Classic Revealed: Is the 1969 Citroen DS 21 the most beautiful car of all time?

[@johntechwriter]

I owned one. Nothing you say about this car can be exaggerated. It is unique among all cars, and the most innovative car ever designed, in its time or after.

[@kamikazes03]

I'm Canadian and I learned driving with my dad's Citroen. Great memories.

[@guyinsf]

It was voted the most beautiful car in history by car designers and historians so the title is well earned!

[@corduroy99]

Yes, yes it is the MOST BEAUTIFUL car ever! No question! (Drools!)

[@52nenne]

Well the car is a real beauty for me. For a design that made it to the roads in the early fifties is for sure something really amazing and timeless. Thank you for sharing.

[@merguezceneuf3369]

I'm french, and I'm very proud of what we were capable of back in the 50's to 70's : the DS, the 2CV, the SM, the Renault 4, the Facel Vegas and so forth. And now I'm just very disappointed to see that... We do not make great cars anymore. Apologies if my english is not 100% correct, cheers

[@exeuroweenie]

I loved my first car-Peugeot 505-and lusted after the Citroen SM.Wish they'd bring French cars back to the U.S.Oh,your English is very good.

[@rbagel55]

Well my friend, look at it this way. Does anybody really make a great car nowadays? I mean in general they are much more complex and expensive than they use to be--that is true in any country. In another 50 years, we will be approaching the days of the end of oil. I say France is better prepared for it then we are in the USA. Your country has an excellent high speed rail system,, we don't have that here, only in a small section of the NE corridor

[@MrFredHoogendoorn]

There are still some interesting French cars. Like the cactus. I also love the Renault talisman. Finally a big french car

[@pierrepinson2906]

🇫🇷La CITROËN C6, c'est un vraie bijoux!!! La RENAULT TALISMAN, La PEUGEOT RCZ, et LA PEUGEOT E CONCEPT.🇫🇷 Mais pourquoi nous les Français nous nous massacrons!!!! Aucune de nos marques FRANÇAISES ont été vendus par d'autre pays. Renault, Peugeot,CITROËN, DS, ALPINE RENAULT, BUGATTI, LIGIER. appartiennent toujours à la FRANCE! Les BRITANNIQUES ont vendues leur marque à des pays étrangers. Rolls ROYCE et MINI (BMW) BENTLEY (VW) Jaguar (usa) ect... Les MARQUES FRANÇAISES se vendent dans quasiment tous les continents. Amérique du Sud, AFRIQUE,MOYEN-ORIENT, CHINE, AUSTRALIE!!! La 405 peugeot est une marque de prestige en IRAN. ECT... POURQUOI NOUS NE SOMMES JAMAIS CONTENT. Nous sommes des râleurs, c'est dans nos gênes.

[@2512MaTHias]

De rien, on comprend vous três bien! S‘ il vous plait d‘ excuser mon Francais: je suis allemand 😅

[@aminmohammadzadeh1937]

No other car in the world can be more beautiful. DS will remain the most beautiful car of the world, for ever.

[@1Reddd]

Jaguar E-Type...

[@MaartenvanHeek]

OfficialEpic222 I've never seen the beauty of that car, really :)

[@margay34]

Lancia Stratos, Jaguar E-type, Ac Cobra, Shelby Cobra Daytona, Jaguar D-type, most Alfas, Aston DB5. I wouldn't call it beautiful its just nice to look at and a bit odd that's why I think people think it is beautiful because it a bit different in a good way. :)

[@Tbolt1000TForLife]

it will also remain the most advanced car in the world, forever!

[@Quicksilver_Cookie]

SUV Man So if somebody tomorrow invents car powered by...magnetic field of the Earth it will still be less advanced than DS because it had..turning lights? Don't be silly, it was the most advanced car of THAT time.

