DS - the Search for Speed

From its release in 1955, the DS was criticised for inadequate power. Here was a car with superb handling and grip which absolutely cried out for more performance. The DS inherited the venerable 1,9 litre four cylinder Sainturat engine from the 11 CV - admittedly breathed upon to provide more power - but even the most hardened worshipper of the Goddess would admit that the engine was low on power and refinement. A number of companies extracted more power from the 1911cc unit including Connaught in the United Kingdom who supplied a twin carb conversion.

Having dropped the horizontally opposed engine project, six avenues were explored -

1. the development of an all new short stroke 4 cylinder (which saw the light of day in 1966 in the DS 21 and a year later with the revised DS 19);
2. the development of a V4 supercharged two-stroke engine;
3. the development of a V6 engine;
4. the development of a V8 engine;
5. the use of a Maserati designed V6 which was eventually fitted in the SM;
6. and that which concerns us here, a reworking of the Sainturat engine.

Capacity was increased from 1.911 cc to 1.987 cc, the cylinder head was redesigned to accommodate two overhead camshafts and 16 valves - this in 1963! The crankshaft acquired 5 bearings and power output was in excess of 125 bhp. An otherwise standard DS fitted with this engine was good for 180 kph at a time when the production car could achieve 150.

A number of design studies for a two door high performance coupé were undertaken throughout the fifties and sixties - those one on the left and below are by Bertoni (note the reverse slope rear window which saw the light of day in the Ami 6).

The early nineteen sixties saw many different proposals, both mechanical and styling, being examined.

By the mid sixties Projet S was effectively redefined. Although very good performance had been extracted from Citroën's venerable four cylinder, it was felt that the new car should employ a six cylinder powerplant and rather than a lightweight, DS derived body, Robert Opron was given the brief for a longer, heavier car than the DS.

Thanks to the French fiscal system, cars with engine capacities in excess of 2,8 litres were heavily penalised. Largely for financial reasons, the design of a lightweight, powerful engine with relatively small displacement was not within Citroën's capabilities.

Fortunately, the solution was found when Citroën signed the PARDEVI accord whereby Fiat took over Michelin's 49% stake in Citroën and acquired Maserati from Orsi on 25 October 1968.

A number of prototype vehicles were built, most of them retaining some elements of the DS's styling including this vehicle from 1964 - a shortened, two door coupe some 7 cm lower and than the saloon but retaining the frontal styling. This model was known as the "S" or DS Sport...

Right - the same car fitted with the post 1968 front end

Above the 1964 D Sport alongside the regular DS Berline
Left the interior of this prototype was very luxurious

Other prototypes were further removed from the production DS, one built in 1965 being equipped with headlamps mounted in front of the radiator and operating through an opening in the bonnet as shown in the picture on the right which shows the system fitted to an otherwise standard ID 19.

For daytime use, the lights were concealed behind a perspex panel that preserved the line of the bonnet and which would be lowered (hydraulically) when the lights were switched on. The angle of the perspex panel meant that refraction would have rendered the lights ineffective, although for daytime use during flashing of the lights when a properly directed beam was not essential, the panel stayed in place.

This car's bonnet and front wings, together with the windscreen were forward hinged at a point just forward of the radiator making access to the lights and rear spark plug very easy indeed although it is likely that it would have been very heavy since it incorporated the windscreen and lights..

The car was equipped with DIRAVI or Varipower steering.

The spare wheel was mounted at the rear.

As all D owners are aware, access to the rear spark plug is somewhat restricted and headlamp adjustment on the post 1967 models is similarly difficult.

Throughout the sixties, the imminent launch of the Sports DS was rumoured but sadly the car never saw the light of day.
Eventually, the project was redefined as the luxurious, Maserati-powered SM.

Desiring to break the 200 kph limit, research was undertaken in 1966 to create a Sports version of the DS powered by a twin carburettor engine of 2 175 cc capacity developing 125 bhp.

This car employed a shortened, coupé version of the DS body similar to those developed by Ricou and others.