The Citroën DS is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive executive car that was manufactured and marketed by the French company Citroën from 1955 to 1975 in sedan, wagon/estate and convertible body configurations. Italian sculptor and industrial designer Flaminio Bertoni and the French aeronautical engineer André Lefèbvre styled and engineered the car. Paul Magèsdeveloped the hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension.

Noted for its aerodynamic, futuristic body design and innovative technology, the DS set new standards in ride quality, handling, and braking (and was the first mass production car equipped with disc brakes).

Citroën sold 1,455,746 examples, including 1,330,755 built at the manufacturer's Paris Quai André-Citroën production plant.

The DS placed third in the 1999 Car of the Century poll recognizing the world's most influential auto designs and was named the most beautiful car of all time by Classic & Sports Car magazine.

Heller is one of the few mainstream kit makers to put any effort into producing 1/43 car kits. Apparently there is a niche market for these as, though few new kits have been done, the initial flurry of releases seems to be reissued with some regularity. I am a fan of the scale so whenever I run into one that isn't stupidly priced, I pick it up. Such was the case with this one.

The DS19 simply screams FRENCH, and no respectable car collection should be without one. The Heller kit is basic almost to the extreme. The sprues are loose in a 'lunch box' style box and consist one white and one clear sprue with the body separate. The one piece body is nicely molded and while there is a tad bit of flash on some parts, the rest is remarkably clean. There is a floor pan onto which you attach the rear suspension pieces and two piece plastic wheels while the other side gets everything else.

The interior is a firewall/dash onto which one attaches the single spoke steering wheel. There are dual front seats and a single rear bench seat. That does it for the interior. The front and rear bumpers are separate and you'll need to paint these silver/chrome along with the headlight bezels and tail light housing. Clear bits are the one piece windscreen/windows and the separate headlight lenses.

Instructions are a large folded sheet with equally large construction steps. You will be spending most of your 'build' time painting this one. Humbrol paint numbers are provided and basically the car is beige on the outside with the interior in brown and most everything else in satin black. Of course, the car came in other exterior shades so pick what you like. A decal sheet with plates and lights is included.  

Those who like modeling in this scale or simply want a kit that will build quickly will find this an attractive option. The end will be a nice model of this iconic French car of the 50s and 60s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citro%C3%ABn_DS

February 2019

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