DS 23 Pallas 1973 (19 151 Km)
Colour : gris nacré AC 095
MODEL : In September 1972 (model year 73), the DS23 replaces, with an engine displacement of 2347cc, the DS21. Like the outgoing version, it was available with a carburettor (115CV, 179km/hr) or fuel injection (130CV, 188km/hr).
The DS 23 was delivered in either Confort or Pallas specifications, with the latter selling the most. Three types of gearbox were available :
- 4 speed hydraulic semi-automatic box
- 5 speed manual box
- 3 speed fully automatic box
This DS23 is a Pallas version, with carburettor and hydraulic gearbox. It’s an export model (known as ‘P.O.’ – Pour L’outremer). In this specification, it gains 3 dust filters, on the openings for the hydraulic fluid, petrol tank, and gearbox, as well as a water thermometer on the dashboard in addition to a simple warning light. Sold new in Switzerland, this DS was equipped from the outset with white headlamps, and the directional lights being equipped with extra fuses.
HISTORY :
The first owner of this DS was a Swiss businessman working in the south west of France. Unfortunately, his business became bankrupt and his assets, among which was this DS, was taken as security.
In 1998, the car was put up for auction. It was purchased by my Parisian vendor, who was working for the auctioneer. The car, which had been kept in an ‘as new’ state, was dry stored in a garage in the Paris region. It ran for no more than 50kms in 11 years, but its owner, very wisely, regularly started it up.
As long ago as 1998, a friend made me aware of the existence of the car. I nevertheless saw the car only in 2005, at which point the owner was not prepared to sell. The first encounter with this ‘23’ was a great moment : the car was indeed in an exceptional state. 4 years of annual visits and negotiations followed. Finally, with the owner’s house move in the summer of 2009 accelerating the negotiations, the sale was finally concluded.