1970 Citroën DS 21 Pallas Start Up, Test Drive, and In Depth Review 

looks like something Willy Wonka would drive

The front breaks were mounted directly at the end of the gearbox to make the wheels as light as possible. Since the wheels are non-suspended-weight, keeping them light reduces their inertia and improves the comfort. The same thing was done for the front breaks of the Citroën 2cv.

this car was at least 50 years a head of its time

Actually, one of the factory models did come in violet way back in 1956. I love the hypnotic wheels. The owner is a well informed aesthete and deserves to have this super car.

This has to be one of the coolest & most retro/unique cars I've ever seen! So cool!

WHAT ARE THOOOOOSSSEEEE! (the wheels) lol

If Willy Wonka were real and had a car, this would be it. I love it.

Going to be honest. Been watching saabkyle04 for 5 years now. I like the original style you usually use in your videos and with the time stamps

I just bought one of these and it was very interesting to learn a whole bunch of new stuff I had no idea about, thank you!

Back in May I was in Paris for the 60th anniversary of the DS, we drove almost 1000 km in a beautiful 1968 DS 20 Pallas that weekend! (Btw, there was also a 5-speed manual gearbox available)

I love the DS. It was way ahead of its time and I like the looks of the car, looks futuristic. Great video as always Saabkyle04!

This is that amazing collector's car you drive to communicate with other real car enthusiasts you know cars!

Kyle -- I love the long in depth work you do. Best reviewer of autos in the business. Now about this particular car. I originally saw the Citroen in 1962 at the Seattle World's Fair and bought my one and only in 1969 in Toronto from Raymond Reix at his shop on Eddystone just off the 400 highway at Finch. This is what one would call the "beautiful car". The most innovative ahead of its time vehicle ever. Just a few things in addition to the owners and your remarks. Mine was the DS 19 Pallas (we always pronounced it Pah Lass) and was 90 HP but keep in mind that was braking HP which is not the way North American manufacturers indicate HP. Also, mine was a semi-automatic much like the Honda 50 Motorcycle of the similar era. You would shift gears but there was no need to use a clutch -- hence semi-automatic. A couple of other things. With regard to the brake being a button, it was located below the accelerator so when needing to brake, the driver did not have to raise the foot from the pedal and then press the brake but rather simply drop the foot from the accelerator to the brake which is a much faster action than what is required on other vehicles and thus braking distance was greatly reduced. When you opened the hood, you notice that the spare tire was located in front of the engine. The reason for this was location plus more importantly it acted as a buffer between the driver/passenger and any collision that might occur. Not only that but the construction of the engine support was such that under a certain level of impact the support would "break" and allow the engine to drop to the ground so it would not be pushed through the firewall into the driver/passenger. Now getting to the headlights. Not only did the headlights rotate with the turning of the wheel but also a special high beam halogen lamp was available which would light the road almost to daylight viewing. The regular headlights also were self leveling so that when driving up a grade, instead of the lights lighting up the sky, the lights maintained being parallel to the road thus lighting the road. Also, mentioned was the lateral shift of the vehicle when doing major turns and I have amazed other drivers when they saw the vehicle do this. You mentioned that the vehicle could be driven on 3 wheels which it could as long as you had two on the front as it was a front wheel driven vehicle. One time Raymond had to do this coming from downtown Toronto up to his shop and was stopped by an OPP officer who tested the vehicle for braking etc and allowed Raymond to go on his way. Mine did not have the ribbing on the seats as was on the users vehicle but sitting in the Pallas was like sitting in my overstuffed chair in my living room. Nice that youtube put this video at the top of my list as Citroen has always been my favorite vehicle but when I separated, my wife decided she would like to have it. I had a good friend that had the DS 19 that was often used in movies that were shot in this area and I recently learned of a Citroen users group that meets in the Toronto area and while I have not had a Citroen since 1973 I may try to visit with them in the future. Thanks again for all the great reviews as they helped me in my purchase a couple years ago of my Lincoln MKX which we love also. However, if the Pallas was still a current vehicle available in NA there would be no other car I would own.

Thanks for sharing +Saabkyle04 !! What a unique car that was ahead of it's time.

When I was in elementary school one day I went to the library and there was a book about cars and, on the cover, one of the pictures was a Citroën DS. At first I was like what the fuck is that thing!? But then while reading about it I realized that it was an iconic car and a beautiful piece of engineering. :)

Saabkyle : thanks for your vids. you're almost the only one who shows the cars instead of theirselves talking while driving... i can give you a users advise about this Citroen and some informations (you maybe talked about, i'm far from a perfect english speaker). The ID/DS serie was a first class car in France for years. The General De Gaulle used it as presidential car. He escaped an attack in this car. My own grand father owned two of the serie (an ID and a DS). They where high performance cars at this time on the french roads (the roads have changed and it counts). My father inheritated the last one in 1974 and used it during only a year. I was a kid. i can tell you all kids enjoy the backseat sight on the warning lights. But this car as a major problem : its hydraulic suspension is technically performant, but makes young passengers always sick aboard during long trips. And when you have a problem on hydraulics, you are in a serious mess ! My father dream was the Maserati coupé version of the DS : the Citroen SM. I wish you to find one in the US (there is an owner's club) and make us a video. If you liked the DS, you will adore the SM...

