Dutch registration papers
Chassis No.: 4609594

- Authentic Chapron Factory Cabriolet
- High quality old restoration
- Very nice presentation and perfect functioning
Presented in 1955, the DS's lines will be of great inspiration to bodybuilder Henri Chapron, who will propose, three years later, its sublime interpretation in the form of a "convertible convertible". Convinced by the proposal, Citroën included it in its range in 1960, but continued to entrust its manufacture to the bodybuilder in Levallois-Perret. Until 1971, they were called "factory cabriolet". In October 1960, the press was praising the Figaro, which was titled "New shock: a convertible with a particularly pure line". Paris-Presse will add: "a feast for the eyes". Taking up all the technical innovations of the sedan, no European convertible would match the beauty but also the comfort of the DS for several years, the superiority of the Citroën hydropneumatic suspension, ahead of its time, being proven by its use until the 21st century. In all, only 1,365 factory convertibles were built on the basis of DS 19 and DS 21 between 1960 and 1971.
The car we are interested in in its pages is an authentic DS Convertible put into service in May 1968. Blue metallic colour, and a remarkably elegant blue leather interior. The current owner acquired it in 2006 from a Dutch merchant. In 1985, the car belonged to Mr. Balbinot who undertook a thorough restoration of the car. All elements are dismantled, sandblasted and repainted. The base is extremely sound and testifying to this good general condition, no welding is required. The body was free of corrosion. The original white, Carrara White colour has been replaced by a magnificent metallic blue, highlighting the car's sublime shape and curves. Mr. Balbinot sold the convertible in 1996. The current collector buys it in perfect condition in 2006 and will use it for long trips. Among these distant destinations, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and many walks in the Alps. The DS Convertible will cover nearly 100,000 km in 13 years! A real travel machine, its maintenance has always been very followed and meticulous. Recently in the list of works, we can see that the entire electrical circuit was taken over in 2017, as well as the soft top, or even the hydraulics with the replacement of the steering assistance. In 2016 the upholstery was redone because if it was original, it was now too worn out. The choice of high quality leather is crucial in a convertible car with sun-exposed seats. Mrs. Noelle Eléonore Chapron knows this car and will certify its authenticity. She found in the archives of the Chapron workshops that this DS 21 called in the catalogue "Convertible Henri Chapron series" was ordered by the Citroën brand under the number N° 25.645 in February 1968. This convertible is therefore built on the basis of a DS 21 with VIN 4609594 chassis number. The chassis was delivered to the workshops 114 - 116 rue Aristide Briand in Levallois Perret, on 3 February 1968. The Chapron serial number is therefore No. 9234. The engine is still the original one, N° 001200. The car was then White Carrara as certified by Mrs Chapron, also equipped with a black leather interior and interesting options such as seat height adjustment. The car left the Chapron workshops on 16 April 1968 to be marketed in the Citroën dealer network. On the test, the elegant convertible surprises us with its smooth operation and its behaviour without surprises. It has always been very well maintained with great care. The engine, still original, delivers all its power and the hydraulic gearbox shifts smoothly. The operation of the new soft top is very easy. This is an interesting opportunity to acquire a DS 21 Convertible with undeniable authenticity. Nowadays, it is rare to be able to expect so much, as replicas or bad restorations have multiplied.

This car will be sold by auction by AGUTTES Auction House, in La Ferté-Vidame, at the Citroën Centenary, France, on July the 21th, 2019.
The digital catalog will be available soon on our website
https://www.aguttes.com/en/sale/99015
Please contact us for any further details.
Phones numbers:
+33 760 781 018
+33 668 362 622
+33 147 459 301