Discover this magnificent reproduction of the legendary Citroën DS 19 in its two-tone black and white roof, published by Del Prado. This miniature perfectly captures the revolutionary essence of the "Goddess," a vehicle that marked the history of the French and global automobile industry with its avant-garde design.
This exceptional collector's piece is aimed at automotive enthusiasts and discerning collectors who wish to own a piece of Citroën's history in their showcase.
Features of the miniature
- Model: DS 19
- Brand: Citroën
- Year: 1955-1975
- Scale: 1/43
- Color: Black with a white roof
- Manufacturer: Del Prado
- Protective case included: Yes
The revolutionary model
The Citroën DS 19 was unveiled with great fanfare at the Paris Motor Show in October 1955, causing a genuine earthquake in the automotive industry. Flaminio Bertoni for design and André Lefèbvre for technique created a vehicle that seemed to come from the future, with its smooth and aerodynamic lines that completely broke with the aesthetic codes of the time.
The technical innovations of the DS 19 were just as revolutionary as its design. The hydropneumatic suspension, assisted disc brakes, power steering, and semi-automatic transmission made this car a concentration of cutting-edge technologies. Its drag coefficient of 0.36 was remarkable for the time.
The success was immediate: 12,000 orders were recorded on the very first day of the show, reflecting the public's enthusiasm for this exceptional car, which would become one of the symbols of the French automotive industry.
Citroën and permanent innovation
In the mid-1950s, Citroën was already recognized for its innovative spirit and ability to challenge conventions. The brand with chevrons, founded by André Citroën in 1919, had already made a name for itself with the Traction Avant in the 1930s, the first production car with front-wheel drive and a monocoque body.
The design of the DS was in line with this tradition of innovation. Pierre Boulanger, followed by Pierre-Jules Bercot at the helm of Citroën, aimed to create a completely new vehicle that would surpass the competition with its technical advancements. The team led by André Lefèbvre had a substantial budget and exceptional creative freedom to carry out this ambitious project. This philosophy of continuous innovation characterized Citroën at the time, positioning the brand as a technological pioneer of the European automotive industry.
A movie star
The Citroën DS 19 did not merely revolutionize the automotive world; it became a true cultural icon. Its most memorable appearance in cinema remains that of the film "Fantômas" in 1964, where Louis de Funès's blue DS performs a spectacular jump from the Concorde bridge. This legendary scene has marked generations of viewers and definitively anchored the DS in the French popular imagination.
Roland Barthes, the famous semiologist, even dedicated an entire chapter to the DS in his "Mythologies" in 1957, describing this car as "the best messenger of a superior world". He compared its unveiling at the show to a genuine "descent of a celestial object," highlighting the extraordinary aesthetic and symbolic impact of this creation.
The DS was also the official car of General de Gaulle, who survived the Petit-Clamart attack in 1962 thanks to the exceptional road qualities of his presidential DS. This dramatic episode further contributed to the legend of this "protective Goddess", capable of saving the life of the French head of state.
Beyond these famous anecdotes, the DS represented the optimism and modernity of the Trente Glorieuses, embodying the French art of living and national technical excellence during a period of reconstruction and economic prosperity.
Complete your miniature collection
This Citroën DS 19 Del Prado naturally finds its place alongside other iconic models of the Citroën range. It harmonizes perfectly with other variants of DS to recreate the diversity of this revolutionary range.
Enthusiasts of French cars will appreciate pairing it with other classics from the 1950s-1970s. This piece also fits remarkably well into a collection dedicated to Del Prado creations, known for their fidelity to the original models.
Whether you are a seasoned collector or a discerning lover of fine mechanics, this DS 19 constitutes a choice acquisition. It will particularly appeal to aficionados of 1/43 scale and admirers of 1960s automobiles, the golden age of French automotive innovation.
