Introduced at the 1955 Paris Motor Show, the Citroën DS created a sensation with 12,000 orders reportedly taken during the first day, and nearly 1.4 million built along several variations through 1975.

Retaining its distinctive factory Champagne and Aubergine exterior combination, this first-year 1956 Citroën DS19 Berline is a wonderfully preserved example. It was discovered in 2010 languishing in a dusty garage in Sacramento, having traveled just 52,418 miles before being taken off the road for a mechanical issue circa 1960. The consignor, a Citroën collector and aficionado, bought the DS in late 2010. Extensive invoices on file document the careful mechanical recommissioning of the car, which addressed every major mechanical system, including changing the original sodium-filled exhaust valves, all the while making sure to preserve the Citroën’s originality.

Accompanying the DS19 at auction is a fascinating file that includes correspondence with the family of the long-term owner, as well as period photos. Offered from the care of a passionate Citroën collector, this original US-export example is believed by the consignor to be the oldest DS in the US, and one of less than 50 first-year examples known worldwide. It comes with service records, period California registration papers, handwritten notes and instructions, and a historical summary. Its rare early specification and preserved condition present a clear opportunity to own a pure example of a mid-century French masterpiece.