Citroën DS Cabriolet by Henri Chapron — The Goddess Convertible
Citroën DS Cabriolet by Henri Chapron — The Goddess Convertible
The Citroën DS is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and technically advanced cars ever built. When it debuted at the 1955 Paris Motor Show, it stunned the world with its spaceship-like styling, hydropneumatic suspension, and revolutionary design. But as stunning as the standard DS was, there was an even more exclusive version — the cabriolet conversions by Henri Chapron.
Henri Chapron was a renowned French coachbuilder who had been crafting custom bodies for luxury cars since before WWII. When Citroën decided not to produce a factory convertible version of the DS, Chapron stepped in. Starting in 1958 and continuing through the DS’s entire production run (until 1975), Chapron hand-built some of the most beautiful convertibles ever to come out of France.
The car shown here is a later-model DS 23 IE (injection électronique) cabriolet, featuring the fuel-injected engine and the iconic swivelling headlamps. With Chapron’s elegant open-top bodywork, it is the ultimate expression of French automotive art.
A Technical Revolution
The Citroën DS was unlike anything on the road in 1955. Its innovations were decades ahead of their time.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.3L inline-four (fuel-injected) |
| Power | 130 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 145 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm |
| Top Speed | ~185 km/h (115 mph) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual or semi-auto |
| Suspension | Hydropneumatic (self-levelling) |
| Weight | ~1,350 kg (2,975 lbs) |
The DS’s hydropneumatic suspension was its most famous feature. Instead of conventional springs and shock absorbers, each wheel was supported by a sphere filled with nitrogen gas and hydraulic fluid, pressurised by a belt-driven pump. This gave the DS a ride quality that was unmatched for decades — it could glide over rough roads while maintaining perfect level, regardless of load.
Other innovations included:
- Power-assisted steering (unusual for the era)
- Inboard front disc brakes (mounted near the gearbox to reduce unsprung weight)
- Swivelling headlamps that turned with the steering wheel
- Fibreglass roof to lower the centre of gravity
- Radial ply tyres as standard
The Chapron Touch
Henri Chapron’s DS cabriolets were not simply sawed-off saloons. Each conversion involved significant structural reinforcement, including a reinforced chassis, strengthened sills, and a hidden roll-over structure. The result was a car that retained the DS’s legendary ride quality while offering open-air motoring.
Chapron produced approximately 1,360 DS cabriolets over the car’s production run, making them rare and highly collectible today. Each car was individually numbered and carried a Chapron plaque on the dashboard.
The interior was trimmed to the highest standards, with leather upholstery, wood trim, and thick carpeting. The convertible top was fully lined and power-operated, folding neatly behind the rear seats.
Chapron also built a small number of “Le Caddy” shooting brake (estate) versions, presidential limousines, and even a few one-off coupes — but the cabriolets remain the most desirable.
The DS in South Africa
Citroën has a long history in South Africa. The DS was sold through official importers from the late 1950s, and it found a devoted following among South Africans who appreciated its unique blend of style, comfort, and technology.
The DS was famously used by the South African Police in the 1960s and 1970s as a high-speed pursuit vehicle. The hydropneumatic suspension allowed it to maintain incredible stability at high speeds on rough roads, making it ideal for chasing down criminals on SA’s often uneven tarmac.
Chapron DS cabriolets are exceptionally rare in South Africa — only a handful are known to exist. They are prized by collectors and regularly feature at Concours d’Élégance events around the country, where they invariably draw crowds.
Today, the Citroën DS Club of South Africa keeps the passion alive, with regular rallies, technical sessions, and social gatherings. The DS remains one of the most revered classic cars in the country, celebrated for its timeless design and engineering brilliance.
Legacy
The Citroën DS has been called “the most beautiful car of all time” by everyone from Top Gear to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), which has a DS in its permanent design collection. It was voted “Car of the Century” in 1999 by a panel of automotive journalists, finishing ahead of the Mini and the Volkswagen Beetle.
Henri Chapron’s DS cabriolet is the rarest and most beautiful expression of this legendary car. With only around 1,300 ever built in DS 23 IE form, they are among the most collectible French cars in existence.
Today, a Chapron DS cabriolet in good condition can fetch anywhere from €100,000 to €250,000+ at auction, depending on provenance and condition. They are the ultimate prize for any French car enthusiast.
Sources:
- Wikipedia — Citroën DS
- Citroën DS Club of South Africa
- Henri Chapron — Coachbuilder
- Classic Driver — Citroën DS Chapron
The Citroën DS is a car that divides opinion — some see it as a work of art, others as a quirky French oddity. What do you think? Would you take a Chapron DS cabriolet over a classic Mercedes or Jaguar convertible? Share your thoughts in the comments!