I know I can always count on Kyle for the most unique cars out there!

I'm French and I thank you for this review, so rare to see a French Car in your country!

I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen a Citroen on the road but I always thought they were cool looking. Thanks for this review. The car is even cooler than I thought.

This video reminded me of the dream I had recently. In it I purchased one of these vehicles but it had interior that was in very bad shape torn seats hanging headliner etc.. and I was planing on restoring it. I loved seeing it as a child l. Have yet to see one of these since I moved to the US.

What a great car!....Thanks for putting this vid up!

Wow! again! great video. it sold me on this car. I've never seen one for sale or one at a car show but this video made me want one!

What a lovely car. I'm in love with it, just as it is, especially the wheels.

Great video! I have been saving up to get a DS 23 so any info I can find is really helpful and appreciated.

Awesome video, Kyle! I've always thought these were interesting cars. Nice to have a complete look at one.

Wow, such an incredible car! I'm amazed at how modern the car is in terms of features, build and interior design!

I was lucky enough to go for a drive in a DS 23 Safari. What an inspiring machine. It's by far and away my ultimate dream car.

Wow! What a nice car. Leave it to the French to be stylish. I enjoyed the ride, thanks for taking me along.

I've seen these in old movies but until now, I had no idea how innovative they were. Who knew the French were at the cutting edge of automotive design? But of course, they were also at the cutting edge of airplane design in it's incunabulary days so apparently, France had a more vibrant industry than I was aware of. I'm very impressed. This particular car is beautifully preserved. Thanks to its owner for sharing and to you for an excellent video with lots of close-ups of the various design and engineering elements as well as the rich commentary.

Such a unique and interesting car. Great review Kyle!

What an amazing car, I can't believe how Citroen was so ahead of its time, what a nice man aswell

Finally a french car on your channel!

Saw this car being used in the Mentalist and had to look it up, really good in depth video and I'm glad they really went on to talk about the suspension, because that was one of the really curious things I had noticed about this car. Can't say I'm a fan of the matte finish, but hey, it's his car and he can do what he wants with it 😄

I love hydraulic suspensions! They are a special treat that comes with many citroens :) My dad has a 2004 C5 wagon that also has a hydraulic suspension. It is very useful in the winter when driving over snow bumps outside the driveway.

The renovation and repaint work (also the wheels artwork) are gorgeous. This purple color ! Cheers from France

Merci d'avoir rendu la vidéo! :)

What a Fantastic sedan Kyle. Your auto review videos are epic. Each one is just that little bit better than the previous one. I look for and see an improvement in absolutely every single video. Imho you may start making the videos just a bit LONGER. Why you ask?. Well, when I see that a new video has been loaded onto my playlist I quickly scan for the video length. This immediately tells me just how serious you are about said vehicle, and how much enthusiasm I can expect from your video. Longer video = serious Short video = gloss over, nothing much. Of course, that is simply my opinion. Take it for what it's worth. But let me say this clearly, your videos are EPIC. Please keep making them. 👍

very good video ***** thanks a lot ,this Ds is so different ,there's no one like this here in France!

Would've much rather seen a stock car instead.

Supper was ready but I just had to watch this till the end! ;D Thanks!

i love when you review old cars :), idc about newer ones

Those rear turn signals, awesome!!

My folks had a few of these over the years when we were young. I remember them being so smooth and comfortable. If they were maintained properly they were very reliable. I'd have one myself if I could find one and find a mechanic that could take good care of it.

definitely one of the best looking car ever, i always love the Citroen DS and i really wish one day Citroen could make a proper successor to this amazing car

Great review, Great car! Well done Kyle.

Such a wonderful review, reminds me why I subscribed to this channel!

Awesome never would of thought this car would have so many neat features

Great video man!!!

I love the rims on it, fits the car and the aesthetic nice

Its so retro, I love it!!

ausome vid as always kyle

That is one sweet machine... wow, im truly impressed. Louis De Funes drove one in a movie, I remember. My favorite actor!

Absolutely magnificent and SO FAR ahead of its time

Love your Videos Kyle! Keep it up Bro :)

Kyle... you got an interesting car. I am glad you found this one and were able to share this car. Another impressive video. Thank you for sharing.

Nice to see an American appreciating one of these beauties.

Love it! This is an awesome car! Thanks Kyle!

Damn Kyle you're on a roll lately!

