My 1973 Citroen DS project
Discussion
I bought the car this spring and it is being prepared for classic racing/rallying as we speak. Lots to be done both bodywork and the greasy bits. If anyone has lightened the flywheel, ported the heads and changed the std Weber carb to a 4 branch unit on a vintage Citroen before I'd be delighted to hear from them!
It currently (as of this morning) looks like this:
And when finished will hopefully look a little like this (but still in the Rouge Massena paint):
It currently (as of this morning) looks like this:
And when finished will hopefully look a little like this (but still in the Rouge Massena paint):
Have I found much rot yet? Wellll......
They are probably about the worst 'modern' car for rot. The doors are triple skinned, non galvanised and made in France. The chassis sills are again multiple layered, non sealed and just crumble away.
I chose this one as it had superficial rust damage to all four doors and a little on the chassis. It is being all but completely rebuilt, strengthened and lightened. I'm also having a bespoke racing exhaust and removable roll cage fitted (the roof is glass fibre)...
It drives and handles particularly well. Probably down to the hydropneumatics and the very low center of gravity.
It has been years, decades really since anyone (that I know of) has properly rally prepared one. Other than the Monte Carlo rally the real aim is to enter and win the London to Lisbon rally in 2013.
They are probably about the worst 'modern' car for rot. The doors are triple skinned, non galvanised and made in France. The chassis sills are again multiple layered, non sealed and just crumble away.
I chose this one as it had superficial rust damage to all four doors and a little on the chassis. It is being all but completely rebuilt, strengthened and lightened. I'm also having a bespoke racing exhaust and removable roll cage fitted (the roof is glass fibre)...
It drives and handles particularly well. Probably down to the hydropneumatics and the very low center of gravity.
It has been years, decades really since anyone (that I know of) has properly rally prepared one. Other than the Monte Carlo rally the real aim is to enter and win the London to Lisbon rally in 2013.
Diesel Fury> working on them is not as bad as you'd probably think. One problem (unless you have a ramp or inspection pit is the engine is so far back.
Actually here is some trivia for you: the DS is technically the first ever mid engined, front wheel drive car. The tranny is mounted ahead of the engine (making it technically mid engined).
I'm keeping a blog of the renovations here which will go into more details on things, particularly the engine work which is due to kick off in a few weeks...
http://citroen-ds-restoration.blogspot.com
Cheers,
Ben
Actually here is some trivia for you: the DS is technically the first ever mid engined, front wheel drive car. The tranny is mounted ahead of the engine (making it technically mid engined).
I'm keeping a blog of the renovations here which will go into more details on things, particularly the engine work which is due to kick off in a few weeks...
http://citroen-ds-restoration.blogspot.com
Cheers,
Ben
benjj said:
Diesel Fury> working on them is not as bad as you'd probably think. One problem (unless you have a ramp or inspection pit is the engine is so far back.
Actually here is some trivia for you: the DS is technically the first ever mid engined, front wheel drive car. The tranny is mounted ahead of the engine (making it technically mid engined).
I'm keeping a blog of the renovations here which will go into more details on things, particularly the engine work which is due to kick off in a few weeks...
http://citroen-ds-restoration.blogspot.com
Cheers,
Ben
Great stuff, bookmarked! Thanks!Actually here is some trivia for you: the DS is technically the first ever mid engined, front wheel drive car. The tranny is mounted ahead of the engine (making it technically mid engined).
I'm keeping a blog of the renovations here which will go into more details on things, particularly the engine work which is due to kick off in a few weeks...
http://citroen-ds-restoration.blogspot.com
Cheers,
Ben
Responding to an earlier thread on how it drives; the answer is surprisingly well.
The ride quality is superb as one would hope - they call it a magic carpet ride. However, you have to get used to it a bit. The hydropneumatics are truly independent, you can drive the car with a wheel missing and it doesn't bottom out. Two punctures no problem either supposedly. de Gaul swore by his Presidentiel model. The car rolls much more than a modern car, even a non sporting saloon but the grip is prodigious. The cornering speeds you can make are beyond belief. Quick steering too and the tightest turning circle I've ever come across.
Power wise it isn't a slouch but nothing to write home about. Mine registered 129bhp when tested and with the new exhaust, carb and other mods I'm aiming for 165bhp without over-stressing the engine.
I'll probably be losing about 50kg of weight but it is still a big brute.
What it does do better than the rival cars in its class (Porsche 356, Alfa Giulietas, Merc SLs etc.) is the ability to carry speed much better over varied terrain. As the owner of a 1963 Porsche 356 I can honestly say that the DS in standard spec would leave the porker for dead in a time trial over varied terrain.
The gearbox takes some getting used to - 5 speed column shift. Making clean, fast changes, especially down the box at speed is not easy. But when you do it right it makes you feel damned good.
Visibility out is perfect in every direction and the driving position is good. With my re-padded front seats it should add better lateral support. Damned comfy too.
That's about all I can think of for now.
Cheers,
Ben
The ride quality is superb as one would hope - they call it a magic carpet ride. However, you have to get used to it a bit. The hydropneumatics are truly independent, you can drive the car with a wheel missing and it doesn't bottom out. Two punctures no problem either supposedly. de Gaul swore by his Presidentiel model. The car rolls much more than a modern car, even a non sporting saloon but the grip is prodigious. The cornering speeds you can make are beyond belief. Quick steering too and the tightest turning circle I've ever come across.
Power wise it isn't a slouch but nothing to write home about. Mine registered 129bhp when tested and with the new exhaust, carb and other mods I'm aiming for 165bhp without over-stressing the engine.
I'll probably be losing about 50kg of weight but it is still a big brute.
What it does do better than the rival cars in its class (Porsche 356, Alfa Giulietas, Merc SLs etc.) is the ability to carry speed much better over varied terrain. As the owner of a 1963 Porsche 356 I can honestly say that the DS in standard spec would leave the porker for dead in a time trial over varied terrain.
The gearbox takes some getting used to - 5 speed column shift. Making clean, fast changes, especially down the box at speed is not easy. But when you do it right it makes you feel damned good.
Visibility out is perfect in every direction and the driving position is good. With my re-padded front seats it should add better lateral support. Damned comfy too.
That's about all I can think of for now.
Cheers,
Ben
Just a bump on this as I've been keeping a blog of the restoration that I've just updated:
http://citroen-ds-restoration.blogspot.com/
Ben
http://citroen-ds-restoration.blogspot.com/
Ben
Blog updated again, now with shots of exhaust and paint (which I am very happy with)
http://citroen-ds-restoration.blogspot.com
http://citroen-ds-restoration.blogspot.com
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