This first-series DS 19 (chassis number 38788), in its original color combination (Champagne AC 134 and Aubergine AC 406), left the Citroën factory at Quai de Javel in April 1958. Registered under the number 1-BS-32, the car was delivered to its first owner, Henri Marseillan, a doctor in Masseube, Gers, in May of that year. Henri primarily used the car to tow his boat, accumulating 72,000 kilometers (45,000 miles) before it was taken out of service in the late 1960s due to mechanical issues.
After completing the restoration, David embarked on a round trip, driving the car from Cornwall in the UK to Toulouse to meet the former owner. The journey included stops in Limoges on the way to Southwest France, a visit to the Auvergne region, a trip to the Citroën Conservatoire in Paris, a stop at Utrecht (for Citromobile) in the Netherlands, and a return to the UK—covering a total of 3,600 kilometers. The car was also exhibited at Citromobile in Haarlem and participated in the Citroën Car Club of Ireland rally in Western Ireland. In 2019, it was selected by the UK Citroën Car Club to represent the brand during Citroën's centenary celebrations at the prestigious classic car show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham.
Around 2001, the car was sold to the president of the Midi-Pyrénées Citroën Club of France. Later, in 2005, it was imported to the UK by engineer and DS collector David Spreadborough, who undertook a meticulous three-year restoration. David sourced rare first-series NOS parts from Citroën enthusiasts worldwide, concentrating on the mechanical recommissioning and meticulously preserving the car’s authenticity to ensure every detail remained true to its original design. Comprehensive documentation—including detailed notes, invoices, and a heritage certificate from the Citroën Conservatoire—attests to the car’s matching numbers and restoration history.
For the past 16 years, the car has been registered in the UK and has been part of a renowned DS collection. It has been exceptionally well-maintained, undergoing regular technical inspections and being serviced and cared for by DS specialists in both the UK and France.
