1972 Citroen ID 'DSuper 5'

When the DS was unveiled at the 1955 Paris Salon, there were gasps of amazement all round-and rightly so. Looking like something that had just arrived from outer space, the DS was revolutionary in every sense, and suddenly Citroen's Traction Avant looked decidedly 'old hat'. In the first 15 minutes of the show, 743 orders were taken, and orders for that first day totalled 12,000.It pushed the boundaries in the "ride versus handling' compromise equation beyond what was thought possible in a motor vehicle. The DS was the first mass produced car with front disc brakes that were mounted inboard on either side of the differential and was effectively a mid-engined front wheel drive car. It also featured 'hydropneumatic' suspension, which included an automatic leveling system, and variable ground clearance, power steering and a semi-automatic transmission.Over its twenty years of currency, the DS appeared in a variety of body shapes with a number of different engines and transmissions, and in 1957 it was decided to produce a simplified version known as the ID19 (in French ID is pronounced "Idée"- idea). This was essentially a DS19 but without the hydraulic steering, brakes or gearbox, while the engine had a lower output and the interior was a little less luxurious.

IDs and their variants went through a similar evolution to the DS, generally lagging its sibling by about a year. In 1973, pretty well at the end of the model's lifespan, the top of the range ID was introduced and was known as the 'DSuper 5', featuring the 2,175cc engine and five-speed gearbox from the DS.

This original RHD Citroen ID DSuper 5 was delivered new to Cyprus where it has remained until just last year. Having spent its more recent years laid up and unused, the car was extensively restored and brought back to life in 2014. All the panels were removed leaving the basic skeleton and all concerned were delighted to find that, primarily because of the dry climate, the car was remarkably well preserved enabling much of the original car to be salvaged and restored to the fantastic condition in which it's presented today.

All mechanical aspects of the car were, of course, similarly treated and the engine benefits from being stripped and checked before being rebuilt with new gaskets and valves. Much the same with the all important hydropneumatic system that has been overhauled and rebuilt. The car is accompanied by a number of invoices detailing the new parts used in the restoration.

This car is superb example of a true icon, and with all the hard work undertaken, this wonderful French 'spaceship' requires nothing else other than to be driven and enjoyed. Amusez-vous bien!