Citroen DS20 Decapotable

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A mere 10 years after the end of World War Two, Citroen leapt onto the world stage in a storm of publicity surrounding the launch of their ground-breaking new DS, a car which boasted more technological innovations in a single model than has ever been seen since.

Not only did it look completely different, it used a brilliant high-pressure hydraulic circuit to power almost all of its functions, including brakes, power steering, suspension and even a power-assisted gear shift. From 1967 the headlights swivelled with the front wheels, lighting the way as the car was hurled into corners. Undoubtedly one of the greatest industrial designs of all time, as late as 2009 it was voted ‘most beautiful car of all time’ by a panel of 20 world famous designers. So right was the initial concept that it remained in production substantially unaltered for two decades.

In 1958 French coachbuilder Henri Chapron produced a fully convertible version of the DS, public reception being so enthusiastic that Citroen soon brought him on board to design a production model, the Decapotable Usine, which was available through the dealer network. Considerably more expensive than the saloon, the two-door convertible sold in small numbers, only 1,365 in total between 1960 and 1971, and a good one will set you back at least £150k today.

This 1969 DS20 was imported to the UK in 1998 where it was converted into a Decapotable by the Oxford French Car Company and used as their demonstrator. Believed to be one of only three such conversions they made, the work has been carried out to a very high standard and only the most ardent Citroen buff would be able to distinguish it from a genuine one – it even has a Chapron plate under the bonnet.

Our vendor is only the second UK owner and has owned the DS since 2006. He has maintained the car religiously and has used it extensively both here and abroad, including a trip to the Italian DS gathering in Rimini in 2017 when it never missed a beat, cruising happily at 80mph and winning an award for furthest travelled car (2,400 miles). In 2016 it was loaned to Practical Classics magazine for a trip to Paris and back which it also completed without drama.

In 2014 it was treated to a bare metal repaint in Gris Palladium which cost £11,400 and in 2015/16 it went back to the Citroen Conservatoire in Aulnay-sous-Bois where it was given a thorough mechanical overhaul by AD Loisirs at a cost of over £10,000. This included a full engine rebuild with new pistons etc, an overhaul of the brakes and suspension and a new wiring loom.

Other servicing work has been carried out by Citroen Classics of Staines and it was last serviced by marque-specialists BL Autos of Welwyn Garden City in August 2017. Other expenditure in the current ownership has included a new power steering rack, new starter motor, a speedo rebuild in 2007 plus a host of other items. A semi-automatic model, it also has a wonderful Jaeger Sports dash, a full leather interior, swivelling headlights and a stainless steel exhaust.

On offer here at a fraction of the price of a genuine factory-built Decapotable, this expertly maintained and regularly used DS has an MOT until May 2020 with no advisories recorded. Running beautifully when we were treated to an enjoyable test drive on the occasion of our visit, it will be driven some 50 miles to the sale and is ready for a new owner to enjoy right away.