Citroën DS 21 Pallas 1972 tribute

I filmed this in June 2022 as a tribute to my dad’s 1972 Citroen DS 21 Pallas which he acquired in 2010 from a San Francisco resident. It was imported from France to California in 1972 (note the Parisian license plate ending in 75) and has stayed in California since then. Dad has lovingly restored the DS inside and out over the years. The transmission and engine was recently completely rebuilt in 2022, with excellent work done by Citroen Classics of America. The cooling system, brakes, hydraulics, and fuel system were overhauled as well. Thanks to Paul of Citroen Classics for giving this DS the mechanical work it deserves. Much respect to Citroen for innovating.
Unfortunately we must part with this wonderful piece of history. We hope the next custodian will provide the love it deserves for the next 50 years.
bringatrailer....
Chapters
0:12 Let’s go for a ride
1:26 Hydropneumatic suspension
1:52 On the freeway
2:15 Walk-around
3:33 Interior
#citroen
#classiccars
#carlover
#auto
#modernclassic

[@johnwaga3702]

Beautiful. The most innovative car of the 20th Century!

[@IDann1]

Just Imaginative if they carried on evolving and innovating.

[@johnwaga3702]

@@IDann1 That would have been awesome, especially if they had put a more advanced engine in!

[@peterstockhaus2709]

@@johnwaga3702 They did all that: It´s called Citroen SM.

[@johnwaga3702]

@@peterstockhaus2709 Which is also one of my favourite cars!

[@derekantill3721]

When introduced in 1955 as the DS 19 the Citroen was way ahead of its time. There simply was no other car on the road to compare. The DS in it’s variants went on to be an outstanding car throughout its production history.

[@willybledar]

🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷Magnifique DS 21 Ça fait plaisir de voir les voitures françaises si bien entretenues à l’étranger Prenez en grand soins

[@bernarddoubravass7123]

La pollution que nous payons aujourd'hui

[@willybledar]

@@bernarddoubravass7123 quelle pollution on parle de la beauté de la voiture

[@studiocalder818]

@LOLO / VAL Bravo, en plus nous en Europe pour une DS ou une Fiat 130 avions 10 Citroën 2CV et 20 FIAT 500

[@EigolOrcen]

@@bernarddoubravass7123 un râleur? étonnant.

[@landenleong8875]

Watching this brings back memories of my grandpa driving me to/from school. Lol I’d fall asleep in the car because it was such a comfy ride lol

[@davidhamer8333]

Beautiful car, they still look futuristic. Citroen had some fine engineers.

[@bertoverweel6588]

One of the most beautyful cars ever build !!!!

[@palco22]

"Was way ahead of it's time." in 1955/56..........and no one has caught up since ! Just an amazing machine !

[@stephenberry1205]

Fabulous car - gives me fond memories of my 1972 DS21 EFI Pallas 5 speed here in Australia. Magnificent high speed chariot for eating up the miles cocooned in legendary comfort and scent of French reindeer hide. Your dad's had the added delight of the hydraulic clutch semi auto which enhanced the unique DS experience, along with the mushroom button for the brakes and self levelling suspension. If it was a French car it would originally had glassed in turning and self leveling QI headlights instead if the basic US sealed beams.

[@georgesroch267]

Ah la Déesse, 🥰que de souvenirs d’enfance et de jeunesse! Avec les nouvelles technologies, pourquoi ne trouve-t-on plus de voitures comme ça? Silence, puissance, aérodynamique, autonomie, confort, souplesse, charme, majesté....aujourd’hui c’est presque voiture patate pour tout le monde et la voiture électrique commence à me donner des boutons...dommage !!.. J’attends toujours la résurrection de certaines voitures du passé avec les nouvelles techniques, sans look agressif, plus sages, de conception intelligente et faites pour durer !

[@bertrandlepelletier3786]

Félicitations votre Ds 21 est magnifique avec sa robe bleue , de voir cette auto circuler dans son nouvel environnement de vie avec un petit clin d'oeil à son histoire avec sa plaque minéralogique ancienne conservée à l'arrière , bravo superbe.

