[The Presidential Citroëns] The Presidential Citroën DS: an icon of French history with De Gaulle

The love story between Citroën and the French Presidency is a romance that defies time, woven from historic moments, audacious innovations, and emblematic figures. At the heart of this saga, the Citroën DS holds a prime position, inseparable from the image of General de Gaulle and a certain vision of French prestige. More than just a means of transport, the presidential DS became a rolling symbol of the nation, a privileged witness to the upheavals and grandeurs of French history. It is a narrative where mechanics meet destiny, where French ingenuity was placed at the service of the highest office of the state, leaving an indelible mark on the collective memory.

The DS and the Petit Clamart attack: a presidential survivor with an extraordinary fate

August 22, 1962, remains a date etched in French history, not only for the assassination attempt on General de Gaulle but also for the heroic role played by his Citroën DS 19. On that day, as the presidential convoy passed through Le Petit-Clamart, near Paris, it was targeted by an OAS (Secret Army Organisation) commando. Nearly one hundred and fifty bullets were fired, riddling the black saloon's bodywork and puncturing two of its tires. In such a critical situation, where most vehicles would have been immobilized or become uncontrollable, the DS 19 demonstrated its exceptional technical capabilities.

This is where Citroën's legendary hydropneumatic suspension came into play. Designed to offer unparalleled comfort, it allowed the car, despite its damaged tires, to maintain a relatively stable poise and, crucially, to remain maneuverable. The General's driver, with remarkable composure, was able to maintain control of the vehicle and extract it from this deadly ambush, driving on only three functional wheels for a considerable distance. General de Gaulle and his wife, Yvonne, emerged unharmed. This event propelled the DS to mythical status. It was no longer just an avant-garde car in its design and technology; it had become the car that saved the President's life, a symbol of resilience, safety, and French genius. This unintentional, yet profoundly eloquent, publicity solidified the DS's image as an exceptional car, reliable even in the most extreme conditions.

The Presidential Chapron DS: a custom-made icon for the republic and the "1 PR 75" inauguration

The Petit Clamart attack naturally led to a reassessment of the Head of State's security. While the idea of an armored vehicle was considered, General de Gaulle, keen to maintain a direct connection with the French people, preferred cars that did not create an excessive barrier. It was in this context that a special order was placed, not for a rolling fortress, but for a ceremonial car that would embody the prestige of France. The mission was entrusted to Citroën and the renowned coachbuilder Henri Chapron.

The specifications were ambitious: a state car was needed that would surpass the American presidential limousine in length and grandeur. The project, initiated in 1962 but whose realization spanned several years, culminated in the delivery in late 1968 of an absolutely unique Citroën DS 21 Présidentielle Chapron. Measuring 6.53 meters (21.4 feet) in length, it was based on a DS 21 chassis but had been profoundly modified. Its exterior design, carefully overseen, exuded statutory elegance, with specific details like a gold-plated Citroën logo. Mrs. Yvonne de Gaulle herself was involved in designing the passenger compartment, choosing a two-tone grey paint finish and ensuring the interior was both luxurious and functional. It featured a chauffeur partition, jump seats for interpreters or bodyguards, sumptuous leather upholstery, precious woodwork, a bar, a refrigerator, and even a fold-out desk. Technically, it retained the DS 21 engine but with a cooling system adapted for its mission and a top speed approaching 130 km/h (80 mph).

It was this exceptional car that, as per the expressed intention, ushered in the era of specific registrations for the Presidency of the Republic with the famous "1 PR 75" license plate (PR for Présidence de la République, 75 for the Seine department, Paris). However, General de Gaulle used it very sparingly – chronicles report only three official outings. The fixed partition between the driver and the rear passengers, designed for privacy, ultimately did not fully align with his preferences. His successor, Georges Pompidou, also made little use of it, and this presidential DS, a true automotive work of art, was later acquired by a passionate collector, thus preserving a unique testament to French automotive and presidential history.

The history linking Citroën to the French Presidency is therefore much more than a simple supply of official vehicles. It is marked by extraordinary anecdotes, technical challenges brilliantly overcome, and cars that have defined their era, foremost among them General de Gaulle's Citroën DS. It embodies a period when French innovation shone brightly and when a car could become an extension of the presidential image, a tool serving the office, and a potent symbol for the nation.

The DS, through its presidential destiny, transcended its automotive status to become a cultural icon, a witness to French resilience and prestige. This legacy is not a closed chapter. Even today, the spirit of innovation and the privileged link with the highest office of the state endure. The presence of modern DS models within the Élysée Palace's vehicle fleet, such as the DS 7 Crossback Élysée proudly bearing a registration that evokes a lineage – one might nickname it "No. 8" as a nod to continuity – demonstrates that this special relationship continues into the present. Citroën, and by extension DS Automobiles, continues to write pages in this unique story, optimistically carrying forward the values of audacity and excellence cherished by the brand and the Republic.