Citroën DS – An Icon Turns 70

Autoworld Museum, Brussels, Belgium

Until June 29, 2025

Autoworld Brussels couldn’t fail to celebrate the anniversary of the Citroën DS, which turns 70 in 2025, hence the title of the exhibition “Citroën DS – An Icon turns 70”. From the moment of its introduction at the 1955 Paris Motor Show, the DS made its mark, representing a real stylistic and technical revolution. Customers were enthusiastic, and order forms filled up at a rate never seen before (and never seen since). Beyond this revolution, the DS became a true automotive icon, not least for its unique styling.

Almost 1.5 million units* were produced over a period of 20 years, with only minor styling changes. As a symbol of this stylistic success, the DS has been exhibited in numerous museums, including the MOMA in New York and the Louvre in Paris. It was named “most beautiful car of all time” in 1999 by an international jury of automotive designers and was part of the selection for the “Automobile Design and Art” exhibition at Autoworld in 2024, alongside such sporting stars as the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing, the Ferrari 250 SWB, the Jaguar E-Type and the Lamborghini Miura!

In all, some fifteen models tell the story of the DS**, with the 3 engines 1.9L, 2.1L and 2.3L, carburetor and electronic injection versions (one of the first production cars equipped with this technology), the ID** variant (simplified version), the 2 “classic” body styles sedan and station wagon, and the various finishes Confort, Pallas and the extremely rare “Prestige”.

Of course, the famous, rare and highly coveted “factory” convertible designed by Chapron is also present, here in a 1969 version 21. Only 1,325 “factory” convertible were produced, which explains its rarity.

DS hydropneumatic suspension ensured comfort and stability, making it a relevant choice for ambulances. So much so, in fact, that Citroën included this type of version in its catalog! The version on display is a DS 23 from 1973, which benefited from a number of specific modifications, and remained in service until 2008 – a long life indeed…

But the Autoworld exhibition also features a number of original models, such as this ID 21 Break (Station Wagon) “Stradographe”, a laboratory vehicle used to measure the roughness and slipperiness of road surfaces. Just as rare, but in very different styles, visitors will also discover 2 DS with a sportier character. The DS 21 “short wheelbase” was inspired by Bob Neyret’s DS prototype, winner of the 1969 Rallye du Maroc. It was built by Marcel Lavalle and took part in numerous rallies in France and Europe. The GT 19 Bossaert is also a “short wheelbase” DS, designed by Frua and assembled by Hector Bossaert, a garage owner from Lille. The model on display, dating from 1963, is the only surviving coupé of the 11 built.

3 “artistic” DS are presented. The “DS Totem” is a life-size vertical sculpture, which was presented at the 1962 Paris Motor Show. The “DS Balloons” was created in 1959 for an advertisement illustrating the comfort of its hydropneumatic suspension. The 2025 DS Balloons is a recreation based on a 1st-generation DS, stripped of its mechanical components but with its interior, and mounted on 4 balloons. It was prepared for the Rétromobile Paris show 2025 anniversary exhibition.

Photos of the DS Balloons are the property of Automobile-Museusms, no reproduction rights without the express consent of the copyright holder.

Finally, the “Flying DS” was commissioned from designer Philippe Swimberghe for the “Permis de conduire” (Driving License) exhibition (Musée des Arts et Métiers, Paris, October 2022 – May 2023), an evocation of the flying DS in the 1965 “Fantomas” movie.

For Citroën, the DS is such an icon that it gave its name to a model with the 2010 DS 3, before DS Automobiles became a fully-fledged brand of the Stellantis Group. 2 cars illustrate this new life for DS, the “DS 7 Crossback President”, a unique model specially made for the investiture of the 25th President of the French Republic, which made its first official outing on May 14, 2017 with Emmanuel Macron. It continues the great tradition of Citroën Presidentials. The latest DS N°8, a 100% electric SUV, will also be on display at the museum.