[@jackpontiac52]

The introduction of the DS series in 1955 signalled that France had Fully Recovered from WWII. The development of the Air Ride Suspension for this car started in the 1930's, and Citroen managed to keep it Secret from the German Occupiers for the duration of the war.

[@alemgas]

That's surprising, they sold out everything else to the Nazis

[@R34RACR]

That steering wheel setup is a piece of art

[@insidertrading1]

That was the most advanced car of its time, it still is even by today's standards. I've always wanted a DS

[@PhilippeMarchand-xw1zp]

When you consider the average cars on the roads in 1955, you realise how much creativity it took to release such engineering masterpiece.

[@MAGNUM05]

Beautiful car of all time? Of course it is!

[@jamesh1369]

One of the coolest and unique looking cars, but not the most beautiful. Way better looking than SM though.

[@pierrepinson2906]

Of course!!! The mort beautiful car in the world!!

[@pierrepinson2906]

@@jamesh1369 Have you seen a Citroën DS sedan in real? Nowadays, in FRANCE, i see some rare DS, and i 'm always impress to watch this beauty. This car is incredible fantastique.

[@jamesh1369]

@@pierrepinson2906 Yes, I saw a gold DS recently cruising down the road near Pittsburgh, Pa where I'm from. Beautiful car, in a strange kind of way. They are very rare around here, so they always catch my eye :)

[@pierrepinson2906]

@@jamesh1369 👍👍👍,😊. Those Citroën DS remembering my childhood. My other favorite beautiful cars ARE CHRYSLER NEWYORKER(1975) and other American Brand like Cadillac from 70 ies🇺🇸.

[@dalelambert7854]

I've been so lucky to have owned, (in Australia), five beautiful, Citroen DS's and one ID 19. The top of the range 1975 Citroen Pallas, automatic with air conditioner, was my very favourite. Worse day was when it was sold. I've been looking for another automatic for years. Wish I could find another one in Australia.... while I can still drive.... not too many driving years left! The comfort and ride are extraordinary.

[@gypsyking1761]

my dream's car since i was a child -the best overall design

[@TFLcar]

No worries, and thanks for the thoughtful comments. We'll be doing more of the "Classic Revealed" videos in the next few weeks. I hope you like them. BTW: I've never driven a more comfy car. It's like driving a lazy boy chair. It would be great for road trip.

[@AutomobileClassics]

Yes. the goddess was great! technology was new, design was super.

[@TheTruemouse]

When you think this came out in 1955 when America was still hooked on big-finned dinosaurs this is one of the most ground breaking cars ever. It has features in the 50's & 60's that other car companies are claiming to pioneer today. If the styling hadn't been released over half a century ago it'd be considered contemporary today.

[@brighton_dude]

It is the greatest car of them all. So many innovations and such a great design. I think it is the most beautiful of them all as well.

[@trespire]

Some of the features are still ahead of OUR time. The weight distribution, steering geometry is unrivaled.

[@Zippy1one]

Love the ride on this car. Got one as a loaner 20 years ago when my mechanic was fixing my car. I was embarrased to be seen in it at first but after I drove it I was just so impressed with the ride and visability out of the windows. Great car wish they would remake a modern version.

[@AlternativeUses]

beautiful and fascinating car. hold on to it.... In a few decades I can see these going for A LOT more. I would love to have one

[@richardiritano1197]

With advances in modern technology, a new and revitalized Citroen of all makes and models should be pondered by the arbiters of this extraordinary machine. While Simon Baker (of The Mentalist fame) revived a longstanding following of the classic design and engineering of the DS 21, it has never fallen out of style, performance and aesthetics, and I am now searching for ownership that will carry me through the annals of history--with flare, verve and panache!

[@1wharfboy]

The most sophisticated car I ever experienced brand new as a kid in 1972 is the Citroen DS 21.

