Citroen DS19: Complete (#9 for 2018)

This one went together so easily it was complete before I had time to write it up.



The Ebbro kit of this iconic French sedan is an excellent kit and very highly recommended. All parts went together with little or no fiddling. There was essentially no flash or scarf, and instructions were clear. Lots of well-made dowels and sockets ensured everything lined up just right the first time out.



The removable roof is a nice bonus and means two-tone paint is easy. I went for the navy blue roof over yellow as in the show car of 1955, although most production cars had a white roof. 




The car is remarkably advanced for 1955, with inboard disc brakes at the front, and a hydraulic system operating brakes, steering, suspension ride height as well as clutch transmission linkages. The four cylinder, restricted to about 75 horsepower due to French taxation rules, was placed front to back, with the transmission in front and the timing chain cover up against the firewall.



A mid-engine setup? The auxiliary drives were all off the rear of the engine above the differential and transmission.



The long engine bay has room for the spare tire ahead of the radiator.



With all the mechanical bits up front, and a simple twist axle for the rear, the interior has a completely flat floor. This is similar to the H van I built some time ago, also from Ebbro.



This picture shows how far back the engine is located.



A classic shape.



I recall seeing one around here regularly a number of years ago, a white one with zebra-skin covers over the upholstery. It was driven by a woman bearing more than a passing resemblance to Brigitte Bardot, and generally left a whiff of Gauloises behind it as it wafted by.



Turn signals in the corners of the roof are now a Thing, and are a Feature on my V60. I am very pleased with how this turned out, largely due to the kit being excellent. That being said, there are a couple of minor quibbles: First, the driveshafts, tie rod and front tires go on all at once at the end and this requires a major bit of fussing. Second, the rear view mirror is in the kit but not mentioned in the instructions ... be sure to put it on before mating interior floor pan to the body. Finally the hood doesn't quite close over the spare tire, perhaps because of a minor misalignment error on my part.



"Non, madame, ce n'est pas la boucherie Sanzot! Mile millions de mille sabords, le professeur Tournesol vient d'être kidnappé!"



There are a couple 2CVs and a 15 Légère on the shelf, along with a Renault 4L. Vive la différence!