[@jip2971]

DS parisienne plaque 75

[@gerardboutonnet2187]

On dirait que la plaque en 75 est rouge ? Une vraie beauté ! Bravo

[@NicholasWarnertheFirst]

Fantastique

[@philipperineau4178]

La plaque rouge signifie que le véhicule a été acheté en France en hors taxes et est destiné à l'exportation. Le véhicule est aux normes du pays vers lequel il doit être exporté par l'acheteur. Dans ce cas, aux normes USA de l'époque. Ce sont les plaques dites TT, transit temporaire.

[@gerardboutonnet2187]

@@philipperineau4178 merci pour ta précision vis à vis de la plaque rouge. Je me souviens quand je passé mon permis auto il y a déjà 27 ans le moniteur me disais de m'éloigner le plus possible de ces véhicules au plaque rouge. Car en cas d'accident avec et bien c'est très compliqué pour faire le nécessaire... Bref je ne sais pas si c'est vrai 😃😃 ce que le moniteur m'a raconté.

[@paulmercier186]

A fellow IBM Engineer had one in the mid-70's. Did several inter-plant commutes down Vermont roads into the Hudson River Valley and in particular via the Taconic River Parkway. A great route to prove the ride, handling and aerodynamics of the Citroen. Free-wheeling it up & down the hilly Taconic was impressive. It would certainly coast ..... !

[@suntofornufto851]

I once owned a DS 21 Pallas from 1969, it was black with a fantastic comfortable leather upholstery. The suspension was extremely smooth and comfortable, the only downside was when the car started heaving on icy roads during winter, it was very unpredictable! The car had a semiautomatic gearbox manoeuvred by a lever at the wheel, when shifting gear the accelerator was pushed back automatically before the gear changed. Despite the fact that the car was decidedly underpowered, it was a very charming vehicle.

[@sl592]

Thanks for sharing Erling. I’ve always imagined what it would be like if Citroen had persevered with the more powerful engine that it was meant to have when they designed the DS.

[@ambrogiogatti3429]

Quando vedo immagini come queste dico : bisogna tornare a saper lavorare così !!!

[@nicolasroirand8011]

Bonjour , bravo , beau modèle . Notre fierté nationale . Prenez-en soins , merci . Au revoir .

[@thomasheitmann1804]

Citroën DS 🇨🇵

[@gerardborealis5161]

MAGNIFIQUE !

[@Michael-0000]

I remember seeing a lot of them when growing up in Rhodesia in the 70s. The kids with well heeled parents were dropped off and picked up in the Citroen DS Pallas. I was struck by the self raising and lowering suspension, the fact that the car could be driven on 3 wheels, and the headlights that swiveled to see around corners. The car seemed so luxurious and futuristic at the time!

[@paullacey2999]

Still amazing looking,even now😍

[@marian6593]

I'd happily sell my soul for that car. It's utterly beautiful 💖

[@StevenVanLoven]

What a great car and fantastic design . I remember them from my young days I didn't like them ... just because the dash was to high to look over it ... By getting older I believe this is a masterpiece in design . Enjoy your car.

[@searleflesher6689]

A really beautiful car and a gorgeous interior the colour of the seats and carpet are very 70s to see a car like this is amazing thank you for posting this video

[@belghalipierre2210]

Roulez en DS , c’est top!

[@Philobiblion]

What a beautiful essay. As a student in France in the mid-'60s I had a friend who drove a precursor of this car. This thing is in a class by itself. It's 50 years old, and today it would not fail to impress, both for luxe and performance.

[@joy2406]

Thank you, keep a great thing going

[@reechalee]

gorgeous car, a real icon from the 60s!

[@davidquincaine3048]

magnifique!!! merci de France!

