Are parts for DS Citroens relatively easily available here or OS?

[1984V8110]

I've been a fan of the Citroen DS since I rode in one (a Safari) as a child in West Africa in the 1960's. In my view they are one of the most innovative and stylish cars ever made. [I'd include the Mini and Range Rover in the same category].

I occasionally wonder about buying one, even though the prices seem to be getting out of my price range as I delay. One thing that I am unsure of is parts availability. Since they had a long production run I'm hoping that parts may be still available. I know that there are other DS lovers on this forum. So can you advise whether in your view, parts are available, even if they have to be sourced from France. My current thinking is to buy around the early 70's if one came up and aim for a carburetted version.

I could go to a Citroen site I suppose, but if the advice on Citroens available on this site approaches that for LRs I'll learn a lot here!

Best Wishes

Michael

[Arapiles]

I’d check out the Aussiefrogs site:

aussiefrogs - The Australian French Car Forum Since 1999

[JDNSW]

I sold mine about five years ago, but I am still in contact with the buyer, and he seems to have had no issues in getting parts (he also has a 2CV).

I would concur with your suggestion about getting one from the seventies, and would agree that you might be better to avoid the fuel injected models, since this system was used on very few different cars - the carburettor systems are perfectly 'normal'. Not surprisingly, the major issue is likely to be rust, but as with any car this age, expect a lot of the rubber components to need replacing. The possible issue is that there are a lot of these in the hydraulics, and that means it adds up to a lot of parts and more expensively, a lot of labour. (most of the parts required will be things such as low pressure hoses and O-rings).

[sashadidi]

My friend has one says plenty of parts in auckland new zealand google is your friend HTH

[p38arover]

Ask DoubleChevron on this forum https://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/47062.html

He has a '72 DS21

[1984V8110]

Morning All

Thanks for the advice and pointers. Strangely enough the CFO at home has currently booted my pre-feasibility study into a DS into the grass. Will have to keep working on her, and also do a bit of a vehicle rationalisation first! But the advice and pointers have been very helpful to my cause!

Cheers


Michael

[DoubleChevron]

Morning All

Thanks for the advice and pointers. Strangely enough the CFO at home has currently booted my pre-feasibility study into a DS into the grass. Will have to keep working on her, and also do a bit of a vehicle rationalisation first! But the advice and pointers have been very helpful to my cause!

Cheers


Michael

Don't worry about the boss women .... Go for it!!! You have probably left your run about 10years to late. The values of DS's have increased dramatically in the last few years. My suggestion would be to find what is called a "DSpecial". There were the "cheap" ( ) version sold in the late 60's / early 70's in Australia. They have the short stroke 2.0 litre petrol motor and 4spd gearbox. Power is "adequate". They would be better if the speed limit was 120km/h+. They are happier at higher speeds on the highway. The DSspecial was quite highly spec'd for what it is. Nice velour interior, big soft carpets, nice enough trim.

I wouldn't be put off for a second by an injected model. To put it into perspective. the 2.1litre 4cylinder injected 5spds were as quick to 100km/h as the local V8 passenger sedans (obvoiulsy NOT the high performance version of them :clown but had a much higher top speed.

I'll chase up the road test peter robinson did on the old DS ... I have heaps of my fathers old wheels magazines here.

Remember though ..... Don't expect a modern, silent car. These things were designed in the early 50's and built from 1955. They are a 70 year old design!!! (and like nothing else ever made to ride in and drive).

They are an absolute iconic car and as such pretty much everythign is available for them. Its usually easier and faster to order parts from overseas than to wait on the local post system and anyone that may have parts here.

If you do go looking at DS's .... Take someone that know them to look at any car you wish to purchase. The way it looks and drives doesn't matter. Anyone handy with a spanner or spraygun can fix that. What matters is rust. You can hide a rusted out basket case with a set of shiny panels very easily.

To give you an idea of what a tragic I am .... this is what I'm currently tinkering with .... its only taken me 5years to get the gearbox back into it



seeya,
Shane L.