Another Reason Why I Am Not a Francophile

According to a survey in Classic & Sports Car magazine, the Citroen DS was voted "the most beautiful car" of all time.

There is no way that the Citroen DS is the most beautiful car of all time!  The ugliest, maybe . . .  What about the Jaguar XKE, or the Mercedes-Benz SL300 Gull-Wing?  These autos are works of art.

And besides, the Citroen is French. The voters in this poll must have been as well.

Here's the link to the poll. Click here: Citroen DS Named Most Beautiful Car Ever - Automotive News Story - WBAL Baltimore

Comments

[Lloyd]

The Citroen D.S. looks like a type of car that Al Gore would drive, as he seeks protection from the farce that is "global warming."

Personally, I think that the Corvette is the nicest looking car. But, because of comfort, I would love the biggest Cadillac. The older I get, the more comfort I am looking for.

Now, I'll just have to settle for my very nice Kia Rondo.

["lee n. field"]

What-ever. Studebaker Grand Tourismo Hawk.

Look, ye Philistines, and despair: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studebaker_Gran_Turismo_Hawk

[EricF]

Dear Pastor Riddlebarger, you might not be aware of this, but you have at least one avid french reader (who also listens to your mp3s and to the WHI), and that's myself.
So while I agree with your assesment about the lack of beauty of the DS, allow me to take deep offence at your francophobia...(I am kidding, but I am unashamedly proud that John Calvin was french)...

And no, the DS is not at all a "green car". It was ( I think) built at a time when my country was also flying the Concorde and had not yet been seized by that sort of obsession, save perhaps for the hippies.

[Cheryl]

I'll take a Rolls Royce, thank you.

[Nick Coleman]

Although I would have to disagree with an assessment that the Citroen DS was and remains the prettiest car of all time (a good point being made of the post war Mercedes and Jaguars), It most definitely has a specific elegance to it. Ugly by no means, it retains a certain flair that only can only be truly appreciated by placing it in its appropriate context. In that, I believe it is unparalleled.

That could just be the architect in me speaking (We have a knack for loving designs others hate, whilst still sometimes pulling off designs many love... strange.)

[RubeRad]

Apparently, included not just some Frogs, but also were all European! C'mon -- the only beautiful American car they could think of was the Cord? How about the (by-definition) "Doozie" of all cars, the Duesenberg? How about Corvette, Thunderbird (both 50's), Mustang (60's fastback), shelby cobra, or even the humble but iconic Bel-Air?

I gotta give 'em the E-type though, although they slighted James Bond's Austin-Martin DB5 (not to mention the modern DB7)

[Chris Sherman]

Designed by Italian sculptor Flaminio Bertoni

[Bruce S]

It's silly to argue about something as subjective as the beauty of a car. However, I'd take a DS in a heartbeat.

[Charles S]

1961 Dodge Dart Phoenix (what was Chrysler thinking when they intoduced this thing.), probably would be a close second to the citroen if voted on by the French.

[DSY]

Dr John Warwick Montgomery has a Citroen, I saw it last Summer in France. Evidently it can operate with one wheel missing.
DSY

[Philip Walker]

Ah yes, a classic from that by-gone age when cars needed to be more aerodynamic going backwards than forwards.

[Paul B]

The beauties of the DS are not fully realized until you at least ride in one. The hydropneumatic suspension is still ahead of its time. What current car can go full tilt over a speed bump and the occupants don't feel a thing?

As for beautiful design, I'll take a Lamborghini Muira and a Cisitalia 202.