DS 19  de septembre 1958                              

KM : 62558

COLOUR: Gris rosé AC 136

MODEL:
1911cc engine, 75Ch at 4500rpm.
Front disc brakes. Hydraulically operated clutch and gearbox.
Power steering and brakes, hydropneumatic suspension.
6 volt battery and dynamo. ‘8 jours’ combined clock-ashtray (from 1955 to 1958).
From June 1957, new steering wheel with white tape in place of nylon thread.
From February 1958, new twin pipe exhaust exiting on the left rear.
From April 1958, rear wing trim without a red insert.
Price at the time: 1,069,000 old Francs.

HISTORY:
Mr Dourson ran a carpentry business to the north of Metz (in the Guéblange valley). He ordered this DS in 1958 and mainly used it in the first few years. On his death in 1984, the car passed to his god-daughter’s son, Mr Vincent Gry. He was passionate about Tractions, and rarely used the DS. Good storage conditions preserved the car, in the company of several Tractions.
After 20 years of not moving, the decision was made to part with it. Mr Gry’s family wanted it to remain in France. They contacted the president of the local DS club, my friend Michel Fabriol. Michel was aware of the scale of the work required on a first generation DS. He knew my passion for the first models and thought of putting me in contact with the family of Mr Gry.
After a tricky exit from the garage, the car was taken to the museum, straight into the workshop. All the hydraulics were revised. The project was over 600hours of work (see the ‘atelier’ (workshop) section). The DS finally returned to the road for the final adjustments needed for full driving pleasure.