What can you buy for £24,000 – £28,000? A middling Nissan Qashqai? A fully-loaded Ford Fiesta? Or an immaculate example of perhaps the most beautiful car ever made?
Mais oui, it’s the Citroen DS 21 – a car so far ahead of its time, it still looks futuristic today. Not that you’re likely to see one; according to data from Cazana, just over 100 remain on UK roads.
This particular DS starred in Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars, the car restoration TV show presented by Paul Cowland and Drew Pritchard. It’s for sale via Car & Classic, with the seven-day online auction kicking off on 11 February.
Gallic Goddess
This is the first vehicle from Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars to be auctioned online. And if you watched the show – the first episode in the latest series – you’ll know it has been meticulously returned to its former glory.
The task began with marque specialist DS Workshop, who completed a major overhaul on the Citroen’s bodywork, 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine and hydropneumatic suspension. The latter uses hydraulic fluid to provide self-levelling and a ‘magic carpet’ ride, but is fiendishly complicated and prone to leaks.
The car’s chassis was also rust-proofed, before a full respray in Brun Scarabee metallic with a contrasting Gris Palladium roof. Bonnet de douche, as Del Boy might say.
Sacré Bluetooth
Inside, Paul and Drew upgraded the DS to plush Pallas specification, including more comfortable seats with detachable pillow-like headrests.
The lovely single-spoke steering wheel remains, as do the keep-fit windows and very 1970s square clock. However, the classic-look radio now features DAB and Bluetooth phone connectivity, plus an additional speaker at the rear of the car.
Édith Piaf or Daft Punk? The choice is yours.
As seen on screen
Chris Pollitt, head of editorial at Car & Classic, said: If you’re after, or have always toyed with the notion of a DS, this is the one. The paint is flawless, the interior almost like new. Nothing has been missed – this is an example of how a restoration should be done.
“And being a TV star, you get extra kudos when you take it out to car shows and the like. It’s just a wonderful machine. If I could, I would!”
Still want that Qashqai, then? No, thought not.
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