[@davidtsog9419]

Souvenirs de mon enfance mon père possédait cette belle voiture de rêve nous allions de Paris vers l'Italie du Sud quelle belle époque la joie de vivre ces jours ci

[@sl592]

Thank you for sharing! Nothing but wonderful memories we all have riding in the DS

[@jfb_ventures]

It brings back so many memories. My late father had a DS18, then a DS19, and finally a DS21-5 - a manual shift 5-speed Citroën in metallic blue. He replaced it in 1974 with a Mercedes 240D but sorely missed the comfortable ride of his Citroën.

[@jgroot5617]

deze auto was qua model zn tijd ver vooruit en nog steeds supermooi om te zien

[@grandhomme4183]

Hey thanks bro for taking care of this DS! We the French really hate everything, but the DS? Man this is the only thing we love. So we love you for taking care of it! Bravo 🍾

[@anasalwash]

if you see this car young, it wont make any sense because nothing seems in place. But, growing older makes you appreciate it as revolutionary masterpiece

[@philader6206]

I love your car.. My uncle owned one of those beauties in France in the 70'.. she was green metalized colored ..remembering the interior was brown.. travelling inside this vessel was so cool and sweet..

[@2cartalkers]

Of all the cars made the Citroen DS 21 should be revived as a full EV, it has the aerodynamics and styling to make it a winner.

[@luciagordini7424]

Veramente una splendida regina della strada che si distinguerà per sempre per le sue particolarità uniche ed irripetibili perché è il modello più futuristico che sia mai stato prodotto !!

[@valevisa8429]

Now i know where Renault Gordini comes from.

[@E-LIB]

Une œuvre d'art. Et sûrement une voiture unique dans l'histoire de l'automobile. Bravo pour cette vidéo. 🇫🇷👍🥂

[@chrispark4310]

A beautiful and Californian DS! Toujours aussi belle et désirable! Keep taking good care of her

[@chrispark4310]

And the video shots on the Hiway are awesome!

[@jorgevalbuena8836]

gracias por compartirnos esta bella obra de arte en movimiento, cuando el diseño mecánico se convierte en arte

[@DeltaStar777]

Absolutely beautiful

[@albertseabra9226]

Wow, a Gorgeous, fabulous futuristic Car. Thank you for a fantastic video. Ir they were available today Brand new, I would be a buyer.

[@fernandolopes833]

Congrats! Your car looks amazing! Well done! Very happy for you

[@stephenscaife9993]

such a fantastic beautiful ikonic vehicle rivaled by only by a few . E type Jag being one.

[@arcenciel2968]

BMW e9 being another...

[@simonwolfe529]

Hey gys - well done !!! this must be the best video i've seen on the DS21, i have the very same car in Black with silver roof, great work guys can watch thiss all day love the DS ((and the BX16v))

[@MrJerobona]

Beautiful car! Congratulations to your Dad to keep it in pristine condition!

[@kevinbwillson4161]

One of their best ever! and they have many

[@tjittekamminga5170]

La Deesse! DS21, Etype & Concorde: the icons of the 20th century

[@patriciosilva1969]

A true and wonderful spaceship.

[@fredericdumont2965]

C'est la plus belle des DS que j'aurais vue à se jour super bien restauré bravo.

[@MrSparklespring]

Wonderfull piece of art, great restauration and superb colour! Congratulations!.

[@rodgy3099]

Innovative beauty....amazing car really

[@kenneth61]

It's still a spaceship among todays car.

[@elaspo]

Pure beauty.

[@joelcolechaferrando3377]

Vertaderament bell. Moltes gràcies per fer retornar aquest cotxe a la seua glòria.

[@will-lk7ew]

ma soeur a vue une fois une R5 dans new york je l'ai pas vraiment cru a l'époque mais maintenant belle voiture ca couleur est au top

[@gerardboutonnet2187]

Ils en ont importé des R5 leur nom sur place c'était "le car" . 😃

[@will-lk7ew]

@@gerardboutonnet2187 c'est vrais ? trop fort cocorico comme ont dit

[@francommejoel2572]

J'ai possédé une DS. Elle reste le meilleur souvenir automobile de ma vie.

