Vénérable Déesse

When the *Déesse* (French for “Goddess”) was unveiled at the 1955 Paris Motor Show, *L’Auto-Journal* ran the headline: “The bombshell has dropped!” And what a bombshell it was—by the time the show ended, over 80,000 purchase contracts had been signed. Statistically, this works out to a customer signing a contract every two seconds while the show was open—a remarkable feat for the team at the Citroën stand. Over a production run of nearly twenty years, 1,455,746 units of this model were sold. With its unconventional design, hydropneumatic suspension, high-pressure braking system, power steering, semi-automatic transmission, spare wheel housed in the engine bay, and numerous other features, the DS was arguably the greatest sensation in the history of automotive engineering. Continuous improvements and technical or visual modifications were introduced throughout its production life. “Administration” was a trim level reserved exclusively for government-owned vehicles; consequently, the model is colloquially known as the “Préfecture.” Externally, the *Préfecture* model was understated, always finished in black paint—including the B- and C-pillar trim, which also featured a black finish rather than the standard ribbed and brushed aluminum cladding. Inside, however, these cars were always painted light grey (*gris rosé*)—including the inner door panels—and usually fitted with blue upholstery. This created a car that appeared very discreet from the outside, yet offered an interior ambiance that felt exceptionally welcoming.

This DS 19 *Administration* (chassis number 60.465) was first registered on August 6, 1959, and we acquired it from a customer in Bremen in October 2021. He had owned the car for 22 years but had known it for nearly 45. In the mid-1970s, the car was imported to Germany by a DS enthusiast from Düsseldorf and registered in his name on December 19, 1985. He had purchased the car directly from the *Préfecture* in Paris, and the original registration number sequence issued by the *Préfecture* remains on the vehicle to this day. Apart from a coolant temperature gauge—retrofitted in the 1960s and mounted inside the glovebox lid—the car remained in completely original condition. Our client from Bremen had kept an eye on the car over the years, and on December 29, 1999, it finally came into his possession (or rather, was registered in his wife’s name). The vehicle was still in its original condition. Since then, all service work has been documented on a record card; the first entry was an oil change in January 2000 at a mileage of 125,000 km. Every service and repair performed from that point to the present has been documented. The car was evidently well cared for from the very beginning and never modified in any way. During the time our Bremen client owned it, the car was used for short trips, long excursions, and holidays to France and South Tyrol; it was always perfectly maintained and cared for with almost obsessive attention to detail. At one point, the vehicle was sold to an acquaintance but was subsequently reacquired on August 12, 2004, under a right-of-repurchase agreement. Although there were no issues with rust, the paintwork had become dull and matte over time; consequently, the bodywork received a fresh exterior-only paint job in 2009, at which time the headliner was also replaced. Since then, the car has looked as though it had only recently been delivered. Early DS models featured a Plexiglas rear window, which tended to scratch and turn cloudy relatively quickly. The rear window is so clear that, when inspecting the car, our managing director had to touch it to confirm it was made of plastic. The dashboard, upholstery, door panels, and floor coverings are all in excellent original condition. The trunk lining is also original, though the vinyl has developed some cracking over the past six decades. What makes this DS special is not just its superb visual and mechanical condition, but the fact that it is fully roadworthy. Wear-and-tear parts have consistently been replaced with new, genuine components. In February 2019, the engine was removed and completely resealed; the power steering system was resealed at the same time. The car has a total mileage of 181,692 kilometers, and everything functions perfectly. We sold the car in October 2021 to a Citroën enthusiast who intended to keep it forever. However, plans can change unexpectedly; when we acquired an even rarer, fully restored model, that customer purchased it instead. Consequently, we now have the privilege of selling this exceptionally well-preserved DS once again. It is a very early DS “Préfecture” model that has been in the hands of enthusiasts for nearly 40 years and has been cherished accordingly. Over the course of 62 years, it has truly become a venerable “Goddess.”

We subject every vehicle to a systematic inspection—covering everything from the bodywork and engine to the electrical system. Based on this, we prepare three package options for you to choose from.

Économie – €58,000 (€55,600 until July 8, 2026)
A tested, roadworthy vehicle that is safe to drive, featuring a valid general inspection (TÜV) through April 2028 and certification for historic vehicle status (H-plate).

Standard – €62,000 (€58,900 until July 8, 2026)
Includes everything in the Économie package, plus a major service, oil change, and new suspension bump stops.

Suprême – €65,900 (€62,700 until July 8, 2026)
Includes everything in the Standard package, plus new battery and starter cables, as well as wax-based cavity and underbody preservation.

We would be happy to send you the details of these three options. Alternatively, simply give us a call, and we can explain everything to you personally.