1971 Citroën DSpecial.
In 1999, Olivier Houiller of ‘French Classics’ sourced this very original, well looked after, low mileage DS for one of his customers and imported it from France. It was used as a wedding car before we bought in 2006 and have covered about 12,000 miles during our 19 years of ownership.
During our first few years, the following parts were replaced in order to return the car back into tip-top mechanical condition: Clutch, timing chain, Pleiades powered steering rack, all suspension & accumulator spheres, starter motor, overhauled alternator, exhaust manifold & downpipes plus stainless flexi-pipe etc (plus all the usual service items of course). Recently both rear suspension rods, balls & gaiters, the front bump-stops & both rear exhaust pipes have all been replaced.
In 2012, the mot tester advised on a small area of rust under the passenger side front floor, so we arranged to have that done (the only welding the car has ever needed) and, as there was also some rust showing at the bottom of a door, we decided that we would treat the car to a full 5-month restoration of all body-panels (including stainless bottoms to all doors), a complete respray in original colour (AC087 Beige Albatross) and a full waxoyl treatment to preserve it.
In addition, the car has had a new windscreen, full interior headlining (including rear side headrests & rear shelf), dash panel overhaul, & carpeting throughout including boot floor & cover panel.
The car has mainly been used in good weather, for trips out, classic car gatherings and for Citroën-related events plus a few weddings, and most recently our neighbour’s school prom. It has been ultra-reliable over our 19 years, and any work required has been done meticulously, with attention to detail, to ensure continued reliability (and cleanliness!).
It has the benefit of some higher-spec additional accessories, including front headrests & front centre armrest (in addition to the standard rear armrest), front & rear inertia-reel seat belts plus a rear lap-belt, a Blaupunkt radio cassette in a period-accessory centre-console, carpeted cover over the lower boot space, towbar with electrics, spare-wheel oil & jack carrier and electronic ignition.
The car comes with two sets of keys, its original owner’s handbook, service book & dealer guide from 1971, plus the Blaupunkt documentation from a little later. We also have all the Mot certificates/printouts from UK registration in 1999 to 2003 (during previous ownerships) and from 2005 to 2017 (also available online from 2006) plus thirteen years of old tax discs!
First registered in France on 22nd March 1971. Registered in the UK on 17th August 1999. It is tax-exempt. It is also mot-exempt but will be sold with a new mot (& 4 new tyres). Any specialist inspection is welcome.
As you can see from the photos, this car is stunning. However, the photos do not do the car justice! You need to see it for yourself.