German Car Forum

For those of us who like old Citroëns (I know we are quite rare aroud here ) I found these two very rare models for sale in Belgium.

1959 Citroën DS 19 coupé Le Paris by Henry Chapron

One of only 2 DS coupés built out of a total of nine cars (7 ID’s)

Only 3 cars remaining now and this is the only DS Le Paris.

Not only unique for this reason, but also because of it’s immaculate restored condition, up to the highest standards. A potential concourse winner at any event, even the most demanding.

This is an astonishing car in every respect, just beautiful and very personalised. Now in better condition then it has ever been, even when new.





1971 Citroën SM Opera by H. Chapron

This is one of a very small series of 7cars build, and probably unique with only 44.000 km from new.

President Georges Pompidou ordered Citroen to built 2 of these cars which were 4 door versions on a longer wheelbase than the standard SM model. In total 7cars were made, the 2 for France, 4 cars were delivered to Spain, and one car to Italy, this particular car.

It has been complete restored into the smallest details by THE Citroen and Chapron expert Crescia of Neuchâtel. The interior was saved and is in as new but original condition. A remarkable car in absolutely better then new condition and a delight to drive.

thanks Roberto. but i think top secret will appreciate it more.

BTW, where can i find info about these cars? I know someone who might be interested!

It's amazing how even today these cars still look amazingly radical. They haven't dated one bit. imagine what they looked like back when they were firstly unveiled, must have looked like space rockets!

It's a shame Citroen doesn't do amazing designs like this anymore! I know there's the C4 and C6, but I wouldn't say they look that great. Also, in the C6 at least they didn't do much for the interior, it looks very similar to the bland one found in the C5!

I had no idea a four-door version of the SM existed. Very elegant vehicle(s).

If you click on the pictures it will take you to the website

ok, thanks!

The first one looks quite ok although the voke tires makes it look very american.

Great pictures and nice to find out about these models. I always liked Citroens, although I doubt I ever saw these two exact models, as rare as they are, but the Citroens used to look very much like the DS 19 coupe above. I remember always being very impressed as a boy watching these cars move up or down by probably as much as 4 to 6 inches, standing still. I don't have any documented facts to support those numbers, but thats how it looked. No other car at the time did anything like that.

Where Citroëns ever sold in America?

Yes indeed they were.

Anyway, sweet topic Roberto, this just shows how radical Citroens were back in the day. Love that DS Coupe - just the ultimate expression of beauty.

I'm really regaining faith in Citroen right now as well - their newer cars are pure French. It's heartening now to see them going back to their roots after mediocre-looking and conventional Xsara's and C5's.

I have always liked Citroëns too, it's just a pity they don't have Benz or BMW build quality ...but the classic models do have a peculiar style about them.

I have always liked the old CX Safari (station wagon model)

I agree Top Secret, it is good to see Citroën being more adventurous again; the new C6 is particularly interesting.

The C6 is a very interesting car, I saw it at Frankfurt, it's like a concept car being brought straight to the road!

The only thing I have against the car is its interior, it doesn't fit, just to bland and boring when compared to the exterior of the car! Also the top model in the UK is £38k, seems crazy to me because for that price you could buy a 530i with quite a few options, I think most people would go for the BMW or Audi over this Citroën, without thinking! I'm sure the depreciation on this car will be very bad as well!

Wow, I haven't seen many posts lately because I've been busy. I'm glad I saw this one. I love the LWB SM Opera.

BMW_Dude, I considered buying a C6. The dealership was in an inconvenient spot for me and the crutch of all Citroens is depreciation as you said.

They were sold as the Maserati Quattropuorte II.
Citroen own Maserati back then.
SM is suposed to mean Sport Maserati, the SM used a Maserati engine and input/know how.

I never knew that Imhotep Evil ...as usual you are like an encyclopedia of auto information ...karma to you

Thanks.
I have an aquaintance/friend passioned about Citroens. If you wan't to konw more, I coould ask him.
I'm also a fan of the DS, SM, CA.
DS being my favorite

Erm, isn't this the Quattroporte II:



Citroen technology yes, but bespoke bodywork. Or am I mistaken?

Yes, but apart from the body/styling, perhaps the engine too, this is a Citroen SM.
The Quattroporte II was a Citroen (SM) in Maserati cloth.
There wasn't (with the above excetions) a 4 door SM so as not to overlap with the Quattroporte II.
By the time Citroen sold Maserati, the SM was dead too.

Beautiful cars indeed. I love these classic "radical" looking Citroens. That 4-Door SM is just...

They are so different, from the other cars of smiliar era. And that difference from the other cars, that makes these classic French masterpieces so cool. I loved the Citroen CX. The XM wasn't very good though, even though it looked cool.



It's a shame that Citroen isn't all that bold anymore.

Thanks for the sweet pics Roberto.

Nice pic, Andaluz. I have a few more I'll post. It's on another PC right now. I have a few pics of armoured CX cars. I liked the CX Prestige more than the Pallas versions.

I think the XM looked quite decent. There's a nice car chase in the movie Ronin that used a pre-facelift XM. The later cars with the Citroen emblem in the centre of the grille looked better in my opinion.

This are really nice. Especially the DS 19

you can't imagine what i'm gonna tell you now. One of those cars is here in Patras. One of those that were bought by the french government is here, being restored and in 15 days time it will be ready for action, and guess what, i will be there, and see the car.

I spoke to my friend yesterday to tell him about these two cars, but just before i told him this, he said he had a surprise. And guess what the surprise is!

That's really good for you Giannis ...please take some photos ...they are rare ...and destined to become highly desirably collectors cars .. old Citroëns are already becoming a rarity -- so many of them just rusted away like old Italian cars -- the Fiat 500 is also now a highly sort after collectors car ...who would ever have thought that a couple of decades ago.

Fiat are going to revive the 500 soon though ...check out this interesting website.

www.fiat500.com ...click on the "concept Lab" and you can build your own 500.

Giannis, if it's a French government car, is it armoured?

I don't know right now. I'll ask my friend and tell you the next time i log in. I'll meet him in 30 minutes. BTW I have some interesting facts about those two cars that i will post later.