A French icon in miniature
This burgundy and cream-roof Citroën DS 19 reproduced by Dinky-Toys under Éditions Atlas captures all the revolutionary elegance of the French "Goddess". This 1/43rd scale miniature is a faithful tribute to the automotive innovation of the 1950s, offering collectors an exceptional piece that goes beyond a simple toy to become a true collectible.
Presented in its distinctive two-tone livery, this meticulous replica reflects the refinement and technical boldness that made this iconic model famous worldwide. Every detail of this miniature pays tribute to the pioneering spirit of Flaminio Bertoni and André Lefèbvre, the designers of this revolutionary car.
Miniature specifications
- Model: Citroën DS 19
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1955-1975
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Burgundy with cream roof
- Manufacturer: Dinky-Toys (Éditions Atlas)
- Protective case included: Yes
The DS's revolutionary innovation
Launched in October 1955 at the Paris Motor Show, the Citroën DS immediately sent shockwaves through the global car industry. Its futuristic design, the work of Italian sculptor Flaminio Bertoni, broke radically with the aesthetic codes of the time. The DS's flowing, aerodynamic lines, nicknamed the "Goddess" by its admirers, anticipated the car of tomorrow with unmatched boldness.
The DS also revolutionized automotive engineering with its high-pressure hydraulic system, which powered the power steering, brakes and self-levelling suspension. This innovation allowed the car to adjust automatically to changes in load and deliver exceptional ride comfort. The 1911 cm³ four-cylinder engine initially produced 75 horsepower, driving this avant-garde saloon toward immediate commercial success.
From its unveiling, the DS sparked extraordinary enthusiasm, with more than 80,000 orders recorded at the Paris show. This triumphant reception confirmed that Citroën had created not just a car, but a true rolling work of art that would forever leave its mark on the history of French industry.
Citroën, a pioneer of automotive innovation
André Citroën founded his company in 1919 with the ambition of making motoring accessible to the masses in France. From the outset, the company stood out for its innovative approach to mass production and its ability to offer revolutionary engineering solutions. The Traction Avant, launched in 1934, already foreshadowed the spirit of innovation that would later define the DS.
In the 1950s, under the leadership of Pierre Bercot, Citroën further cemented its reputation as a visionary manufacturer. The company invested heavily in research and development, particularly in high-pressure hydraulics. This technical expertise, combined with a bold aesthetic approach, positioned the double-chevron marque as the laboratory of French automotive engineering.
The DS perfectly embodies this corporate philosophy in which technical innovation goes hand in hand with aesthetic excellence. This distinctive approach set Citroën apart from its competitors and forged a brand identity unlike any other in the global car landscape of the 1950s.
De Gaulle and his DS: a matter of state
The most memorable episode in the DS's history is inseparably linked to General de Gaulle. On 22 August 1962, at Petit-Clamart, the presidential DS narrowly escaped an OAS assassination attempt. Riddled with bullets, the President's car nevertheless kept going thanks to its revolutionary hydraulic suspension, which compensated for the punctured rear tyres.
This dramatic episode turned the DS into a symbol of resilience and technical reliability. General de Gaulle himself praised the exceptional qualities of his car, declaring that it had saved his life. This unintended but spectacular publicity cemented the DS's status as a national icon.
Beyond this historic episode, the DS quickly became the official car of the French Republic. Its natural elegance and technological prestige made it the preferred choice of senior dignitaries and public figures around the world. Many heads of state adopted the DS, contributing to its international reach and its reputation as an ambassador of French craftsmanship.
This exceptional historical and cultural dimension makes every DS, whether full-size or miniature, a special testament to an era when France excelled at combining technical innovation with aesthetic refinement.
Complete your French miniatures collection
This Dinky-Toys DS 19 naturally fits into a collection dedicated to French model cars. It pairs beautifully with other icons of French motoring, notably the models in the Citroën DS collection, which let you explore the various versions of this revolutionary lineage.
Collectors passionate about 1950-1979 classics will especially appreciate this replica, which sits perfectly alongside other landmark references of the era. The quality of the Dinky-Toys reproduction, faithfully rendered by Éditions Atlas, ensures perfect aesthetic consistency with the other pieces from this golden age of model car making.
This miniature appeals as much to seasoned collectors as to enthusiasts of French motoring who want a tangible tribute to national engineering excellence. It is also a prized piece for starting a thematic collection around revolutionary saloon cars or the marque's creations bearing the double chevron.
