A design classic

I spotted this car, a 1968 Citroën DS, outside one of the industrial units beside our local farm shop weeks ago. I’ve always had a soft spot for this classic design and was itching to take some photos of it. Unfortunately, whenever I’ve had my camera with me since it’s been absent from the car park. However, this afternoon it was back and I had my camera with me. I went into the unit where it was parked and asked permission from the owner who seemed quite happy for me to take its photo – thank you John!

The DS was built for twenty years from 1955 and was ground breaking in its day with its futuristic Bertoni styling and super smooth hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension. The feature which caught my imagination as a child though were the headlights - two of the four front lights swivel in parallel with the steering, allowing the driver to see around the bends while driving at night. I did a little research about the car before posting these photos and learnt that in 1999 it was awarded third place in a ‘Car of the Century’ poll behind the Model T Ford and the Mini – a worthy award I think for such a ground breaking car. I have to admit I was surprised just how old a design it actually is – when compared to other cars being made in 1955 it looks amazingly sleek and aerodynamic!