DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

.

I know that Russ (rvzz) used to own one but he doesn't (or very rarely) post on here any more.

I also know that Marcus (decapman) - as indicated by his screen name - had a 'decapotable' but, again, he rarely posts nowadays.

I've always fancied owning a DS - more so the later DS23 - & the 'itch' has re-appeared lately.

Any advice - eg semi-automatic vs manual ?

I've always been a manual gearbox fan (never owned an automatic despite having owned over 100 cars) but the semi-automatic transmission just seems to suit the DS style.

I've never driven a DS (yet) but had a couple of long distance passenger rides (across Germany) many years ago & the overriding memory is of supreme comfort.

Any anecdotes, advice, recommendations, etc ?

Will direct Russ this way .. will make a change from him posting pics of scooters everyday

Do the 'Northern crew' now have their own alternative avenue for posting (as, apart from you, none of them hardly ever post on here now) - instagram,etc ?

nothing like that .. just a whatsapp group

I love them, I first rode in one in 1955 and lots of friends have had them over the years. Changing gear on the preselect box is a leisurely affair. It’s a manual with servo changes.

All but the 23s are slow but they cruise fast and ride and handle superbly.

I’ve owned a two 2CVs, GS1220, BX19GTI and 2 x XMs all pure genius. I’d have bought the last DS were it not for its size and Citroen’s tech support.

My son is in the process of doing a total restoration of an ex Gestapo, ex Jersey, French built Traction 11BL. They too are something special, brilliant design and very influential. Even E Types use their front suspension.

Get one, you’ll love it.

A friend of mine has a semi-auto which I have driven a couple times a few years ago but unfortunately it is now laid up as it needs a fair amount of metalwork. It was previously his dad's car and he was heavily into DS's.

It was silky smooth and gave a very civilised drive - it was the brake pedal that took some time getting used to as it was a similar to a large rubber button on the floor if I remember correctly. It seemed to be on or off!

Very cool cars.

EDIT: After reading above maybe it was a preselect?

You must have seen and studied the SOS and Wheeler Dealer programs on them.
Both make them seem quite easy to fix with good spares etc.
Both equally thought they were superb when done.

Saw a few at the recent NEC show, one well stripped down, and the suspension did look like a lot of pipes everywhere, but rest looked ok.

I would like one myself but it would never fit in my small garage.

Lovely in classic French metallic blue.

911hillclimber wrote:You must have seen and studied the SOS and Wheeler Dealer programs on them.

Sorry - can't bear to watch anything with Mike Brewer in it - find him extremely irritating ...

I did seek out Jay Leno's video on his DS (he is someone whose opinion I'd value) - he couldn't praise it highly enough.

I knew I had watch a video recently, just forgot it was Leno.
His car is of course rather nice.
Brewer drives me nuts too as does Tim Shaw....

Hope you get one and spill the beans after a long trip.

Best Buy one for a premium price from a known specialist because it’s cheaper in the long run. I looked at loads before I bought my 356C, all dreadful despite the claims, but a photographer we use has an absolute beauty he uses as regular transport, drives it everywhere and loves it. It’s been no trouble and they’re not difficult to maintain, but they are expensive to rebuild.

A lot of reading on this link.....

https://petrolicious.com/?s=Citroen+ds&type=any

Typed a lengthy reply, hit send then it disappeared!
In short semi auto, 1968 or 1969 model
DS21
Best combo of turning lights and nice features! Including older style dash

I have had over 40 in my time
They are reliable dependable cars, great cruisers and surprisingly quick cross country
Parts supply is good with well over 1M built and a small band of dedicated specialists

Happy to answer any question

The unit next to Chris Turner's in Dollis Hill is/was a DS specialist.

No idea if that's stlll here, just mentioning in case useful as someone for you to chat to / help source a decent one.

I nearly bought a DS Safari in 1990. Fortunately my dad stepped in, showed me how rusty it was, and pointed me elsewhere.
Back then that seemed like dodging a bullet.
Fast forward 30 years and I wish I'd bought it anyway, and could now include a DS on my 'cars owned list'.

Every time I see a DS I swoon, and get my camera out.
The DS ambulance is far from a pretty shape, but this one I saw in Amsterdam last Autumn had a Ghostbusters kind of cool:







Buy a DS23 Andy, I'd love to hitch a lift!

Inviting!

I share your views on Mike Brewer Andy but the wheeler dealer episode on the DS is worth getting hold of as it’s mainly Edd China working on it