1969 Citroen DS 21 Convertible by Henri Chapron

When Citroën introduced the DS in 1955, the futuristic shape and flowing lines designed by Flaminio Bertoni had already been envisioned by him in convertible form but at the time was never considered as a production model by Citroën.

It was Henri Chapron that transformed the DS into one of the most acclaimed and sought-after convertible automotive designs of the 20th century.

During the 1920s and the 30s, Henri Chapron coach-built numerous French and American cars such as Morris Léon Bollée, Hispano-Suiza, Bugatti, Delage, then, later, Delahaye, Talbot,… among French brand names, and Packard, Buick, Cadillac, Graham Paige… among American brand names. After the Second World War, he continued to work on Delahaye, Hotchkiss, Salmson. As more and more cars were built on assembly lines, quite a few coachworks firms had to close. Henri started to work with different manufacturers such as Renault, Peugeot, Simca,… and when the DS 19 was presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1955, he was impressed by its design and imagined right-away a convertible version of the DS 19 model.

Amongst the most desirable versions of the famed Citroën DS was the factory-authorised Decapotable, or Cabriolet Usine, produced by Parisian coachbuilder Henri Chapron. Chapron took up what the factory had not had the time or resources to do, and he produced his first two-door convertible version of the ‘Goddess’ in 1958. For 10 years, from 1961 to 1971, Chapron produced 1,365 Decapotables to individual customer order. After official production ended, a handful of cars continued to be produced on a custom basis until 1978.

Each cabriolet was hand built to the highest of standards, with handmade doors that were four inches longer than the saloon’s and on double latches; a tail that had been crafted as one long, sweeping panel, with a fibreglass boot lid; and decorative brightwork along the flanks. There were 15 paint choices, 13 shades of leather upholstery and three carpet colours available, allowing for 585 possible combinations.

The example offered here is a DS 21, equipped with the optional Jaeger instruments, Boite de Vitesses Hydraulique semi-automatic transmission and Continental-Edison radio. It was originally delivered to a Mr Le Glouannec of Pont Aven, who maintained it until 1980, when he sold it to a Dr Pechery of Paris; the second owner installed a DY-type engine in 1983. From 2007 until 2010, the car was registered in England, by Dr. James Hull of London, after which it was acquired by the present owner.

In 2014 the car was fully restored by Automobiles Francaise of Berlin, at a cost of over €85,000, in Alabaster White over a black leather interior with black carpets. The car is accompanied by a collection of photographs and receipts from that restoration, as well as other documentation, including a certificate from Noëlle Chapron, and appraisals between 1977 and the present day, documenting its well-maintained condition and, importantly, that it has always been an original cabriolet.

This is a fine example of a most rare and desirable Citroën, benefitting from decades of excellent care and a superb restoration.