[@Dixler683]

When I was in jr. high school a man had 2 in his back yard, 1 blue and 1 gray. It was 1968 when I finally got the courage to knock on his door and talk about the cars. I loved them, asked him to sell me one down the road if he decided to part with one. All through high school they sat. College they sat. Bought my 1st home in 1983 and a new car in 1986. Now that I was thoroughly in debt the man phoned the number I left with him. My mother called me and said a man wanted to know if I was still interested in the 2 Citroens. I went over to his home and the 2 cars were in exactly the same place except 20 years more beat. He explained it was time to part with the cars and I could have them for free. Being the total MORON I said thanks but no thanks. Kick myself every few years to never forget.

[@sl592]

Thanks so much for sharing! I’m beginning to really understand the lure of the DS. My dad’s first car was an ID 19 in the 50’s, but it was unfortunately short-lived since a valet driver drove it into a ditch and totaled it. Since then he’s had other non-Citroen cars. He came full circle and bought this DS as his last car and loved it. Personally I’m more into modern (recently manufactured) autos, but after getting to know the Citroen community and this car’s quirks and features, I see things differently now.

[@paulreilly3904]

@@sl592 hi, my first car was a CX 2400 gti bought second hand in 1985 with 48000 miles on the clock from S E Thomas dealership in Chiswick London for £3100. It is the successor to the DS and I wish I had it now. Your example is gorgeous, so elegant, and it shows you to be a man of quality and taste. Objects such as this add so much to your life, I hope you have it for a very long time.

[@alansharp1528]

Beautiful DS getting the care and attention she deserves.😎👍

[@jeffmorse645]

I was born in 1960 and I remember seeing these cars in Northern California as a kid. They were so unusual looking that a 10 year old would notice them. I guess they sold a decent number here because I would always point them out to my parents and tell them we ought to get one. 😄

[@tommartinek1769]

Beautiful car, perfect .

[@jfrancobelge]

In the past Citroën made great cars, cars with style, it was a brand that we Fench people were proud of. Those days are gone; now Citroën is just another car maker that manufactures bland an boring cars, like almost all its competitors nowadays. Replacing one's car has become as exciting as replacing one's old fridge.

[@michelrenard3897]

What a magnificent example of this legendary car! Coincidentally, I just met a DS this morning in a street in the city where I live, although they have become very rare in France. I didn't have time to see what model it was, but it was far from being as beautiful as yours! I myself owned a 1981 Citroën CX 2400 GTI, which was a bit of the heir to the DS 21, and which took over the hydro-pneumatic suspension. It was also a fantastic car for long distance driving, and I always regretted parting with it.

[@olivierclaudepetit8239]

Merci ,pour cette légende Française,au Etats Unis,, magnifique restauration,,,,,, BRAVO,,,,,,,,,❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@fixdelacroix-france7985]

Your DS is a jewel!Looks like brand new!Really beautiful.Thanks for sharing your video

[@fredoblue2178]

La plus belle et confortable voiture du monde 😍

[@MrChuckMaddox]

Bravo bravo !😊👍 quel splendide exemplaire de Citroën DS, la couleur est somptueuse l’état est exceptionnel, vous possédez vraiment une voiture d’exception. Respect ✊

[@alex630710]

Amazing looking car. Always loved Citroen .Take good care of her.

[@augure2589]

What a beauty! Greeting from the motherland of your car!

[@sl592]

I tip my hat to you🙏. I’m lucky to have an iconic car that is admired worldwide.

[@augure2589]

@@sl592 my grand father had two of these (not palace, but still), it’s so iconic in France, good clinical stock model can value over 100K $!

[@augure2589]

0 answer i guess. Try to speak🙂

[@sl592]

@@augure2589 well I am shocked at the potential value that you mention above. I may look to advertise the DS since it does not get much use and enjoyment nowadays. 😌

[@luisre7202]

Impecable!!! Maravilloso auto y qué suspención tenía!!!! Excelente!!!! 😀👍👏🇦🇷

[@Tinovodanovic]

What a beautiful blue color absolutely love this car.

