From The Classifieds: 1971 Citroen DS21

The low-slung, curvaceous and decidedly quirky Citroen DS21 was remarkable because it looks as unlike anything else today as it did when introduced in 1955. It could still, in fact, be considered futuristic – albeit in a weird sort of way by today’s standards.
The front-wheel drive, hydropneumatically-suspended French car was designed by Italian stylist Bertone and enjoyed a 20-year life before it was retired in 1975.

The DS21 was apparently a sensation at the 1955 Paris motor show, where it attracted a flood of viewers and a bulging order book.
However the expensive car was a bit hard to swallow for Frenchmen still recovering from World War II and a cheaper, slightly lower-technology version (it lacked power steering for example), the ID19, supplemented it in 1957.

The specifications of both were stunning, with the DS the recipient of more high technology: It not only came with the now-famed variable-height suspension, but also with power steering, semi-automatic transmission, a fibreglass roof, all-independent suspension and inboard front brakes. Later the Citroen also came with swivelling headlights.

Drastically different front-rear track widths helped the car’s natural tendency to understeer and the suspension’s ability to absorb bumps became legendary.

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine was derived from its also front-drive Traction Avant predecessor and was anything but a fireball where outright acceleration was concerned – although the suspension’s ability to cope with rough roads was so good that motorsport wins in events such as the Monte Carlo rally in 1959 and 1966 added to its stature.

Certainly the car was anything but anonymous. Its styling was so spectacular that it was unmistakable for anything else and, over the years, has received a lot of recognition from fellow car stylists and motor authorities. According to Wikipedia, the DS was fifth in Automobile magazine’s listing of the 100 Coolest Cars and was named the most beautiful car of all time by Classic & Sports Car magazine in a poll that included designers such as Ian Callum, Giorgetto Giugiaro, Roy Axe, Paul Bracq and Leonardo Fiorvanti.

And it was sold here. In 1967 you could buy a brand new DS21 for $5,280, the same sort of price you would have paid for a Mark II Jaguar or a locally-made Pontiac Parisienne.

Today, you would expect to pay a lot more than that for a DS 21. But not dollar-adjusted.

This blue 1971 DS21 now residing in Erina NSW came at the tail end of the car’s life and carries an asking price of $24,950. The owner says it underwent a bare-metal restoration and has featured in Classic Car magazine. The dash is said to be in showroom condition and the under-bonnet is something special.

The DS21 comes with a roadworthy certificate and the owner lists some of the items that have been attended to:

The carburettor and radiator have been overhauled, as have the hydraulic suspension spheres, it has been subjected to a bare-metal respray, has been rust proofed and the doors fish-oiled, it is fitted with new rubbers, hand chromed badges, a new windscreen, new seat-belts, new bespoke white interior, new roof lining, new vinyl flooring, an MP3 friendly stereo with speakers imported from the USA, “correct“ Michelin tyres designed for the DS, and new registration.

Bearing in mind that, for obvious reasons, upkeep and repairs on a Citroen DS21 can be time consuming and costly, it is vital that any buyer knows the ropes and has plenty of good advice available.

With those things adequately covered, you might just be in for the ride of a lifetime.