Bonhams will be auctioning these 3 Citroëns at Retromobile in Paris on February 2, 2023. Along with those we already reported being offered by Artcurial and RM/Sothebys, the total number Citroëns being offered for sale are 18 — including 5 DS cabriolets.
Here are the ones from Bonhams “Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris”:
1968 DS21 Cabriolet
Lot # 608
No reserve
Est: 160,000 € – 220,000 € [$ US]
Update — Feb 1, 2023: Sold for 195,500 €
This Citroën DS 21 M left the Citroën factory on February 8, 1968 and left Henri Chapron coachwork on April 11, 1968. It was returned to Citroën and sold new in France on the 18th of that month. History is unclear until it was acquired in 1974 by a Mr Le Goff in Sceaux and kept until 1990 when it went to a German collection and underwent a general overhaul by the British specialist Pallas Auto of Northfleet costing £3,000.
In 2015, the DS cabriolet was acquired by its current owner, who commissioned major work between 2016 and 2020 which was undertaken by the specialist Jean-Louis Publier. In total more than 700 hours were spent perfecting this car’s details so that it is as close as possible to what Citroën and Chapron produced in 1968.
Covering only 200 kms since restoration, it still has all its period numbers confirmed by the Citroën Héritage and Chapron certificates.
1964 DS19 Pallas
Lot # 609
No reserve
Est: 40,000 € – 60,000 € [$ US]
Update — Feb 1, 2023: Sold for 51,750 €
This highly original DS19 Pallas is a 1965 model built in November 1964 (the Pallas was introduced in October 1964, so this is one of the first). The car was purchased new by a doctor from Paris. Unfortunately, he was only able to enjoy it for a few years. After his death, his widow could not part with the DS, so she stored it in a warm dry garage on trestles and undercover. It remained there for 25 years. When the widow died, the DS was taken over by a relative from Provence. The car had only 27,900 kilometers on the odometer at the time.
Subsequently the DS was brought to the Netherlands by Ton Claus and was displayed in the Crescia museum (Garage du Lac) before ending up in a German collection. The car has been owned by the current vendor (a Dutch collector) since 2015.
The DS has not been restored but is extremely well preserved. A paint measurement shows that the car retains 90% of its original paintwork, with only a very small piece on the right door repainted once.
The interior is upholstered in Rouge Carmin, which is completely original and in mint condition. The carpet, the dashboard, and the trunk lining are all in ‘as new’ condition, though looking at the interior photo it appears there is some water staining to the headliner.
This DS19 Pallas was entrusted to DS specialist Bart Kocken in 2017 with the requirement to make the car impeccable mechanically at a cost of €21,061. The odometer reading is still only 31,600 kilometers, presenting quite an opportunity to own an early DS Pallas preserved in a remarkable state of originality.
1934 Kégresse P17E Military Half-track
Lot # 641
No reserve
Est: 20,000 € – 30,000 € [$ US]
Update — Feb 1, 2023: Sold for 34,500 €
This Kégresse P17E was ordered by the French war ministry in December 1933, it is by consequence a 1934 model which started its life in the French army.
Sadly, nothing is known of the history of this Citroën Kégresse, which has been kept in storage since its acquisition by the vendor. Re-commissioning will be required before further use.
You can view all Bonhams’ “Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris” Retromobile 2023 auction listings here: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27987/les-grandes-marques-du-monde-a-paris/