[@andrewwatson9805]

Most amazing car ever. Loved them. Really would like to get my hands on one of them, but I've got kids to feed and a mortgage to pay. And no time to spend on rebuilding... :(

[@kunstmol]

My dad's uncle brought one up from paris on my parent's wedding day. In the old 8 mm film it looks like a spaceship. It created a sensation for the onlookers. One of the first to be seen in Holland. My dad had a jag but the DS was exotic to me.

[@reconforsales7708]

some legends will test time and live forever.

[@abdalion]

superbe ,beautyful,magnifique,jolie ..merci!

[@Nah481]

My grandma had one of these and it was an incredible car. I remember it had some kind of hydraulics that actually lowered it and why you parked it and then it got jacked off taller as she sped off. A lot of the new cars have some of this look now, The shape is just so classic and the headlamps are really distinct. Would be cool if these were brought back. I love the classic look and what a nice ride it had. Next I'll have to Google what happened to the Citroen family!

[@TFLcar]

Wow, that was fast. Did you know it or did you Google it?

[@lordalfred1882]

Fabulous car! The best engineered and most ingenious car ever conceived and built.

[@lordalfred1882]

You must have forgotten the terrible Jaguar engine that constantly overheated and needed replacement almost as often as light bulbs, about which Ford did car lovers a favor when they began installing the Ford V-8 engine in their Jaguar production cars. There is no advanced engineering in a Jaguar and such was never in evidence in the past. Its svelte styling has been the car's only attribute. However, I much prefer the body design of the elder Citroens--like the one featured here. As well, every vehicle manufacturer worldwide copies the innovative body designs of Citroen's designers, even when they can't come close to duplicating the excellence of their engineering and legendary superb ride (Like driving underwater.). Rolls Royce utilized the Citroen suspension system under license in their top-end vehicles for years and likely still do.

[@PhilippeMarchand-xw1zp]

Actually when you consider the average cars on the roads in 1955, you realise how much creativity it took to release such engineering masterpiece.

[@marloef11]

Best ride ever!!! Most beautiful car?? absolutely yes

[@carlosvilhenapereira5250]

marloef11 " h u

[@lffit]

I once had an R10; British racing geen, it had disc brakes, Michelin tyres, no power dodgy in cross winds, but I loved it!

[@russcattell955i]

In the early 70's my father's business was trade shows, he would regularly drive from U.K. to Marseille in a Ford Cortina III 1.6, ok at 70 mph but any more was torture. These DS's would waft past at 100 mph, suspension hunkered down.

[@susanryman9948]

Just watched film Munich and this car was driven. Beautiful

[@c0mpu73rguy]

Someday... I'll get myself one of these.

[@hejmuesli]

That was absolutely great. Thank you for sharing that. If you can come up with more car related material that isn't necessarily a new car review, then by all means go for it! :)

[@deloreanman14]

The greatest thing to ever come out of France.

[@trespire]

Add also: Self leveling main headlamp, mechanically linked to both front & rear height regulators. Breaking force distribution to front/rear is automatically compensated to the weight on each axle. Steering geometry is neutral, zero camber & zero castor angles, so driving over potholes will not effect steering angle. Use of advanced construction materials to reduce weight & lower center of gravity, fiberglass roof, 4 aluminum wings + bonnet + boot lid. cont...

[@rowsdower12]

Thanks for the coverage of this classic! It shows real auto passion to look at the classics as well. While newer cars are nice I think the classics have more character and its fun to know the history behind them. You guys should do more of these if possible. Maybe even a comparison of an older model version newer gen. That would be cool.

[@rgion29247616]

I have always lusted for a Citroen DS21. Fantastic engineering. Only issue is getting parts for repair. In Dallas, Texas, there is no one that even offers service on any French made automobile. Here, it is strickly limited to German Japanese, and now Korean makes. Such a bummer.

