Citroen DS Introduction 1955

Dutch movietone addressing the introduction of the futuresque Citroen DS at the Paris motor show in 1955

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Citroen
• DS
• Introduction
• 1955

[InflatablePlane]

My GOD!!!! Such an awesome vehicle. Imagine how whacked out it looked to people in 1955 :o I noticed that weird brake "button" on the floor. How did that work? And is it true that the DS had a hydraulic gearchange "assist"?

[diaperzombie]

ooh, yes you could!

[laakeri84]

@ubergeekian Yes, of course. My mistake.

[ubergeekian]

@bibbyg Some early ones had bench fronts seats, so you could get three in the front and three in the back.

[ubergeekian]

@laakeri84 Not true about the load compensation. It uses the rear suspension pressure, true, but that's used to operate a mechanism in the brake control valve (under the floor at the drivers feet) which alters the balance between front and rear brakes. Simple it isn't, but it works very well.

[rerite2]

If they still made these and with modern safety features -- airbags, seat belts, etc. -- I'd buy one.

[laakeri84]

@thenicedudejay Yes, D-models have high pressure brakes, which are part of the car's centralized hydraulic system. It may be the easiest way to implement a brake system since there is no need for a master cylinder, only for a valve. And also the load compensation for rear brakes is simply done by using rear suspension's pressure as a feed for the rear brake circuit. Less components and better functioning - that's the Citroën's way of making cars.

[thenicedudejay]

@laakeri84 yes that "button" controls a brake valve.but the pressurized brake fluid coming from a pump on

the engine ,right? this what a old mechanic told me anyway & he will never forget his first ride in a DS ,when

he hitted the "button" hard & almost flew through the windshield lol.seemed no much resistance at all in

that brake "button" ,as he explained it.why do something the easy way ,when you can do it complicated? lol.

[laakeri84]

The button works same way as the brake pedal in newer models (CX, BX, Xantia etc). Button is connected directly to the brake valve's spindle. And no, it doesn't have hydraulic gearchange "assist", it has a semi-automatic hydraulic gearchange. For more information on DS go to the "Citroënet" --> "Passenger cars" --> "DS/ID and derivatives" --> "DS Hydraulic Gearchange"