CITROËN DS19
ENGINE 1911cc/4-cyl/OHV POWER 75bhp@4500rpm TORQUE 101lb ft@3000rpm 0-60MPH 15sec MAXIMUM SPEED 88mph FUEL CONSUMPTION 24-30mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, four-speed semi-auto ENGINE OIL Castrol Classic XL20w50 5 litres AXLE OIL Castrol EP90 1.3 litres ‘Projet D’ was finally unveiled as the DS19 at the ’55 Paris salon, where its remarkable shape and advanced hydraulic systems shocked crowds. A few months later, it had much the same impact on crowds at the British Motor Show.
Even before you step inside it, the DS is still a challenging shape, with its visual mass concentrated around the A-pillar and tapering aggressively towards the tail.
This example’s sober black bodywork gives no clue to what lies inside – leopard-like fabric that swathes the seats and doors with startling patterned orange. It’s not the only thing about the interior that’s unsettling, either. There’s the odd single-spoke steering wheel, on the wrong side for UK use, and the big rubber button on the floor that operates the brakes. Glance in the rear-view mirror and there’s the curious sight of a venetian blind in the rear window – a rare French option. And there’s no clutch pedal.
The DS19’s hydraulic system powers the brakes, suspension steering and transmission. Click the dainty gearlever into a new ratio and the hydraulics mesh the gears and operate the clutch for you. It can be a bit jerky from rest so manoeuvring at walking pace in a tight spot calls for a steady nerve but it works remarkably well once on the move. The brakes (inboard discs at the front) take some getting used to through that pressure-sensitive button, but the way the suspension soaks up bumps is still impressive today.
The DS19 is brought back to reality by its engine, which is a refugee from the Traction Avant of the Thirties. The long-stroke ‘four’ is tough and torquey, but its grumbles upset the calm, quiet vibe. Sweeter short-stroke engines appeared in the Sixties, followed by bigger, more powerful units.
This is still an extraordinary vehicle six decades on, but try to buy the best that you can afford; even respectable-looking cars can hide horrors.
Hidden rust in the chassis and ‘caisson’ body frame is the main concern. Mechanically the DS is robust and the hydraulics rarely give trouble if well-maintained.
If that amazing shape and the extraordinary, quirky road manners appeal, you won’t regret it.