Planeur Classique

Citroën’s Déesse (French for goddess) is a legend in itself, but a DS Cabriolet is arguably one of the most elegant cars ever built. Ever since the 50th anniversary of the DS models in 2005, at which celebrations in Paris a convertible was sold for around €175,000, these rare vehicles have been part of the automotive elite. After the DS sedans saw the light of day in 1955, Citroën contacted French coachbuilder Henri Chapron in 1956 to test the strength of the convertible designed by Flaminio Bertoni (Bertoni had also designed the saloon). In 1959, Citroën ordered a prototype of the DS Cabriolet. Citroën was satisfied and commissioned series production. However, since the production of the convertibles was very expensive, Citroën handed over production directly to Henri Chapron. The resulting convertibles, then called Décapotable, are now known as factory convertibles or, in French, Cabriolet d’Usine. A total of 1,385 such factory convertibles were built. In addition, Henri Chapron manufactured 289 special bodies, called Croisette, Paris, Caddy, Le Dandy, Palm Beach, Concorde, Leman, Majesty, and Lorraine. However, only the so-called factory convertibles were marketed and sold through Citroën, and provided with a factory warranty. In 2009, a DS Cabriolet was auctioned for €338,000 at the Retro Classic in Paris, and the previous price record was set by the last factory convertible built, which fetched €394,000. A complete restoration of such a vehicle from the ground up is extremely complex and not possible in less than 3,000 hours of work (see our restoration example). Including materials, paint, and upholstery work, such a full restoration is even more expensive. Due to this fact, many “regular” DS cars have been converted into convertibles over the years, and it is sometimes very difficult to distinguish genuine convertibles from replicas, which are sometimes even better than originals. Rocking through the countryside in a DS Cabriolet is an indescribable driving experience, one that no other open-top car has ever come close to achieving!

This DS 19 Cabriolet is a 1963 convertible sedan. The conversion was carried out by the DS Manufaktur in Brensbach. The Chapron family has permitted the DS Manufaktur to refer to its conversions as the Henri Chapron Series II in recognition of the quality and authenticity of the conversions. Our Managing Director, Dipl.-Ing. Roland Kayser, knows the founder of the DS Manufaktur, Roman Matheja, and several DS Manufaktur vehicles have already passed through our workshop. We know the quality of these vehicles and are convinced that the conversion work can keep up with the standards of Chapron at the time. This vehicle was completed in 2018 for a gentleman from Munich. As part of the conversion work, the entire vehicle’s mechanicals were overhauled, the hydraulic system was converted to the green LHM hydraulic oil used since 1966, and a reconditioned DS 21 engine was installed. A few years later, the Munich-based owner of the car had to accept an unpleasant diagnosis and is therefore no longer able to drive. Therefore, with a heavy heart, he commissioned us to market his dream vehicle. Since the vehicle’s completion in 2018, the convertible has only traveled 3,586 kilometers and is therefore essentially still in its original 2018 condition. A photo book accompanying the vehicle documents the conversion and the associated restoration work.

Our Economy offer for €128,800 refers to the vehicle, which has been inspected and is roadworthy, with a general inspection valid until May 2026 and a vehicle certificate (H-Gesamtbericht). The Standard offer for €131,500 also includes a major inspection, the installation of a black-wrapped steering wheel, and a new general inspection. The Supreme offer for €135,000 also includes the retrofitting of three-point automatic front seat belts, as well as cavity and underbody wax protection. We would be happy to send you a detailed list of the three offers by email.