Citroën DS restoration with an unusual electric conversion plan
This Citroën DS came to us in the Czech Republic from Berlin. It was immediately obvious that the year of manufacture, the front end, and the headlights didn't quite match up. This isn't uncommon with older vehicles. Especially with the Citroën DS, many cars were modified, adapted, or reused with parts from other model years over the decades.
The owner's idea was unusual: the DS was to be brought into the 21st century and equipped with an electric drive. For our workshops, this would have been doubly special: our first Citroën DS restoration and at the same time our first classic car electric conversion.
In the end, the idea was abandoned. The owner sold the car, and the project ended before the actual conversion could begin. For us, therefore, it remained a matter of initial assessment of the vehicle and the planned technical direction.
Citroën DS 1972 with unclear front
The primary goal with this 1972 Citroën DS was not to restore it to its original factory condition. A modern technical overhaul was planned. Nevertheless, before any further steps, it would have been necessary to determine which parts were original to the model year and what had been modified later.
The DS was produced for many years and underwent several revisions. The front end, headlights, fenders, interior, and technical details differ significantly depending on the version. If the year of manufacture, front end, and headlights don't match, it's not just the appearance that's affected. Finding spare parts, registration, parts identification, and subsequent documentation also become more complicated.
Such a project requires a thorough assessment first. What is original? What has been modified? Is it a DS, ID, or DS Pallas? Which parts are missing? Only then can a decision be made as to whether restoring, technically modifying, or selling the Citroën DS is the better option.
Bodywork, hydraulics and electric drive
With the Citroën DS, the unusual technology is often not the primary problem, but rather the condition of the body. Sills, floor areas, door frames, window frames, trunk floor, fender connections, and the rear suspension arm mounts must be carefully inspected. If an electric conversion is planned, battery weight, installation space, and mounting points must also be considered.
Hydraulics is also a separate area of expertise. Hydropneumatics, lines, suspension spheres, pump, steering, braking system, and leveling system must function reliably and predictably. With the combustion engine eliminated, the supply systems for these components must be completely redesigned. Hydraulic pump, high-pressure lines, brake pressure, electrical supply, and future maintenance cannot be improvised.
Converting to electric drive would therefore not have been a simple engine swap. Besides the Citroën DS bodywork, rust removal and painting, weight distribution, battery box, wiring, corrosion protection and subsequent approval would also have had to be addressed.
Project terminated before launch
This project remained in the planning phase. Its cancellation was a shame, but understandable. A 1972 Citroën DS with an unclear year of manufacture, potential bodywork needs, hydropneumatic suspension, and a planned electric conversion requires a solid technical and financial framework before work can begin.
If you're planning to restore or modify a Citroën DS, Citroën ID, DS Pallas, or another French vehicle, photos of the body, undercarriage, sills, window frames, engine compartment, hydraulics, interior, and existing parts will be helpful. At our workshops in the Czech Republic, we'll assess how to best plan restoration, rust removal, mechanical work, painting, or a custom modification.
