KM : 43 830 Kms
YEAR: 03/1957
COLOUR: Black, black roof AC 200
MODEL
The most sought after DS of 1957 is the one made up to May, as it carries over several of the features of the 1956 model DS, namely:
- Front valance with protective sheets of embossed metal on the sides
- Steering wheel wrapped in nylon instead of tape coming in june.
- Bonnet stand on the left side
- Central exhaust pipe with its ‘carp tail’ trim
- Rear wing trims with red stripes
HISTORY
Luck was with me this particular day. I was returning from Moselle carrying an as-new AX for the future part of the museum on the trailer. As I was slowed by the speedbumps of Grenoble, my telephone rang:
“-Would you be interested in a 1957 DS, immobilised since 1966?
-What condition, what mileage?
-Always stored indoors, 43,000kms. But you’ll have to hurry, it will be sold tomorrow unless you make me a better offer.
-Where is the car?
-At La Mure, near Grenoble.
30 minutes later, I opened the barn doors to find the DS immobilised under a layer of dust, original paint, without an exterior rear view mirror (so the car had been immobilised before 1970). It had the rare 1.6m length rear indicators, known as ‘les trompettes de Jericho’ (trumpets of Jericho). The car originated from the region of Saone and Loire. The only downside appeared to be the blue Helanca interior dating from after 1960. I made an offer which was accepted. One week later, I recovered the car to my workshop. My first job was to remove the seat covers, when I discovered the correct original grey cloth in beautiful condition. After 2 months of mechanical work, the DS was returned to operation on the route Napoleon.