5 ms·

The inclusion of a Citroën DS is nice (as an owner of '74 model, I am a little biased), but it's weird that he doesn't mention the Citroën CX, the fruits of de

by Svip 8y ago

The inclusion of a Citroën DS is nice (as an owner of '74 model, I am a little biased), but it's weird that he doesn't mention the Citroën CX, the fruits of de Casteljau's labours. It's call the CX because it refers to the coefficient of drag (Cd in English, but CX in French). I have the definitive book on the CX, de originale Citroën CX (it's in Dutch)[0], and they spend a lot of time discussing the mathematics of the design. It's only unfortunate that I don't own a CX (although I used to have a '85 TRS 22, but it was in too bad shape to keep). [0] See here for an English article discussing the book: https://citroenvie.com/new-citroen-cx-book-available/ https://citroenvie.com/new-citroen-cx-book-available/

jacquesm 8y ago
I've had both. The DS was pretty much indestructible, drove it all throughout Europe including the former Eastblock when it was still called that. The occasional repair of the exhaust system with tin cans and steel wire were the only repairs it needed. The CX was a different matter. I had two of these, the first dropped its engine on A4 somewhere between Amsterdam and The Hague, the second one blew a hole in a piston. Both within a few weeks of buying them. So maybe it is not so bad that you don't have a CX, and consider me jealous with your DS, the 74 is the last year they were made iirc, and if you maintain it well will likely outlast you. As comfy a ride as you'll likely ever have, even today very little comes close.
- Svip 8y ago
  The DS was built all the way into 1975, although considering '74 the last is not far off. As I understand CX reliability, it's generally advised to avoid mid-80s carburettor and diesel models. If you want a CX, they say Prestige, Turbo I or II or GTI. All other models are basically not worth the trouble. But the TRS I had was also badly maintained by the previous owner, which is why I eventually abandoned it and got a '98 Xantia Activa V6 instead. That being said, I still want a CX, just a good one. And they do exist (good ones). As for the DS being indestructible, the engine definitely was, but the body work would often erode in northern climates like mine (Denmark). And particularly at 40+ years of age, there are signs of its age. Fortunately, mine runs fine, so I hope to keep it at least for another 20 years.
  - jacquesm 8y ago
    Yes, rust is a real problem with those cars but you can protect against it. There are also many body panels (doors, fenders) made out of fiberglass with internal re-inforcement, purists obviously hate these but they deal with the rusty panels problem once and for all. The roof is already fibreglass so at least that won't ever rust even in the originals. I've never seen a DS Berline made in 75, the one I drove a lot was made Nov '74 and it was the newest that I've seen, my other one was from '68 (officially an ID 19B). There are however a lot of Breaks from '75. As for the rust problem, the 'good' DSs were all striped down to bare metal, sandblasted and welded up then coated in tectyl or some other rust protector inside and out, an original, unrestored DS in good condition is something I haven't seen in many years. Maybe there are a couple in storage somewhere. Here in NL we still have several DS specialists, most notably Auto Renaissance in Amsterdam. There is also a company that converts Breaks into Decapotables, but that's not really my cup of tea. Though in convertible form it still is the most beautiful car there is to me. Much good luck with your goddess, if you ever need parts that you can't get let me know and I'll see how warm my contacts in that scene are. Edit: Amazing, I just checked, the license of my other DS/ID (not the one I took on long trips abroad) is still alive a good 20 years after I last saw the car, but it appears to be taken of the road when I sold it in 1998. DE-70-72 sits in a storage space somewhere. Let's hope one day someone puts it back on the road, I'd be happy to buy it today if I knew who the owner was.
    - Svip 8y ago
      I suppose saying that the DS was built into '75 is more interesting than useful. You'll be hard pressed to find a D Berline model from '75. According to the Original Citroën DS book from 1996, only 847 DS's were built in 1975 (compared to 40'039 in '74). I am also fortunate to know a great DS specialist here in Denmark, who mostly imports his spare parts from the Netherlands and Germany, since that's where the good parts come from these days (Chinese parts have only gotten better in looking good, not actually working). In appreciation (and for helping working on my cars), I build him a website. That being said, I do like actually working on the cars myself, but there are limits to what I can do when I live in a flat in the city. But don't worry, my cars are both parked in garages, as I want these to last a few more decades. The previous owner of my DS actually sandblasted it.

