These cars were originally designed and manufactured at planet Zorglub, but due to stringent emission regulations they were fitted with crappy Citroën engines in France. Also the ability to levitate was removed due to the U.S. legislation.
@anon: i agree somewhat--the flared-nostril headlights have not aged as well as their supporters would have you believe; i happen to think the design was more fully with some of the later generations of the car. the maserati-powered SM is near the top of my list of fantasy money pit cars.
and yeah, @michael: citroen in the u.s. was killed by bumper regs. i love the idea of cruising over speedbumps without stress and then getting up to autobahn speed and feeling the chassis suck down to the pavement. we'll never know the pleasures of 1970s adjustable ride height technology.
I was not aware this design was originally shown to the public in 1955 with production commencing in 1956. Considering what was being produced in the U.S. at the time, the DS was equivalent to something straight out of one of those Popular Mechanics "cars of the future" articles back then.
One of the most impressive cars ever. If you think that it was designed in the 50ties. With this amazing hydrobumpertechnology. To drive a DS is one of the best things you can experience. Check it out it's more floating on the streets than driving :-)
DS, that french goddess. (Pronounced like goddess in French. Not a coincidence. :))
I've driven CX and it's a more modern version of DS. Not modern as there aren't any, but more modern. Modern Citroens are much more conventional then these were.
It's not actually a DS.. The D Special was a downmarket issue, without all the full hydraulics of a DS.
As regards the beauty mentioned above, the US-spec lighting arrangements don't do it many favours.. The original has either single large round lights (pre '67) or faired-in twin lamps (post '67) which look far prettier than these.
It should come as no surprise that the car was styled by a French aeronautical engineer......probably after some late night absinthe-induced hallucinations.
The lurid color on this particular specimen was probably added at some point for shock value.......it certainly wasn't necessary.
Regardless, a landmark achievement in mid-century automotive design.
hey, that's my car! yes, it's in Portland and it does run. this year paint will happen. i love this car more than anything - i am sure it's subjective.
Best of OPC. 
10 comments:
These cars were originally designed and manufactured at planet Zorglub, but due to stringent emission regulations they were fitted with crappy Citroën engines in France. Also the ability to levitate was removed due to the U.S. legislation.
Nevertheless great find.
How did this win an award for the most beautiful car of all time? I know beauty is subjective - so maybe I'm the one who is wrong...
so, so cool.
@anon: i agree somewhat--the flared-nostril headlights have not aged as well as their supporters would have you believe; i happen to think the design was more fully with some of the later generations of the car. the maserati-powered SM is near the top of my list of fantasy money pit cars.
and yeah, @michael: citroen in the u.s. was killed by bumper regs. i love the idea of cruising over speedbumps without stress and then getting up to autobahn speed and feeling the chassis suck down to the pavement. we'll never know the pleasures of 1970s adjustable ride height technology.
I was not aware this design was originally shown to the public in 1955 with production commencing in 1956. Considering what was being produced in the U.S. at the time, the DS was equivalent to something straight out of one of those Popular Mechanics "cars of the future" articles back then.
One of the most impressive cars ever. If you think that it was designed in the 50ties. With this amazing hydrobumpertechnology. To drive a DS is one of the best things you can experience. Check it out it's more floating on the streets than driving :-)
DS, that french goddess. (Pronounced like goddess in French. Not a coincidence. :))
I've driven CX and it's a more modern version of DS. Not modern as there aren't any, but more modern. Modern Citroens are much more conventional then these were.
Floating on the streets like Maggs said.
It's not actually a DS.. The D Special was a downmarket issue, without all the full hydraulics of a DS.
As regards the beauty mentioned above, the US-spec lighting arrangements don't do it many favours.. The original has either single large round lights (pre '67) or faired-in twin lamps (post '67) which look far prettier than these.
It should come as no surprise that the car was styled by a French aeronautical engineer......probably after some late night absinthe-induced hallucinations.
The lurid color on this particular specimen was probably added at some point for shock value.......it certainly wasn't necessary.
Regardless, a landmark achievement in mid-century automotive design.
Woohoo! Just spotted in our neighborhood, hopefully it's a new NW resident!
hey, that's my car! yes, it's in Portland and it does run. this year paint will happen. i love this car more than anything - i am sure it's subjective.
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