KM: 11 530 Kms
YEAR: 10/1967 (AM 1968)
COLOUR: Gris Palladium AC108
MODEL:
5 bearing engine of 1985cc, 11CV for taxation, from where it is called the DS19.
4 speed manual gearbox, from where it is called the DS19M
The highest level of luxury, called PALLAS with the option of brown leather upholstery.
From September 1967:
New front end with directional headlamps
Alternator instead of dynamo.
The surrounds of the headlamps and front indicators are in stainless steel (up to April 1969), before they were in plastic.
Price at the time: 2,367 euros (minimum monthly wage : 56 euros).
HISTORY:
After reading an advert in La Vie Auto in February 1995, several French and some Dutch people and myself were all surprised to find ourselves at the same meeting in the Rue Chateau-Neuf in nice, in front of the mansion owned by the deceased owner. Her nephew was taking care of the sale. Furthermore, what we did not know on arriving, was that the car was going to be sold by auction. Each person had a turn to make an offer. By lunchtime, there were 3 bidders left who wanted the car, 2 Dutch people and myself.
The vendor asked us to return after lunch at 2pm. I was going to be unable to bid much higher. I had lunch with my friend Pascal who encouraged me to not wait until 2pm. I made my final offer while committing to looking after the car for the future museum and to never sell it. The vendor understood these arguments and preferred to let me have the car, and the promise was kept.
15 years later, the nephew passed through Castellane and had the pleasure of seeing his aunt’s car again, which he found very moving.