[@sebastienbiron6124]

Elle est très propre, bravo

[@steveblanco7494]

Work of Art.*****

[@carltwidle3287]

Fabulous car!. Beautiful condition. It almost looks like a UFO has landed as it cruises down the highway amongst the traffic. Great car design. 🚗 I live here in New Zealand and not many of these were sold here. I liked the Safari station wagon too. From Carl.

[@johnwaga3702]

The Safari estate version had an incredible amount of load space, the CX Safari was also awesome in that respect.

[@carltwidle3287]

@@johnwaga3702 😊Thanks for replying. I liked the CX model too. Yes they have huge luggage space.

[@SantiagoGonzalez-pj8it]

....impecable, elegante!! cualquiera diría que tiene 50 años los coches de hoy con la décima parte de vida están decrépito. Mi enhorabuena al afortunado propietario, un amigo de Vigo, España.

[@Sneekystick]

Looks so comfy!

[@dominiquetortrat2956]

14 ans en DS. ID 19. DS 20. 21 .23. Conservation de l’une d’elles La reine de la route ; confort , freinage , suspension hydropneumatique , avec une tenue de route extraordinaire. Il fallait oser à l’époque pour donner un tel nom à cette voiture ; ça été le bon DEESSE. La seule auto au monde considérée comme une œuvre d’art ; on doit la silhouette à FLAMINIO BERTONI peintre sculpteur embauché par CITROEN ; moulage à l’argile. Il voulait faire de cette auto une œuvre d’art Toutefois un regret ; l’absence d’un moteur 6 cylindres sur les séries 23 ; la voiture aurait pu prendre facilement 50 k/h tellement l’auto collait au sol. ANDRE CITROEN décédé en 1935 n’a malheureusement pas connu ce mythe automobile 👍👍👍

[@albertschultz7151]

Probably one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

[@JCPATRIOTEANONYMOUSFRANCE]

INCREDIBLE CAR AND MOVIE !!! THANKS AND BEST REGARD OF FRANCE !!!

[@rogerpritchard]

Great design let down by the engine. Great car in stunning condition.

[@sl592]

Yep- imagine if they had committed to the engine that the DS was meant to have.

[@matthiashaenni]

I have always liked this car and its gorgeous shape! The blue paintwork suits the care very well. Excellent video!

[@sl592]

Thank you! Btw, I love your channel!

[@matthiashaenni]

@@sl592 Thank you so much!! Nice to hear. I want to motivate you more such great videos. Love it.

[@titanus49]

The license plate on the rear of the car, which is hiding under the California plate indicates that this car was originally from the Paris area, because of the number 75 at the end. The number 75 is the code number for Paris and surrounding suburbs

[@emileokal7752]

Actually, the white on red plates were temporary registrations for cars bought tax-free and destined to be exported. This being said, yes the 75 was Paris. Tax-free cars with other department codes were extremely rare, since most import-export dealers were based in Paris. 75 originally was the code for the department "Seine" which included Paris and its nearest suburbs. Following a restructuration of the departments in the Ile-de-France region around 1965, 75 was restricted to the city of Paris, and the rest of the Seine was split between 92, 93 and 94. This system lasted until 2009, but the same codes are used for the postal ZIP codes: all codes in Paris are 75xxx, and in the immediate suburbs 92xxx, 93xxx and 94xxx. The farther suburbs are 77xxx, 78xxx, 91xxx and 95xxx.

[@geronimo6935]

Very beautiful DS, Magnifique ! Nice to drive a french car in USA and what car, THE car ! Take care of her ! And more vidéos in California please !:) From France

[@67000bull]

One of me all time favorite car if not the only all time favorite.

[@sergelibe4946]

Très belle merci !