[@tbok75]

This is one of those cars I hatef as a child but always knew what it was... now that I'm pushing 37, its become more of a favorite, next to a 1948 Cadillac 62 series. :)

[@lakeseminole]

OH yes, I've loved this car since I was in my teens! IM 59

[@awuma]

There were US attempts to use air/hydraulic suspension. As I recall, some of the 1958 Chevrolets had it (at the height of the "big boats with fins" craze). And there was a semi-automatic "Torque-Drive" Chevy Nova circa 1970, but with only two speeds (which actually was quite good and positive, served me for a good six years).

[@eltfell]

When I was a very young child at age 2, we moved from Germany to Italy in the area of "La Grassa" (= Bologna) and moved back 2 years later. We made friends there, and the head of that family owned a black Goddess. From that time on, I was lost. This is my dream car.

[@ilannknochen]

I had one GS and it saved my life as I blew right front tire without noticing but for the noise. It never lost control and I was able to change tires and back on route

[@sapurvis]

My one my all time favorite cars. Great film piece.

[@Grant0610]

Beautiful car. Possibly 2nd only Jaguar E-Type as most beautiful car ever! :)

[@chicoloco341]

This car is extremely well equipped for its release year!

[@TheTruemouse]

License plate can also be seen on James Bond's DB5 in Goldfinger, along with BMT216A (UK) and LU 6789 (Swiss).

[@jamesshunt5123]

I'd love to own one. Too bad they're probably not affordable since they're collectables driven by true car enthusiasts.

[@TFLclassics]

One of the Worlds Greatest Cars! :)

[@MrSebfrench76]

Thank you Ted,to maintain a french car in good shape in the states and to proove that we frenchies can do good cars too.

[@mountainhobo]

Citroen is one of the most innovative car companies in history. Pity about its demise in the 70s. They never quite were the same after becoming a subsidiary of Peugeot.

[@Cailean_MacCoinnich]

beautiful

[@leethatsme1988]

I absolutley hate citreon but i realy wouldnt mind a drive in this sweet little gem.

[@barenstil5525]

0:45 made me cringe already.. its hard to maintain and air suspension? really? hydropneumatic suspension. also, if a fool maintains it of course its hard. i like how citroen some how go the reputation of its cars not lasting long, yet if theres a company with their old cars still being used as much as citroens then tell me why i never see those classics on the road

[@FREEDOOOOM]

The Godess might not be the most beautiful car for everyone, but for sure she's a Classic none forgets! More Classic Car Reviews, please!

[@califdad4]

at the time, this DS cost the same as a Cadillac in this country and had that small 4 cyl engine and just didn't catch on. I always liked them especially the Citroen SM in the early 70's. We have relatives living in Europe in the 1960's ( he worked for Proctor and Gamble) they lived outside of Paris for about 4 years ( St Cloud) and had a Citroen ID Wagon also a Renault Gordini , 2 cars ,which was considered rich in France in the early 60's

[@trucker11686]

Absolutely stunning car in every respect.

[@hflivares1824]

Congratulations. To maintain such a car in US requests an incredible ability. Even in France, not easy... I owned some interresting cars : a 74 Dodge Dart Swinger (I loved this car but damnshit I had many problems with it) a Funny Citroen 2 cv, and now a 66 Sedan 404 Peugeot SL, but the greatest experience I had as a passenger and as a driver was with a 73 DS Pallas. We crossed France at 160 km / h (in the late 70) 110 miles / h with a little wheeling noise maybe a gravel in the tyre, and reaching Casablanca (marocco) we realized that a rear tyre s sole was torn up on maybe 10 cm....

[@twogoonsonanadventure]

Jealous of the dashboard!! Mine is a 1972 DS21 EFi and has the later dash, however I love it and it is the culmination of a 25 year dream! Yes, it's up there as one of the most beautiful, innovative cars of all time! It's a Marmite car (for those who know what that is)...you either love it or hate it; I love it, I'm never letting mine go.

[@moochincrawdad]

I'm in love with the DS!

[@waltertaljaard1488]

The Jaguar E type is the most beautifull car ever. But the Citroen DS is an excellent runner up and more practical, reliable, better engineered; in short a far better automobile.

