SECOND-HAND SENSE: To mark the millennium a number of competitions were organised in different parts of the world to find the car of the century, with fairly predictable results.
The Model T was pretty much the universal winner on the basis that it put America (and therefore the world) on the road, and the Mini cropped up as a perennial favourite. There was another car, however, to which those truly knowledgeable and passionate about cars were drawn to vote as the best car of the last hundred years - the Citroën DS. This car was so far ahead of its time in 1955 that it was still considered ahead of its time 20 years later when production ceased.
The DS is not the kind of car we usually feature here, but its relative rarity and fantastic appeal commends it to those who would prefer some ageless and classic appeal rather than some run-of-the-mill second-hand executive car. It won't be all that fast, it will be relatively expensive to maintain and it lacks many of the conveniences of the more modern car. But, boy, is it a great car to drive and unique in its qualities. Also, how many cars stand out from movie scenes as the DS did when General de Gaulle escaped an assassination attempt in The Day of the Jackal ?
After a trip many moons ago to a Lisdoonvarna music festival with a charmingly eccentric friend who owned a DS when everyone else thought a Capri was the smart option, I remain a committed fan. We were even able to sleep in it !
The DS had a wonderful aerodynamic design, headlights that turned with the front wheels, a fully automatic suspension system, huge bench seats, a beautifully designed interior and dashboard and every detail seemed unique. It was the first car with front disc brakes. There was a choice of engines but neither the 2.0 litre nor the 2.3 petrol versions were quite as innovative as the rest of the car's components. They were fine but not sparkling performers.
The ride and handling of the car was, however, nothing short of superb. The hydro-pneumatic suspension levelled the car to a perfect pitch and put paid to the notion that the DS was just a big jelly mould of a car without balance. It is one of the few cars whose driving characteristics, as distinct from its design, deserve the description "elegant".
Even the newest DS is now over 30 years old, so if you do decide to consider looking at the two DS cars currently advertised on carzone.ie you had better get some very professional advice. Cars of this age and with complicated systems like the suspension need to be approached very carefully. There are many Citroën websites offering help, and there is a Citroën owners club in the UK with lots of advice on its website. Nearer home, the ever passionate and knowledgeable members of the Irish Veteran and Vintage Car club on ivvcc.ie are usually very helpful.
The two cars listed are a 1974 2.3 petrol version with 170,000 miles on the clock and some added luxury features at €6,500 and a 2.0 litre 1974 model with 92,000 miles on the clock at €4,800. Both are said to be in good motoring order.
- DONAL BYRNE
FOR: More design flair then virtually any other car of its time, or later.
AGAINST: Mostly left-hand drive models available. Lacking modern conveniences and aged technology.