To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The
Elkhart Collection event, 23 - 24 October 2020.
- A captivating, coachbuilt DS cabriolet by Chapron
- One of only 483 DS21 versions produced
- Refinished in original Vert Foret with black leather
interior
- Maintained for its first 24 years in the South of France
- Among the most comfortable automobiles ever built
The Citroen SM is a French icon and the Decapotable ranks among its
most sought-after variants. The first was produced in 1958 by
renowned Parisian coachbuilder Henri Chapron, who initially bought
complete DS coupes and converted them. Citroen eventually relented
and had Chapron build the factory cabriolets starting in 1961. In
total there were 1,365 factory cabriolets built by Chapron,
including 483 DS21s; Citroen was still receiving orders long after
official DS production ceased in 1971, with the last cabriolet
completed in 1978. Each was finished to the height of luxury in one
of 15 paint colors, 13 shades of leather upholstery, and three
carpet colors.
The car offered here is from the second season of DS21 cabriolet
production, the most popular year for the model, and is equipped
with automatic transmission. It has had an ideal life. It was sold
new in the South of France to Ralf Emmerling of Port d'Antibes and
remained there until 1990, when it was sold to Paolo Carlini of
Sorengo, Switzerland. Mr. Carlini retained the cabriolet until
2008, when it passed to a collector in the Netherlands. The current
owner acquired the cabriolet in 2013, and it has enjoyed the good
care and maintenance typical of the collection.
During its lifetime the Citroen has been refinished once, in its
original color of Vert Foret, while the remarkably comfortable
black leather interior is mostly original; the Haartz cloth top and
carpets were replaced before the current owner's acquisition, and
the hydraulic systems were converted to the superior LHM "green
fluid." It is reported that the hydraulic suspension system still
works properly and provides a superior ride.
This is among the finest highway automobiles in this collection and
would be a joy to experience running on American country roads and
highways. As the Citroen DS continues to grow in popularity in this
country for its unorthodox and fascinating design, the coachbuilt
cabriolets or Decapotables are among the most desirable and sought
after-especially the more powerful DS21 variant, as that offered
here. It is an exceptional example of the renowned car beloved by
French enthusiasts as the "Goddess."To view this car and others
currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/el20.