[@Sibbe2560]

Still a modern car. What a beauty…😍

[@benben2846]

çà c'est de la caisse ! une sacrée voiture, je me rappelle mon grand-père et sa DS ^^

[@nicodem91]

Merci pour cette vidéo. Thank's a lot for this video.

[@mohgh1876]

A voir cette voiture, on dirait un rêve dans le futur. Elle ne fera jamais partie du passé.

[@jerrycallender9352]

Built for high-speed comfort. There has NEVER been another car to compare!

[@frankfriedrichheckmann3519]

Die Göttin ist einmalig und wunderschön

[@maurizioduca4864]

Fantastica Fantastica Fantastica

[@danielovejero8963]

Huy un excelente producto de la industria automotriz francesa.....un vehículo muy avanzado para la época, con suspensión hidro neumática y un confort inigualable. El motor EXCELENTE.

[@jean-yvesderick6085]

La DS 21 Pallas, dans tout ses films Louis de Funes rouler toujours en DS ! 😀 🇫🇷

[@richardwhite3458]

Tendría un acuerdo con la Citroën para hacer publicidad en la película 📽, se ha visto en un montón de series y peliculas 📼, lo mismo que en los 📢 anuncios pero con más extensión, si tenía exito la publicidad subliminal, quien podía 🤦‍♂️ picar, se acaba comprando el coche 🚙 Ñ

[@genekelly8467]

Still very advanced-the front seats were the most comfortable ZI have ever experienced. And the padded floor was nice! Too bad n they never market the car in the USA!

[@sl592]

The padded floor and seats really add to the riding experience, like stepping on a cloud and sitting on marshmallows. Add the hydropneumatic suspension and it’s a recipe for relaxing meditation, until you have to brake using that super sensitive button brake. 😂

[@johnmartin4650]

Loved that car even as a young boy…..thanks

[@dannytouet818]

J'aime l'autoradio avec les anciennes stations, France Inter, Europe1, BBC, Monte-Carlo, Luxembourg.👌

[@andreasmaier5361]

Citroen DS: one of most beautiful cars. Unfortunately when I was young that time I did not have enough money to afford a Citroen upper class neither a driver license. Now. I am now 65 and have another beauty. The C6 from Citroen. And, by the way since I made my driver license in 1975 I drove with one exception (a Volkswagen Beetle 1977) Citroen only. Citroen never built cars for the masses, but cars for individualists. Regards from Germany!

[@sl592]

Thank you so much for sharing! The C6 is a wonderful car

[@andreasmaier5361]

​@@sl592 But very expensive on repairments when it becomes old. As for women. A cosmetic surgery here. A cosmetic surgery there. Well. Life is beautiful, but expensive. You can also have life cheaper. But then, unfortunately, it is no longer so beautiful. Thanks for the heart! And good luck with you fantastic DS!

[@manolin8707]

Para mí, sigue siendo el coche más bonito que se ha hecho en el mundo. Ya pueden inventar todo lo qque quieran loss demás, pero jamás superarán al DS 21 !!!!

[@meggodlewski6130]

My Dad had one in dark blue. He lived in Saratoga CA -- I have been looking for it for years. I wish I had the VIN. It had a custom plate: LA FRANZ.

[@juandapena1429]

El coche que viajó al futuro cuando salió.

[@Antonio-pj1vt]

DS opera d'arte consegnata all'eternità !

[@breannestahlman5953]

It is exactly the musical athmosphere of French movies from this period, the 60 / 70's ! ! ! ;-)

[@sl592]

So glad you noticed… and luckily they were one of a few royalty-free songs I could find in the video editing program 😄

[@mariuskancel9115]

Voiture du siècle : technologies incroyables !ligne sculpturale qu aucun constructeur n'a osé imiter, qualités routières et confort " bluffants " obligeant les autres constructeurs à faire des avancées. Il ne lui a manqué qu'un moteur digne ces immenses bases, un 6 cylindres en V ( ou à plat) pour qu elle soit parfaite. Merci messieurs pour cet éternel chef-d'oeuvre 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