Description
The DS20 has the 1, 985 cc, 5 bearing crankshaft engine and the BVH (Boîte de Vitesses Hydraulique) semi-automatic gearbox.
I bought this car from Olivier at French Classics in May 2021. Before agreeing the purchase Olivier serviced the car and I had it checked out independently by Paul at Pallas Autos who reassured me that it was a good car.
I have always garaged the car and hardly ever drive it in the rain but I had Pallas Autos cavity wax the chassis and body panels including injecting the A, B and C pillar before I collected the car from French Classics.
The car has proved extremely reliable, never having failed to start or broken down.
In 2021 we completed the North Coast 500 in the Highlands in it and the following year went to France twice and last year we completed the Classic French Open Rally with the Citroen Car Club and travelled down to the south of France and back up via the Pyrenees. This year we completed the Open Rally (Normandy-Brittany Raid) without drama and also toured for a week from Le Touquet. All this is documented in my blog - - details above
I have had it serviced annually by Malcolm Leycroft at Leycroft Autocare in Worcester.
Work done while in my ownership:
Static front seat belts replaced with inertia reel belts
New Brake Sphere fitted by French Classics (June 2021)
Tappets, exhaust bracket, new spark plugs and plug thread inserts (August 2021)
Diagnose and repair slow LHM leak (October 2021)
Service + rear suspension gaiter (January 2022)
Service including compression check and, CV joints check, (February 2023)
Replaced rear sphere seals, clean cylinder faces, replaced suspension gaiters (March 2023)
Main accumulator sphere fitted by Leycroft Autocare (June 2023)
New reconditioned height corrector fitted by Leycroft Autocare (February 2024)
The car comes with
2 ignition keys
2 immobilizer key fobs
New inner tubes for front and rear tyres
It is in good condition inside and out and underneath and is in regular use. I am a member of the Citroen Car Club and am confident you could do either their Classic Challenge or Open Classic Rally with no further preparation at all.
The mileage showing is 60, 410 km but I am guessing that it has been around the clock once so it should be assumed to be 160, 410 km, which is 99, 600 miles. I bought this particular DS because it was rust-free and seemed to be a genuine, usable car, which is what it proved to be. It isn't particularly fast but cruises very happily at 110 km/ d (about 65 mph) and will do about 80 mph if you want it to. It is however extremely comfortable and encourages you to just cruise along at a leisurely pace. It always gets lots of attention, especially (and surprisingly) in France.