Klaas has a nice life. By nature, most people like to do what they are good at. During his working life, Klaas was an optician who provided eye measurements, glasses and contact lenses. Now as a pensioner, the focus is on preserving, collecting old-timers and classics within the Historical Association of the Netherlands (HAV).
Contribution to fun
Klaas is a great enthusiast of oldtimers and youngtimers and owns this genius French automobile, the striking milestone in the Citroën-history. Klaas is addicted to metal and he cannot elaborate on it without the words coming like a dike breach. It's a harmless addiction, but he likes to share it with fellow sufferers.
Citroën DS 23 Injection Electronic
As a passionate enthusiast, the entire history of the DS is presented on the table, an archive that is centimeters thick shows the entire history. From the purchase receipt, to the previous owners in France. The power source is a 2300 injection engine with an halfaautomatic, and the very luxurious Pallas version has a very special color: Scarabee Brun. Information that is of great importance and adds value to the DS.
A dive into the past
As a 20-year-old, Klaas had a part-time job as a DJ and liked to drive the DS, then the rustiest ones. (Because they were affordable.) But of course he has also driven other cars in his life, mainly Volkswagen, of which he still has a warm heart for the classic models. But... really old love doesn't rust. He couldn't resist the temptation and flirted again in 2012 with his old French love, the DS 23 Pallas is proof! The touch of French blood turns out to be ineradicable.
Citroën deserves respect
Klaas: “The shape of the car was nothing like any other car. Offered space, look at that interior. But the most important technical innovation was the hydropneumatic suspension system. This makes the DS extremely comfortable. It was a worthy successor to the Citroën Traction Avant. The fact is that prices have risen enormously, and the price tag that used to be on the car at the dealer has been overtaken for quite some time. My DS is also maintenance-intensive as a classic car. Still understandable when you know that my DS has already reached the age of 50? Citroën deserves respect for its revolutionary cars, the artwork still motivates me every day and therefore remains in my circle of pleasure.”
Wealth
It shows up in every story. Wealth is not only possession, but also adventure and experiences, in friendships and the meaning of the car hobby is valuable to many people with a warm car heart.
A DS is not really known for being reliable. In the 21 years I've had our 1972 DSuper, it hasn't let me down in the last 20 years. Before that, there were problems due to overdue maintenance and a lot of downtime from the previous owner. After holidays in the south of France and Switzerland, we also dared to take a holiday to Iceland in 2017, 5200 trouble-free kilometers in 3 weeks
Nice finish and special color. I have a second nose myself, Id 19b. Owned for over 20 years now. I enjoy it so much. I can write a book about it.
About the maintenance sensitivity: I have had good experiences. Every car from that time required a few more hours of work for a good service than a current car. Compare: A 2CV is known as super simple, but if you first have to remove the fenders for a service and you regularly have to adjust the frotteurs, that would not be seen as simple (read cheap) nowadays.
If you keep track of it a bit under the hood with a DS, it is never cluttered there. Also for the suspension: bad name but maintenance and prevention work wonders. Driving: rest, then wear parts will last a long time.
Tip: Do not opt for the cheapest parts/spare parts, but take quality into consideration. Compare a part price to that of a modern car. It's better then, isn't it?
Same for the carriage. Prevention and direct intervention in case of malheur, then everything remains manageable for a long time.
“La déesse, a apprécier dans son Jus”, because that is ultimately what she is meant for.
Just a bit additional.
A DS is a comfortable driving hotel lounge (5+ star resort). The CX is a super moving living room (luxury bungalow, WOZ toppie).
That's like the difference between an AMI6 and an AMI8. But both of them have received fewer stars and a lower WOZ value.
It was “Love at first sight” for me in 1956, and it is to this day
still today. Unbeatable, not even by Citroëns designs
that came after the DS. I love my CX, but compared to the DS it's still rubbish.
Many fond memories of this lady. 1968 with my grandfather in the back seat of his egg yellow ID with black roof. What a luxury! later in the DS gray with black roof and red velvet upholstery great car. From Dealer den Ouden in Rotterdam.
Many fond memories of this lady. 1968 with my grandfather in the back seat of his egg yellow ID with black roof. What a luxury! later in the DS gray with black roof and red velvet upholstery great car. From Dealer den Ouden in Rotterdam.
For almost 20 years I can call myself castodian of a DSuper from '73 in Blanc Meije.
While not a Pallas, driving remains a non-comparable experience.
The only real flaw; a much too small heater radiator that has difficulty demisting the windscreen ... so don't drive in damp weather.
Soooo nice car. Just the sight is addictive. Then we haven't even talked about the driving characteristics..... Phenomenal!!!
About a light year ahead of its time.
I remember a day near the agricultural practical school in Barneveld in September 1979… there was a snack car just outside the gate that only had frozen croquettes.
Of course it took us a while to realize that… there was also one Citroen DS with a running engine from someone who had also ordered something…you could tell that the engine was running by the gray plumes of smoke coming out of the exhaust, but the engine ran absolutely silently…….
I too have been under the influence of it for 19 years since I was 36, after my very first DS Citroen virus, it really never lets you go.
As a little guy with my father in his DS, I didn't want to leave the vehicle at destination, now that there has been such a wonderfully floating iron in my life since last year, I always regret getting out.
If the rust and the hydraulique are neatly under control, she will never let you down and you will arrive at your destination more rested and relaxed everywhere. Besides that a good copy still increases in value, driving is a party in itself, smiling faces and thumbs up are your share and the effect on small children is hilarious, they stare at you with their mouths open while they give father with all their might or pulling Mother's coat or pressing the wide-eyed face against the window of the passing lease glance.
As far as I'm concerned love for life 😍
Funny I always have that experience with children, sitting on the back of ma's they pull her coat like look what kind of spaceship is coming! Smiling faces are my share, enjoy right?
Groet
Joost
A true goddess!
I have had exactly the same type, version and color, but in fully automatic Borg Warner container. Bought a NL DS in 1991, had some partial restoration done in 95, so she was in perfect condition again. In 1991 and 92 full of relief goods to Romania everyone said you dare, well she held up perfectly especially on those very bad roads at the time, very comfortable! Only at the border where others had to open the boot lid did I have to open the hood! Customs wanted to see what was under the hood because you never came across such a car here, they walked around it a dozen times, isn't it beautiful! . La Deeesse has always been stored indoors, after 28 years of being connected, it was only sold once to Alberto in Milan. The man himself has a DS and DS break and a DS convertible, but he did not have a fully automatic machine and that was exactly what he wanted, but yes there was only one for sale in NL so the three of them came to look and during the test drive Alberto said automatique! automatic ! he was wildly enthusiastic, and the sale went through. Picked up a week later and driving to Milan no problem. I am still in contact with Alberto, he wanted to restore the DS, but now he says it is not really necessary yet. Alberto is a restaurateur at Mac Restauri Citroen DS Milan. Take a look at the site and see how they restore La Deesse I think one of the best restorers in Europe specialized in DS. (Mac Restauri does not buy and sell, they restore on behalf of). With tears in my eyes but still happy that she ended up with an enthusiast, I said goodbye.