1974 Citroën DS 23 IE

[svip]

Some may already know that I own a 1998 Citroën Xantia Activa V6. But that was not my first car. It was my third car.

My very first car was (and is) a 1974 Citroën DS 23 IE. (My second was a 1985 Citroën CX TRS 22, that I have since sold as it was in too bad shape to start work on it.) I still own it and it holds a special place in my heart. Along with my Xantia, but for different reasons.

But without further ado, here are some pictures of it:




Off the top of my head, I have done the following on the car:

• Replaced its water pump.
• Installed a 1-2-3 Ignition.
• Repaired its height regulator's front wheel flow back pipe, as it was clogged, so the front wheels would not go down.
• Replaced its hydraulic return pipe as it became leaky.
• A gaffe-tape-like solution to its after marked fuel pump, which appears to be working.
• Fitted more sound proofing underneath its windscreen.

That and replacing its tyres and oil, there haven't been anything major until now.

Unfortunately, we've discovered that water was leaking into the oil, so now I have sent it to a motor renovation. They expect the price to be between £4,000 and £5,000, but considering its otherwise excellent condition (no rust), I am willing to spend that amount on it.

But it will require a new head gasket, new cylinder head, new pistons, new valves, new cam followers among other things. Fortunately, the camshaft is fine, so that won't need replacing. I am also having its clutch plate replaced while the engine is out.

So I have not seen my car since November, and I miss it. Fortunately, Spring is anew and soon its repairs will be finished. Unfortunately, the shop we are trying to get the new pistons from are not very competent and keeps sending the wrong pistons.

[Stickyfinger]

ohhh that's nice. Just fit the Activa suspension, shoe in a Ej9 V.6 and it will be perfect

[svip]

ohhh that's nice. Just fit the Activa suspension to it and it will be perfect

Funny you should mention it. Back in the 1950s, when Citroën was working on the DS, they were also working on the anti-roll bar arms that we now know from the Activa suspension. But since Citroën was basically always about to go bankrupt, people with spreadsheets told the engineers to stop that endeavour.

So the Activa suspension wasn't exactly a new thing for Citroën in the 1990s, they were just finally given the permission to fit it to their cars.

In the same way that Citroën had dreamt of a 6 cylinder boxer engine for the DS.

[HansNOR]

But it will require a new head gasket, new cylinder head, new pistons, new valves, new cam followers among other things. Fortunately, the camshaft is fine, so that won't need replacing. I am also having its clutch plate replaced while the engine is out.

Has it been poorly maintained or has a lot of mileage on it? I'm surprised of all the things you need to replace .. and that the cam is fine when the followers are worn out.

Great looking car thou

[svip]

But it will require a new head gasket, new cylinder head, new pistons, new valves, new cam followers among other things. Fortunately, the camshaft is fine, so that won't need replacing. I am also having its clutch plate replaced while the engine is out.

Has it been poorly maintained or has a lot of mileage on it? I'm surprised of all the things you need to replace .. and that the cam is fine when the followers are worn out.

It has only gone about ~140000 km, so that shouldn't be the problem.

I know this much about the car's history; it was imported in the late 1990s from France to Denmark, where it was unable to start. Several owners tried to fix it, but to no avail until it ended up with the guy I bought it from, who had fixed it. This history should probably have made me a bit sceptical, but at the time I did not think much of it.

Because if the car has been poorly maintained, then it is only the engine that has. The rest of the car is fine. But as I've said, everything else is in such great shape, that I am willing to offer that expenditure. I do miss it, though.

[HansNOR]

It is as u say still a great car even if the engine needs a major overhaul .. and the good thing about it is that u can cruise it at highway speeds afterwards and know it is ok


There is a DS Break for sale here in Norway atm. It is a 1975 model but a Restoration project and priced at 59000 Nok (which I find a bit much as I'm not too fond of the break). If only I had bought a DS when I first started thinking of buying older cars .. ..

[Stickyfinger]

Hans....did you see the Activa for sale in Norway ?

[svip]

Just a quickie:



My DS hauling spare parts (bonnet and front bumper) for my Activa V6.

[myglaren]

Lovely ^