Citroën DS Le Dandy: The French Classic That Wore Elegance Like a Suit
Elegance Engineered - Sometimes, cars are more than just machines—they’re rolling expressions of art, style, and a particular moment in history. In the 1960s, one such masterpiece emerged from France, where elegance and engineering met in the hands of a visionary coachbuilder. This creation was the Citroën DS “Le Dandy,” a car that managed to embody both the avant-garde spirit of the DS and the refined flair of haute couture tailoring.
The Citroën DS 'Le Dandy' embodied the avant-garde spirit of the DS while showcasing Henri Chapron’s craftsmanship and the refined flair of haute couture. (Picture from: QuirkyRides in X)
The DS had already turned heads worldwide when it debuted, thanks to Citroën’s futuristic design, hydro-pneumatic suspension, and technology that felt decades ahead of its time. But success brought familiarity, and by the early ’60s, the DS was no longer an exotic rarity on French roads. Enter Henri Chapron, a man who had been crafting bespoke automotive bodies since the 1920s for marques like Talbot and Delage. While others hesitated in the face of the DS’s monocoque construction, Chapron embraced the challenge, seeing it as a fresh canvas for his artistry.
The Citroën DS 'Le Dandy' stood out for its quiet boldness, produced between 1960 and 1972 in about 50 examples as a hardtop counterpart to Chapron’s “Le Caddy” convertible. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
Among his many DS reinterpretations, the “Le Dandy”stood out for its quiet boldness, produced between 1960 and 1972 in only around 50 examples as a hardtop counterpart toChapron’s “Le Caddy” convertible. The Citroën DS 'Le Dandy'was built on both the DS19 and DS21 platforms—initially introduced in 1960 asa DS19 hardtop coupedesigned by Henri Chapron, and later updated in 1965 to the DS21 platform, featuring a larger 2.1L engine and revised rear wings while preserving its unique styling elements. Each Le Dandy carried subtle distinctions, ensuring no two were ever exactly alike.
The 1965 Citroën DS 'Le Dandy' variant, of which only two
were ever built, was particularly intriguing, painted in a soft green
with a slightly taller roofline than its stablemates.(Picture from: QuirkyRides in X)
The 1965 variant, of which only two were ever built, was particularly intriguing. Painted in a soft, elegant green, it featured a slightly taller roofline than its stablemates, intentionally designed to accommodate the tall silk hats favored by fashionable Parisian gentlemen of the era. Chapron also introduced some of the earliest tail fins on the extended rear deck, adding a touch of flair and confidence to its presence on the boulevard, making the Le Dandy a truly unforgettable expression of automotive artistry.
The Citroën DS 'Le Dandy' featured a meticulously hand-finished interior, combining luxurious upholstery with four practical seats, offering both elegance and comfort for its passengers. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
Beneath its sculpted lines, the Le Dandy retained the DS’s 2100cc engine and manual gearbox, delivering smooth yet engaging drives. Inside, four seats were arranged for practicality, though the rear bench offered little legroom—making long trips best enjoyed with just two passengers, perhaps on a coastal drive from Cannes to Monaco, luggage neatly stowed in the boot. Regardless of the route, the DS’s legendary suspension ensured the journey was as unruffled as the driver’s perfectly pressed attire.
The 1965 Citroën DS 'Le Dandy' retained the DS’s 2100cc engine and manual gearbox beneath its sculpted lines, delivering a drive that was both smooth and engaging. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
While some may debate whether Le Dandy was the most beautiful of Chapron’s DS creations, its charm lay in its individuality. It was for those unafraid to stand out, for drivers who understood that a car could be worn like a finely tailored suit. Oscar Wildeonce remarked that one should either be a work of art or wear a work of art; the Le Dandywas both, rolling down the street as if it had just stepped off a Paris runway. | _TS1RXNppLI |
Today, decades after its final example left Chapron’s workshop, the Citroën DS “Le Dandy” remains a rare sight—an automotive artifact from a time when style and engineering danced together in perfect rhythm. Owning one now isn’t just about having a classic car; it’s about possessing a piece of history that still whispers the language of elegance, confidence, and unmistakable French charm. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER | OTOBLITZ | QUIRKYRIDES IN X ]
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Citroën DS Le Dandy: The French Classic That Wore Elegance Like a Suit
The DS had already turned heads worldwide when it debuted, thanks to Citroën’s futuristic design, hydro-pneumatic suspension, and technology that felt decades ahead of its time. But success brought familiarity, and by the early ’60s, the DS was no longer an exotic rarity on French roads. Enter Henri Chapron, a man who had been crafting bespoke automotive bodies since the 1920s for marques like Talbot and Delage. While others hesitated in the face of the DS’s monocoque construction, Chapron embraced the challenge, seeing it as a fresh canvas for his artistry.
Today, decades after its final example left Chapron’s workshop, the Citroën DS “Le Dandy” remains a rare sight—an automotive artifact from a time when style and engineering danced together in perfect rhythm. Owning one now isn’t just about having a classic car; it’s about possessing a piece of history that still whispers the language of elegance, confidence, and unmistakable French charm. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER | OTOBLITZ | QUIRKYRIDES IN X ]
