By Classic Yorkshire correspondent Tony Lofthouse
If you’re looking for a touch of French open-top elegance then how about the Citroen DS Decapotable (or ‘convertible’)?
But, a word of warning – these are sought-after and expensive motors. Two recent sales net over £200,000!
During the sixties, Citroen produced just 1,365 DS convertibles – 770 DS19s, 483 DS21s and 112 of the similar ID19s – making it a very rare and expensive DS variant.
The two-door convertible option was designed and built for Citroen by French coach-builder Henri Chapron and debuted at the 1960 Paris Motor Show.
Its look took the famous teardrop shape of the saloon to new levels and uses a special reinforced body frame.
Buyers were given a choice of 15 exterior colours, 13 interior leather shades and three carpet options.
In a rare US sale, two classic Citroens went under the hammer with RM Sotheby’s.
They included a red 1964 DS convertible which had been fully restored in the mid-eighties by a Citroen specialist. It sold for 123,200 USD (£96,000).
A later 1968 DS Decapotable in ‘bleu polaire glace’ and restored by the German company, DS Manufaktur, under license from the Chapron family, made even more. It went for 151,200 USD (£117,950).
Interestingly, whilst Citroen hit on a winner with the DS with its curvy looks and advanced technology, they were hesitant about developing a convertible. Thankfully, Henri Chapron saw the vision and created a motoring masterpiece!