VALUES

The DS generally carries a premium over the ID. Expect to pay around £1500 for projects but start at £6-£7000 for a sound, usable ID19. Prices vary with condition, up to £12-£16,000 for a really nice late-model DS23 although we’ve seen restored cars for sale at over £30,000 and estates at the £20,000 mark. The convertible is another question entirely with examples going at recent auctions for over £100,000.

ENGINE & GEARBOX

• High mileage engines can be noisy but that’s not necessarily a cause for concern.
• It may be agricultural in many ways but the Citroën engine is bulletproof and specialist Pallas Auto recounts the story of an engine which ran for two years with a cracked piston. If it will turn over and fire, even a completely worn engine will still get you home..
• Gearboxes are renowned for being loud, especially the fifth gear.

 TRIM & ELECTRICS

• DS’s mostly had leather and original trim will have a nice patina now. Even if it’s really worn, leather ‘feed’ and colour treatments can often work wonders.
• Retrims vary so check them for quality.
• It’s hard to find the original fabric for the cloth interiors and most will have been retrimmed by now.
• Glass is all available.

To read the complete Buyer's Checklist feature buy the November 2011 issue of Classic Car Mart.