Just as it had done 21 years previously with the revolutionary Traction Avant, Citroën stunned the world again at the 1955 Paris Salon with the launch of the futuristically styled DS.

Beneath the shark-like newcomer's aerodynamically efficient, low-drag bodyshell, there was an all-independent, self-levelling, hydro-pneumatic suspension, plus power-operated brakes, clutch and steering.

No European car would match the ride quality of the DS for several years, and the fundamental soundness of Citroën's hydro-pneumatic suspension was demonstrated by its survival in various models for more than four decades.

The DS' original 1,911 cc overhead-valve, long-stroke engine was replaced in 1966 by a short-stroke 1,985 cc unit, also available in 2,175 cc and 2,347 cc versions, while other DS developments included swivelling headlights, fuel injection and a five-speed manual gearbox.

Citroën sold 1,455,746 examples, with 1,330,755 manufactured at the Paris Quai André-Citroën production plant.

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