The Citroën DS is celebrated worldwide as a symbol of French avant-garde design and savoir-faire. Yet its story also carries a touch of Italian artistry thanks to Flaminio Bertoni and Walter Becchia, who shaped its design and engine, respectively. What's more, when the revolutionary DS 19 was unveiled in 1955, an icon of Italian elegance was chosen to present it to the world: Gina Lollobrigida. Her image, paired with the DS, graced the cover of Paris Match, captivating the French public. It was the culmination of years of utmost secrecy. Citroën went so far as to avoid filing patents, determined to keep its pioneering ideas safe from competitors. The result was such an advanced car instantly nicknamed “La Déesse” — the Goddess of Cars. An overnight success: on the first day of the Motor Show 12,000 cars were sold totalling 80,000 units in the end. Its appeal never waned, reaching a record 1.5 million units sold during its long life, which ended in 1975. It was an extraordinary commercial success, confirmed
by the appreciation shown by the international jet set, including film stars Brigitte Bardot, Marcello Mastroianni, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. In the comic strip Diabolik, driven by Inspector Ginko, it was the antagonist of the Jaguar E-Type. Finally, the French President Charles De Gaulle made it a symbol of national greatness.
11. Lollo testimonial