[@califdad4]

had relatives that lived in France 1961-1965 and had a Citroen ID Station Wagon, ( Also had a Renault Gordini) they might disagree they replaced it in 1965 when they moved to Germany and bought a Mercedes . They did ride well though

[@sharonherrin]

I owned two DS Supers 1974 and 1975 This is the most cofortabe car , and the suspension was way ahead, one was a 5 speed manual which for the time was advanced

[@aleksandarkostevski7990]

superb

[@paulmarshal2804]

Yes, the most beautiful and advanced car of all time. Thk for video.

[@smokeyjoe7251]

Will you ever do the 2CV?

[@MARDAMKIT]

I guess I had no problems with fluid type, 'cause I read the manual, & the reservoir label stating fluid type on our DS 380kkm, GS 290kkm & CX 480kkm. The CX & GS were particularly easy to work on, but all three rarely required anything more than routine maintenance.

[@Tuppoo94]

Citroën still makes very smooth-riding cars today!

[@southwestsage]

What's all the small screen stuff about?

[@MARDAMKIT]

Most Citroen reliability problems were caused by meat head mechanics who put brake fluid [corrosive] in the suspension fluid, causing the suspension, brakes & power steering to leak. The DS 23 from 1974 was capable of 140mph & had the brakes to stop it easily, unlike most other cars of the time. The dangerous thing about a big Cit' is they get quieter, the faster you go. When you can whisper to the person next to you, it means your low flying.

[@CarolineCollins]

It's true. I had a front tire blow-out at about 70mph in my Citroen DS21 and indeed, did not know it. Just heard a funny noise, pulled over, and saw my front tire in shreds. It was a Hankook by the way.

[@blackcoreindonesiairitbbm]

Awesome cara

[@vladgladkov237]

Nice video

[@JohnBullerjahn]

Probably the best riding, best engineered and most ahead of it's time car. Still. However, lackluster build quality and non existent quality control coupled with a spotty dealer network and a service department that defined arrogance kept it from being the hit it should have been here in the states. However, you either loved or hated the looks, but I've never driven or ridden in a more comfortable and wonderfully handling and riding car. Family had a 61 wagon with 'melted straw' seats and two little jumperette seats in the way back. I was given a 1970 Green DS 21 Pallas sedan for my 21st birthday. Again, nothing before or since has equalled the 'total' experience. LOL.

[@richardhoner7842]

Actually the build quality of the DS was unparalleled. The machine tolerances of the hydraulics set the standard for decades. The only thing they could have done better, far better, is paint and rustproofing. I once started up a Citroen that had been sitting for 10 years and it was fine. Drove it 400 miles the next day. Having owned a couple of these ars I think the maintainence issues are better than most cars.

[@MrTransalpin]

DS 19,21,23, was designed by Italian( Lombardian) good designer Flaminio Bertoni, he designed all Citroën until his dead in 1964.

[@TFLclassics]

Makes an awesome slot car!

[@zagyex]

So this car won the monte carlo rallye, the hardest rally competition of its time, and a lot of other rallies. The 2,3 l injection version has a top speed of 190 km/h. But yes, it was a family car not a sports car. It was the first car with a fully plastic dashboard, it has aluminium bonnet and fibergalss roof. It had hydraulic disc brakes in 1955, the first mass production car to have todays disc brakes. Most of the people who think it is ugly have never seen one in real life.

[@unimogman404]

I'm 50 and I remember seeing a few of them in my small hometown in New Brunswick, Canada. Someone can tell me if they were imported to USA ?

[@frederickpile4308]

''jay Leno's garage'' (youtube) he owns one .

[@mieguistumas]

Probably the most influential car of all times.

[@rrusston2]

There are enough business jets. Falcons are mostly approaching retirement in US, used for automotive JIT parts runs and medevac flights. What is needed are light piston airplanes at reasonable prices.