Loved this video, especially for an older car like this where it is difficult to find any RU-vid videos at all, unlike a newly released model. In regards to a previous users comment about video length I both agree and disagree. For example i know some people may enjoy the performance data, facts and figures etc but personally I find these can be obtained from Wiki articles and alike quite easily, what we can't get is the in depth "experience" of the vehicle that you uniquely offer in your videos. For example sitting in the car, the controls, the little details about the interior...the kind of things that many reviewers brush over as unimportant. It's all subjective of course, but nice video.

+SaabKyle04 that's something special Kyle.

I like this car. Good on the owner for being different! Good job

Wow that is by far one of the most awesome cars I have ever seen (y) :D

Thanks for the info! truly a dream car

just fell in love with this car.

I love love LOVE this car! This is the only classic car I'd consider owning besides a beetle! I fell in love with this car when I saw it in the rugrats movie. These look beautiful in blue.

Damn!! I wish I would have known you were here! I live literally up the street from this shop! 😤

That's like 15 minutes away from where I live! I've seen that car as well. Hope you enjoyed Seattle!

I think the modifications were done quite tastefully. It's exotic but fits the theme of the car. It falls in line from what we expect from the time it was made.

You're going to mindfuck or hypnotize people on the damn freeway with those wheels

Great video, first Lynnwood, now Bellevue, please Kyle! Don't forget!

Those wheels are certainly hypnotizing.

is it weird i live i live in the same state where you reviewed this, andI legit freaked out when you said Seattle? Yep. Talking to myself again.

Very cool old Citroen!!! This is also one of my favorite quirky European cars... that you just simply don't see here in the states. I wish I could see on in person, I think it would be totally worth it.

I remember when these were sold here in the u.s., they didn’t have the headlight covers and the rear tail lights were different I think. Interesting car I remember.

Great colour & futuristic. Thumbs up.

i've a DS 23 pallas in restauration, but this one is really crazy :P the paint reminds me of the monster garage's cadillac deville coupe in beige and purple, good looking car

Finally! A real car!

Master piece. Greatness.

I love the front of the car so much and the interior is awesome.

i will really like to see the review of the VOLVO P1800 ....

COOL!!! wish I had one of these

Up until now, I never cared for the Citroen, but with all those cutting edge features, especially for that time period, I am definitely a fan of this car! Also, the profile reminds me of the Audi A7.

Purple wrap and those Halloween fun house wheels on a car like this is just sacrilege

I miss these types of videos of you reviewing old cars you used to do that a lot when you first started making these videos then you started to do a lot more new car reviews. I wish you would go back to doing these types of reviews more often.

I love the sound

You should do more older cars. I love your normal reviews, I think length wise there are OK. But showing these older cars and their owners, hearing their stories why they got that car, how they got it - I´d really love that. Maybe one a month or so as some kind of a special.

Jokermobile! Great video Kyle

So nice!

Those wheels are pretty crazy, I like them

Those wheels are wicked!

Art in motion

I love your videos

A small note about the rear seating; this was the French presidential car in the late fifties and sixties. President Charles De Gaulle (president from 59 to 69) measured 6.3! Without his hat of course. lol

I really liked your video here Kyle. I am a very huge fan of the DS' family. Citroen was so misunderstood. My family, and friends were idiots about cars because they just don't appreciate this car, and what Citroen did. This very model family saved Charles DeGaulle's life in an assassination attempt. They shot out a rear tire, and as you know, the DS can run on 3 tires. What car can do that? Yeah, thought so. So in the end, this IS the car of the 20th century. To me the SR-71 of the road. Yeah I said that to my brother, he cussed me out. Like I said an idiot. It isn't just muscle, it is design, execution of the fine details, the aesthetics. The DS has me won over. I so want to ride in one before I die, because heaven can only be more smoother. Thank you for your awesome video. By the way, I have loved cars since I was 5. I am in my 50s now just to give my background.

I love what the owner did with the appearance. It accentuates the car's quirkiness. In your ear haters!

A french car !!!! Thanks Sabbkyle04 !!! Can you find other french cars please ? So differente !

Love your videos but small suggestion, try to keep it a bit shorter. For example, no need to say color of seats is black, we can see that... With cutting a lot of unnecessary things you can make video 5-10 min shorter easily. For example I rarely have time to sit 30 mins at once to watch video even if I want to. Anyways, good job with time stamps (even tho they aren't on this vid), that helps a lot for us with no time that want to skip certain parts of video fast.

such a cool car a epic color. His moustache is amazing haha

ha-ha you visited my town and NW AUTO SALON I love driving by that place every day so many exotics

Thanks for the review. I have always been curious about these Citroens. This review confirmed the bad that I have heard about the durability (or lack of) of the hydraulic suspension (so now i know i dont want one), and unfortunately I don't perceive the owner driver relaxing while he was driving it, even though he says he prefers driving it compared to modern cars. It also seems kind of loud inside for a "luxury" version.