Sensational DS Decapotable heads French Contingent in Historics 25th November Classic Car Auction

Incredibly futuristic for its day the original 1955 Citroen DS was jointly styled by Italian sculptor and industrial designer Flaminio Bertoni and the French aeronautical engineer André Lefèbvre. Paul Magès developed its advanced hydro-pneumatic self-levelling suspension. Coachbuilder Henri Chapron purchased a total of 389 of the cars and customised them into the DS Decapotable convertible. This restored 1962 example showing 80,184 kilometres is of rare quality and is consequently estimated at a high £130,000 to £180,000.

This slightly later 1967 DS19 Safari is a full seven-seater with side facing jump seats in the load area. It was originally owned by Sir David Duncan who was part of the Mackintosh family, famous for making toffees. He used the car in Kenya and kept her at his lodge near Nairobi. It was sold on in 1995, was restored and remained in South Africa’s kinder climate until shipped to the UK in 1999. With only 68,000 miles recorded and with the desirable ‘frog eye’ headlights last featured in 1967 the car is estimated at £24,000 to £30,000.

Now massively popular as distinctive pop-up food vans at events, the Citroën H-Van was part of French street furniture for decades. Its distinctive bodywork, corrugated for strength, was inspired by the German Junkers Ju52 aircraft of the 1930s. Many were commandeered by the police, ambulance service and, in this case, the fire department. This example was unearthed South of Paris and meticulously restored. With just 30,000 kilometres on its odometer it is estimated at £12,000 to £16,000.

A competitor to the Citroen H van, the Peugeot D3 and its successor, the Peugeot D4 were forward control panel vans originally produced by Chenard-Walcker, whose business Peugeot had acquired by 1950. Unfortunately these Peugeot D3 and later D4 were only made for a very short time so few survive today. Those that do are usually in a poor state but this is one of the few exceptions, described by the vendor as “perfect as it could be.” It is estimated at £8,000 to £12,000.

Finally, an early lot in the sale, this charming 1924 Renault NN Doctor’s Coupe features a Spanish built boar tail body with single ‘dickie’ seat. Having been subject to a complete restoration in the 12980s it comes with a Spanish registration document from 1940, a 1970 green UK ‘log book’ and the correct current V5C. It is estimated at £10,000 to £14,000.

More information on the sale that starts early at 10.00am at Historics.

Viewing Thursday 23^rd November 10.00am to 8.00pm and Friday 24^th November 10.00am to 5.00pm.