by Svip 8y ago

jacquesm 8y ago

I've had both. The DS was pretty much indestructible, drove it all throughout Europe including the former Eastblock when it was still called that. The occasional repair of the exhaust system with tin cans and steel wire were the only repairs it needed. The CX was a different matter. I had two of these, the first dropped its engine on A4 somewhere between Amsterdam and The Hague, the second one blew a hole in a piston. Both within a few weeks of buying them. So maybe it is not so bad that you don't have a CX, and consider me jealous with your DS, the 74 is the last year they were made iirc, and if you maintain it well will likely outlast you. As comfy a ride as you'll likely ever have, even today very little comes close.

Svip 8y ago
The DS was built all the way into 1975, although considering '74 the last is not far off. As I understand CX reliability, it's generally advised to avoid mid-80s carburettor and diesel models. If you want a CX, they say Prestige, Turbo I or II or GTI. All other models are basically not worth the trouble. But the TRS I had was also badly maintained by the previous owner, which is why I eventually abandoned it and got a '98 Xantia Activa V6 instead. That being said, I still want a CX, just a good one. And they do exist (good ones). As for the DS being indestructible, the engine definitely was, but the body work would often erode in northern climates like mine (Denmark). And particularly at 40+ years of age, there are signs of its age. Fortunately, mine runs fine, so I hope to keep it at least for another 20 years.
- jacquesm 8y ago
  Yes, rust is a real problem with those cars but you can protect against it. There are also many body panels (doors, fenders) made out of fiberglass with internal re-inforcement, purists obviously hate these but they deal with the rusty panels problem once and for all. The roof is already fibreglass so at least that won't ever rust even in the originals. I've never seen a DS Berline made in 75, the one I drove a lot was made Nov '74 and it was the newest that I've seen, my other one was from '68 (officially an ID 19B). There are however a lot of Breaks from '75. As for the rust problem, the 'good' DSs were all striped down to bare metal, sandblasted and welded up then coated in tectyl or some other rust protector inside and out, an original, unrestored DS in good condition is something I haven't seen in many years. Maybe there are a couple in storage somewhere. Here in NL we still have several DS specialists, most notably Auto Renaissance in Amsterdam. There is also a company that converts Breaks into Decapotables, but that's not really my cup of tea. Though in convertible form it still is the most beautiful car there is to me. Much good luck with your goddess, if you ever need parts that you can't get let me know and I'll see how warm my contacts in that scene are. Edit: Amazing, I just checked, the license of my other DS/ID (not the one I took on long trips abroad) is still alive a good 20 years after I last saw the car, but it appears to be taken of the road when I sold it in 1998. DE-70-72 sits in a storage space somewhere. Let's hope one day someone puts it back on the road, I'd be happy to buy it today if I knew who the owner was.
  - Svip 8y ago
    I suppose saying that the DS was built into '75 is more interesting than useful. You'll be hard pressed to find a D Berline model from '75. According to the Original Citroën DS book from 1996, only 847 DS's were built in 1975 (compared to 40'039 in '74). I am also fortunate to know a great DS specialist here in Denmark, who mostly imports his spare parts from the Netherlands and Germany, since that's where the good parts come from these days (Chinese parts have only gotten better in looking good, not actually working). In appreciation (and for helping working on my cars), I build him a website. That being said, I do like actually working on the cars myself, but there are limits to what I can do when I live in a flat in the city. But don't worry, my cars are both parked in garages, as I want these to last a few more decades. The previous owner of my DS actually sandblasted it.