, then why has Vauxhall copied the headlights and Rolls Royce paid for the use of Citroens suspension on its cars? Rolls Royce is not a car manufacturer to make a mistake on ride quality is it?

I think it is one of the best car too, but its all down to personal opinion. And for the record, I'm not old and I don't drive one, but seriously wish I did. (I'm only 17 years old)

Was Jaguar not the first with disc brakes on the Mark II?

With Reference to the above comment:

Afraid not, the Jaguar MK2 was introduced in 1959, but the Citroen was introduced in 1955.

But could be wrong on the Jaguar introduction date.

In reply to the above debate as to whether the DS is a worthwhile car, I would like to say that I am all in favour of any manufacturer who causes the whole world to sit up and look at what they make and re think their design plans. The DS was serious ground breaking design, (Design of the century award winner) Not to everyones tastes I am sure, but a mighty fine machine it is. I am a great fan of the citroen designs and their hydraulic suspension and the ride quality that comes with it. I own a BMW 325i and also an Audi Coupe (old audi quattro shape) and recently bought a Xantia for work (my second one now),driving long distances in pure comfort. I would love to buy a DS as they are in my opinion one of the best cars ever made. As for build quality... they WON several world rallies when they were released. Rally teams these days spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on a single car just to get to the end of these events! I would like to add to anyone who says Hydraulic citroens are a nightmare. It is simple and reliable system the only hard thing about them is thinking out side the bubble and trusting something new. I too wish they still made the DS that way I could probably afford one. They are more expensive 20 or 30 years on than some new cars today... Citroen obviously did something right... As for the guy who seems to want to wind everyone up with his lack of intelligence and subsequent childlike comments all I can say is if youve nothing constructive to say then we are not interested.

____________________________________________________________

To sum up, owning a DS or any classic car nowadays means Look after me, Waxoil me, and remember that I need TLC. The reward you get is worth it, you'll never get tired of the old saying "Nice car mista"!

Yours...DS (and anything which thought has gone into) lover.

Two more safety firsts for the DS:

Crumple zones.

The engine is pushed underneath the passenger cell in a front impact.

The DS (or Goddess, so called as Deese means Goddess in French) needs little support from its detractors. There is no need for concern over the like or dislike of the shape, style or romantic nature of the machine. It is and always has been, far more than the sum of its parts. A man who owned one was proposed to three times in one day. It is and always be, an avante garde machine that outlives all designs it precedes. Do not concern yourself. This fine machine can take any criticism. Put it next to any car either of its time or of the present age and the nature of the car will outshine anything else. Simple as that.

Remember when you first passed your driving test? Every drive after that was an adventure. You didn't need a reason to hop in your car and go somewhere, you just did it because driving was such an exciting experience. Driving a DS Citroen is like that, it's an experience. The novelty never wears off. No other car offers the same driving experience. End of argument, Game over.

I own a 1967 DS19a which I am currently restoring. Everyone who knows me always asks with genuine interest how the car is coming along.With one exception they all admire the ds's forward thinking design and recognise that it was technologically advanced and will remain an icon of motoring history. The one exception -he drives a p-reg Nissan primera diesel NEED I SAY MORE!!

I saw a very sad thing yesterday, as I was at a friends house and we watched a automotive stunt film and in the UK 8 DS's were set in a row and a man attempted to put a 1978 chevy Impala (a big American car) through them all, well he succeeded in completely destroying 7 of the 8 DS's I can't believe this was done, what a terrible choice of crash cars!