[@yorrickwi]

YOU! are a big citroen fan do you own one or ever worked on one im working at a citroën service station and we get alot of ds/id cars i can add to your facts list :the mechanic loves them theire verry easy to work on :)

[@trespire]

..cont Cross ply tire technology Michelin-X were developed for the D series, today we all drive on X ply tires thanks to the D. First mass produced car to have front disk breaks (& what fantastic breaks they are!) Engine & transmission are designed to collapse down & under the passenger compartment. Speedometer also indicates stopping distances. Body is aerodynamically designed so at high speeds car is pushed down to improve handling stability the faster you drive. Somebody please stop me:-)

[@pgrts]

I have never seen such a simple suspension system. Shock absorbers and suspension in a cheap globe. You could find those hanging in the local "Walmart" type of shops for like 10 dollars each. You need 5 of them, one for each wheel and another for the steering and brakes. It is only a few minutes to replace them all.

[@2512MaTHias]

I like the front side lights/blinkers and the dashboard gauges very much! Never seen such ones on a (eurpean) DS before, are they original or specific US ones. Really nice car, I have a 1968 DS 19 Pallas 😊

[@mygreatbigfoot1679]

The Bridget Bardot of the car world.

[@porsche558]

Those Citroen's are still odd cars but ahead of their time.

[@fliteshare]

Licence plate number is from James Bond's Austin Martin DB5 in the movie Goldfinger.

[@FrommeinSydney]

Austin Martin ? I thought 007 drove an Aston.

[@fliteshare]

GWF Ayyy, thick fingers, my mistake. Thanks for catching.

[@EAD-bv5kh]

Such an awesome car

[@Alexscott100]

I have a 1982 Jaguar XJ6 Series 3 but I love the Citroen

[@Munkenba]

I wouldn't quite call it the most beautiful car in the world. I love it, but it's a particularly subjective car, I've heard people say its one of the ugliest cars ever made and I can see how it could look unusual to them. I think it's gorgeous but I prefer the looks of the sm. The most beautiful car ever made for me has to be the Bugatti Atlantic, but each to their own.

[@lffit]

Hey this car has old French plates?...This car won an award for the best design of the 20th Century; my French wife doesn't like them she used to sick in them when she was a kid. We recently rented a new C4; it was nice well finished, but again she said the car was too soft and why didn't we get the Focus we ordered... ,tried to tell her they no longer have this suspension, not sure she believed me lol

[@05Forenza]

I love these Citroens =)

[@JETZcorp]

I always thought it would be interesting to see a comparison review between a Citroen DS and, say, an old Chrysler Imperial of the Virgil Exner tailfin era. Which is the better luxury car, in terms of comfort, features, driving style, etc. FWD French penis-car, or a VLCC oil tanker?

[@boywonder0550]

Patrick Jane ( Simon Baker ) drives this car in his TV series The Mentalist :D

[@sharonherrin]

I also drove a Citroen SM with a 6 cylinder Maserati engin boy that thing could go

[@lindamckay4881]

+mark Are you aware of anyone in Melbourne who has fitted a modern motor in a Ds? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated

[@landon390]

Do more videos like that !

[@anonymous07514]

if anyone is seriously suggesting this is a main contender for "the most beautiful car in the world", they are seriously mis informed. to look for something truly beautiful, you have to find something that truly exceeds your understanding of beauty. we speak of these things as "11/10". but to me, this isn't enough. somewhere out there, there is a 12/10 for beauty. for me, that is the bugatti atlantique. and the citroen looks more like an 8/10, very pretty but way out of its depth for this title.

[@rockmassa4151]

Loved A Citroen

[@henrygreen19]

If not, it is one helluva close second !!

[@rrusston2]

Few German-Americans buy German cars in fact. I lived in several small towns in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and all Germans, no German cars except visitors. Even in St. Louis most German car buyers were not Germans and vice versa. Jews did buy a fair number though but most German cars were bought by yuppies, trendies or upscale blacks.