History

The Citroen DS is a pun on the French word for goddess, déesse. The front mid-engined, front-wheel drive executive car had an impressively long production span, lasting from 1955 to 1975 in various guises, like a sedan, wagon, and convertible. The wagon, or “Safari” variant was introduced in 1958, with a steel roof designed to support a roof rack and a stacked arrangement of cone taillights housed within a pair of tailfins. The DS was extremely radical for its time, with its unique styling, and advanced engineering that provided a smooth ride, combined with capable handling.

From 1956 to 1972, the DS was sold in the US, but with limited success. Given that it was vastly different from what the American market was used to, and didn’t have many of the luxury features that American buyers desired, like an automatic transmission, air conditioning, or power windows. It was also seen as underpowered for the price, with an MSRP of $4,170 in 1969 and only 115 hp. 1972 was the final year because the hydroneumatic suspension’s height variations were unable to pass the federal bumper and headlight height regulations. In all only 38,000 Citroen DS’s were sold in the US.

This Car

This particular example, Chassis #3554921, is one of the extremely rare 38,000 units sold stateside, and even more unique in that it’s the wagon or “Safari” variant. It was originally purchased by Dr. Robert Boon of New York State, who kept the car alongside a few other Citroens. The car’s engine was damaged sometime in the 1980s, and it ended up sitting until May 1992, when it was purchased by Norman Hoefs of North Dakota, who put the Citroen back on the road with a good running engine. The current owner purchased the car in 2021 and immediately set out to make it a reliable driver, spending over $20,000 in the process. A majority of the work was performed by well-known and trusted Citroen specialist Dave Burnham, although RBH Tech, another Citroen specialist, also had a hand in bringing this rare DS21 Safari back to a high standard. 

The service records on file start in 2021 and show that this example received a new radiator cap, spark plugs, and wires from Citroen Pieces in San Diego, CA, in November 2021. The various coolant hoses were also acquired from Citroen Pieces in December of the same year. In January 2022, new window seals, sill plate seals, hood liner, thermostat, and the cover plate under the sill were ordered from Brad Nauss Automotive, a Citroen specialist in Mechanicsburg, PA. The same shop provided new pistons and liners, a water pump, a fuel pump, ignition points, a distributor cap, a condenser, a rotor, an inner drive shaft boot, a clutch release bearing, a clutch disc, brake pads, and camshaft seals. Dave Burnham’s work began in March 2022 with a rebuilt LHM pump, brake accumulator, steering rack, and aluminum pressure regulator. The suspension spheres and main accumulator were also recharged. The starter then received some new brushes, a new motor mount was installed, along with a rear suspension cylinder piston, a front suspension rod, a rebuilt Weber carburetor, and numerous other fixes and adjustments, thanks to Dave Burnham, and Brad Nauss Automotive.

Beek’s Auto in Gardiner, NY, repaired the heater control valve in February 2023. Later on, in July 2023, RBH Tech in Lebanon, NJ, replaced the rear brake wheel cylinders, repaired a split pressure regulator hose, fixed some window and door latch issues, installed rear seatbelts, converted the rear brake swivels to brake hoses, and replaced the sphere diaphragm. The Citroen returned to RBH Tech in October 2023 for a brake sphere rebuild, some brake fixes, a new HP pump, and a Petronix conversion. In May 2024, RBH Tech installed a new fuel pump and starter relay. In March 2025, the gear shift cable was readjusted, the hydraulic filter was cleaned, and an oil change was performed.

As it sits, this is a rare opportunity to purchase a solid, well-sorted American-market Citroen DS21 Safari. Any kind of Citroen is a rare sight on US roads, let alone a station wagon variant that is as sorted as this one is. This example would be welcomed with curiosity and praise at any show or Citroen event, and we hope the next owner does just that. Upon purchase, the new owner will receive the original spare and accessories, handwritten notes between the first and second owner, and all of the service records on file.

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