Air conditioning parts for 1972 Citroen DS

[Tipjar]

Hello, I'm new to this forum. Thank you for the resource. I live in the southwestern United States and have been looking at Citroen DS cars for sale. I'm older and it gets hot here (today it's over 100F or 38C) so I'd like to find one with air conditioning. I've heard the first year air conditioning was offered was 1972 (in the United States). I've seen several great cars without it. I'm a fairly capable shade tree mechanic. What is the availability of parts to retrofit a Citroen DS with air conditioning? I've heard it may also require a dashboard modification; would that mean a complete swap or just the climate controls? I've also heard the models that offered air conditioning may have had vents around the front bumper; would that be another part that's needed? Is it a complicated job?

[Armidillo]

Greetings from another Citroen owner outside of Europe (I'm in Australia). I'm here for the same sort of reasons as you - looking for help from other knowledgeable French car owners. Sorry, I don't have any experience with Ds, but hopefully someone who can help will spot your post.

In your searching for on-line information, have you come across Aussie Frogs - an Australian-based forum for French car enthusiasts? There is a strong community of D owners in Australia, and much of Australia has hot summers, so we also like our air con. I have noticed that how to fix (or fit) air con in Ds is a fairly regular topic on Aussie Frogs.

Here is the link: https://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/index.php

Cheers

Alec

[Tipjar]

Here is the link: https://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/index.php

I've been browsing the aussiefrog forum based on your link. Appreciate it!

[Paul-R]

You'll find a few of the aussiefrog members posting here as well.