After 18 years of secret development, the DS19 was introduced on 5th October, 1955, at the Paris Motor Show.

In the first 15 minutes of the show, 743 orders were taken and orders for the first day totalled 12,000 cars.

To a France still deep in reconstruction after the devastation of World War II and also building its identity in the post-colonial world, the DS motor car was a symbol of French ingenuity.

The DS was the first mass production car with front power disc brakes.

It also featured hydropneumatic suspension including an automatic levelling system, variable ground clearance, power steering and a semi-automatic transmission and a fibreglass roof which reduced weight.

It also sported inboard front brakes as well as independent suspension.

Different front and rear track widths and tyre sizes reduced the understeer typical of front-engined and front-wheel drive cars.

As with all French cars, the DS design was affected by the tax horsepower system which effectively mandated s...