The 1957-1975 Citroën Chapron DS 19/20/21/23, a rare and expensive convertible conversion of the front-drive Citroën DS-series sedans, was carried out by the French coachbuilder Henri Chapron. The model was built in very small numbers to customer order, mostly for very wealthy private buyers and the French government.

Most of the models had two-door bodywork, but some four-door convertible sedans were also built. Chapron continued to carry out this work on the replacement CX models but, like these earlier DS examples, most were not exported. Thus, finding a DS ragtop in the U.S. will be akin to the old needle-in-a-haystack exercise.

Pluses of the 1957-1975 Citroën Chapron DS 19/20/21/23:
  • Unique design in all respects
  • Ride and handling still up to current standards
  • Parts still available from overseas
  • Budget buy
  • High appreciation potential
  • Great scarcity
  • Milestone status
Minuses of the 1957-1975 Citroën Chapron DS 19/20/21/23:
  • Mechanically complex, so expect restoration and maintenance headaches
  • Disappointing acceleration
  • Strange dash and minor control layout
  • Brakes demand driver practice
  • Rust-prone
  • Few body parts available
Production of the 1957-1975 Citroën Chapron DS 19/20/21/23:
approximately 100 per year

Specifications of the 1957-1975 Citroën Chapron DS 19/20/21/23:
Wheelbase, inches: 123.0
Length, inches: 190.5
Weight, pounds: approx. 3,200
Price, new: NA

Engines for the 1957-1975 Citroën Chapron DS 19/20/21/23:

Type Size
 Horsepower
Years
ohv I-4
 1,911 cc (117 cid)
 60 1955-1956
ohv I-4 1,985 cc (121 cid)
 103 1966-1975
ohv I-4 2,175 cc (133 cid)
 115 1968-1975
ohv I-4 2,347 cc (143 cid)
 125 1971-1975

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