Auction Bonanza! – Lorne Greene’s DS Cabriolet.
On January 27, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona, RM | Sotheby’s will be auctioning a 1967 Citroën DS 21 Décapotable by Chapron that they are hoping will command top dollar because of its provenance. Its owner from 1967 to 1986 was Lorne Greene, noted for his television roles that included Ben Cartwright on the TV western series Bonanza, and Commander Adama in the original science-fiction television series Battlestar Galactica and Galactica 1980.
He also worked on the Canadian television nature documentary series Lorne Greene’s New Wilderness, in television commercials and he started his TV career at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation where he was principal newsreader on the CBC National News.
This 1967 factory DS 21 Décapotable, as confirmed by a Citroën certificate of authentication, is believed to be one of fewer than 90 produced for the model year.
The auction estimate at 220,000 € – 265,000 € ($250K – $300K USD) is a rather lofty goal as the car was previously restored by a renowned Dutch dealer who imported it to The Netherlands in the late 1990s and had it restored by a DS Cabriolet specialist before putting it up for auction with the Poulain & Le Fur auction house in December 2004 where it achieved a world record at the time of more than €85,000. Since then, it traveled only 1,800 km (showing a total mileage of 12,900km) prior to it being offered for sale again at Retromobile in 2019
This time, in the Artcurial action, the car was listed with an estimate sale value between 160 000 – 180 000 €. It sold for 237,800 € and was then imported to Chicago by its new owner. https://www.artcurial.com/en/lot-1967-citroen-ds21-cabriolet-3888-72#popin-active.
Today the odometer reads just 12922km. The gray-green metallic paint and dark green leather interior combo is enticing, though its condition shows wear to the seats, some cracking on the edge of the trunk lid, rust on the wheel rims, some stone chipping to the front valence and damage to the bumper over-riders.
The question that will presumably be answered on Jan 27 is; As a Citroën DS Cabriolet of historical significance, will the price retaining the patina it has acquired see it achieve another record sale? In a strong market at the moment — perhaps, but if the buyer has the intention to refurbish it once again, the price would be hard to justify.
1967 Citroën DS 21 Décapotable by Chapron
Chassis No. 4376057
Est: $250,000 – $300,000 USD
€220,000 – €265,000 EUR
£185,000 – £220,000 GBP
Photos by Jeremy Cliff © 2021 — Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
View the RM Sotheby’s listing and more photos here:
UPDATE — Jan 27, 2022: Sold for $268,800 USD