1967 Citroen DS 21 Cabrio – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

By September 1967, the Citroën DS 21 adopted the third front-end evolution, featuring the iconic double headlamps set behind a glass cover. These headlights reinforced the car’s avant-garde appearance and gave the front end a distinctive, almost organic expression.

Technical Details:

The Citroën DS 21 represents a mature and technically refined stage of the DS series. Introduced within the DS range in 1965, it was powered by the newly developed five-bearing inline four-cylinder engine of type DX, an important technical foundation for Citroën engines for decades to come. With a displacement of 2,175 cc and an overhead-valve valvetrain driven by a chain, the engine delivered 100 PS at 5,500 rpm in its early configuration. Despite its nearly 2.2-liter displacement, Citroën deliberately retained the designation “DS 21” rather than adopting a DS 22 badge. Mounted longitudinally at the front and driving the front wheels, the engine was paired with a register carburetor and a four-speed gearbox with one reverse gear. Braking performance was advanced for its era, featuring disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. The DS 21 reached a top speed of approximately 175 km/h, underlining its credentials as a fast and comfortable long-distance touring car. Curb weight ranged from 1,280 to 1,295 kilograms depending on specification. A defining element of the Citroën DS 21 was its sophisticated hydropneumatic system. Particularly after September 1966, when Citroën introduced the green mineral hydraulic fluid LHM, the system proved significantly more reliable and durable. This centralized hydraulic network not only controlled the suspension but also assisted braking, steering, and transmission functions, giving the Citroën DS 21 a level of technical integration unmatched by contemporaries. From September 1970 onward, buyers could choose, at no extra cost, between the hydraulically actuated four-speed gearbox and a mechanically shifted five-speed transmission derived from the Citroën SM. In November 1971, a third option was added: a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic transmission.

• Manufacturer: Citroën
• Model name: Citroën DS 21
• Year of manufacturing: 1967 (model range 1965–1972)

Design:

The design of the Citroën DS 21 remained unmistakably futuristic even more than a decade after the DS first appeared. Its long, low silhouette, smooth surfaces, and carefully sculpted proportions set it apart from virtually every other executive sedan of the 1960s. The steel bodywork emphasized aerodynamic efficiency, while the long wheelbase of 3,125 mm contributed to the car’s elegant stance and exceptional ride comfort. By September 1967, the Citroën DS 21 adopted the third front-end evolution, featuring the iconic double headlamps set behind a glass cover. These headlights reinforced the car’s avant-garde appearance and gave the front end a distinctive, almost organic expression. Later updates included subtle dimensional changes and refinements such as recessed door handles introduced in September 1971, further smoothing the body’s visual flow. Inside, the Citroën DS 21 continued Citroën’s break with convention. The dashboard layout, the unconventional single-spoke steering wheel, and the emphasis on driver comfort created an interior atmosphere unlike anything else on the road. The design combined functionality with a strong emotional appeal, reinforcing the DS’s reputation as both a technical and aesthetic statement.

Historical Significance:

The Citroën DS occupies a unique position in automotive history, and the Citroën DS 21 stands as one of its most accomplished iterations. When the DS debuted in 1955, it replaced the long-running Traction Avant series, which had changed little in appearance over 23 years. While Citroën retained key principles such as front-wheel drive and the longitudinal engine layout, nearly every other aspect of the vehicle represented a dramatic leap forward. Engineered under the guidance of André Lefèbvre, styled by Flaminio Bertoni, and equipped with hydropneumatic suspension developed by Paul Magès, the DS redefined expectations for comfort, safety, and design. Within this lineage, the Citroën DS 21 benefited from years of continuous refinement, offering increased performance and improved reliability while preserving the core innovations that made the DS famous. Compared to both its predecessor and contemporary rivals, the Citroën DS 21 exemplified Citroën’s commitment to technical originality and bold engineering choices.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

The DS was widely regarded as a car for nonconformists, particularly in export markets where its unconventional design and complex technology set it apart from more conservative competitors. Although its hydropneumatic suspension and radical styling were rarely copied outside Citroën, the DS left an indelible mark on automotive culture. Its enduringly futuristic shape has led to appearances in modern science-fiction productions, including scenes in Back to the Future II and the opening sequence of the television series Eureka, where the DS appears as a floating, wheel-less taxi. From its earliest days, the DS attracted colorful nicknames reflecting its striking appearance. In German-speaking regions, it became known as the “Haifisch” (shark), inspired by the front view that resembles an open shark’s mouth. In the Netherlands, it earned the nickname “Snoek,” meaning pike, again referencing its streamlined, aquatic form.

Display and preservation:

The vehicle was exhibited at the Classic Expo Salzburg in 2021. As one of Austria’s premier classic car events, the show has established itself as a central meeting point for collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts from across Central Europe. The 2021 edition took place at Messezentrum Salzburg and featured more than 250 exhibitors, along with a strong turnout of over 20,000 visitors. Attendees could explore a broad range of offerings—from historical vehicles and motorcycles to automobilia, spare parts, and literature.

Conclusion:

The 1967 Citroën DS 21 represents the essence of Citroën’s most ambitious automotive philosophy. Combining a powerful and refined engine, advanced hydropneumatic technology, and a design that still feels forward-looking today, it stands as a landmark in the evolution of the modern automobile. More than just a luxury sedan, the Citroën DS 21 embodies innovation, individuality, and engineering courage. Decades after its production, it remains a benchmark for originality and a lasting symbol of Citroën’s golden age.