Citroen DS23 Safari

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A mere ten 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 innovation in one new model than has been seen anywhere since.

The all new DS caused an absolute sensation when it was unveiled in 1955 at the Grand Palais, offering a glimpse of a braver, brighter future in a world still labouring under drab post-war rations and restrictions. It was the stuff of dreams.

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 even swiveled with the front wheels, lighting the way the car was actually about to travel. Undoubtedly one of the greatest industrial designs of all time, even today, cars as technologically sophisticated as this are few and far between. So right was the initial concept that it remained in production substantially unaltered for two decades.

The hydro-pneumatic self-levelling suspension had first been tried on the top-of-the-range Traction Avant. It used clever nitrogen filled spheres and hydraulic oil (rather than water as its name might suggest) and through a system of valves and pumps kept the car at a constant height, giving fully independent suspension and effective damping all at the same time. The ride and high-speed stability was (and is) a sensation, a feature used to advantage in six-wheeled versions used to rush first edition copies of ‘Le Monde’ newspaper to the South of France overnight at ultra-high speeds.

The power units were carried over from the Traction Avant and were not quite as ‘state of the art’, but the whole driving experience was so fantastic that it was an instant hit. On the day of its debut, more than 12,000 orders were taken, confirming that the bravery of the management to introduce such a technological ‘tour de force’ was fully justified.

From 1958 an estate version was made available, offering a massive amount of interior space, self-levelling suspension and seating for seven. Sold across world markets under a number of different names, the ‘Break’ as it was known in France was marketed as the ‘Safari’ in the UK and remained on the price list until the new and almost equally appealing CX arrived in 1975.

This superb DS23 Safari was sold new by Wingrove Motors in Newcastle and was first registered on 1st September 1973. Specified with the five-speed manual gearbox, the original bill of sale shows that it cost its new owner £2,005. He ran it until 1981 when it was stored away in his garage. During his 37-year ownership he kept a detailed log of every journey, including mileage, fuel and oil used, the total distance covered amounting to 73,000 miles, all in the first eight years.

The vendor, who is only the second owner, acquired the car in 2010 as a restoration project, a painstaking operation which has taken five years to complete. The bodywork was stripped for assessment which proved that despite its careful first owner, minimal mileage and dry storage, Citroen had spent less time on corrosion protection than they had on groundbreaking technological developments!

A large number of photographs of the restoration show how the structure of the car was beautifully repaired with various new box sections, sills and inner wings. The outer panels (most of which are bolt-on) were also repaired with new sections at the lower edges including the doors and tailgate. Professionally repainted in black with correct beige roof and tailgate, the exterior of the car was finished off with refurbished wheels and new tyres.

The inside was also stripped and the original seat covers thoroughly cleaned. Apart from a minor split in the driver's seat base, they are in excellent condition, although a pair of new front seat covers are also included in the sale - as is a rare front arm-rest, examples of which are changing hands for as much as £150!  Both front door cards were beyond repair so new ones were made, the vendor advising that the headlining is the original and shows several areas of wear and tear, replacements being currently unobtainable. He adds that the dashboard is particularly good, along with the funky single-spoke steering wheel, an item usually prone to cracking and sun damage.

The engine was removed during the renovation process, cleaned and given a thorough check-over which completed the comprehensive restoration work. Having barely been run over the last five years, the vendor tells us that it could do with a good service and that the clutch now needs some adjustment. It is MOTd until October 2016.

With just 74,000 miles on the clock, this two owner car is now too good for the owner to use as his everyday hack as he had originally intended. His loss is definitely your gain, a mountain of hard work having gone into the rust-prone bodywork to produce the fine black finish you see today which sets the red cloth interior off to a tee.

This late 1973 Safari has one of the most desirable specs available with its 2.3-litre engine and long-legged five-speed gearbox and can be used straight away. Family holiday to the South of France anyone?