French Elegance Reborn: The 1967 Citroen DS21 Henri Chapron Serie 2 Cabriolet Conversion by Karl’s Autowerkstatt

When it comes to mid-century automotive design, few vehicles command the room quite like the legendary Citroën DS. Affectionately known as the “Goddess,” its aerodynamic, retro-futuristic lines completely revolutionized the motoring world.

But while the standard sedan is a certified classic, the ultra-rare drop-top variants built by Parisian coachbuilder Henri Chapron represent the absolute pinnacle of vintage French motoring.

If you have been hunting for the ultimate open-air grand tourer, an extraordinary opportunity has just surfaced on Bring a Trailer.

Currently commanding a formidable bid of $125,000, this breathtaking 1967 Citroen DS21 Henri Chapron Serie 2 Cabriolet Conversion by Karl’s Autowerkstatt is a flawless execution of heritage coachbuilding and meticulous modern restoration.

A Licensed Masterpiece Reborn

Henri Chapron first began transforming the DS into a cabriolet in 1958, eventually striking an official deal to produce these stunning two-door convertibles for Citroën from 1960 to 1971.

Honoring that legendary legacy, this specific 1967 DS21 chassis underwent an exhaustive Henri Chapron Série 2 cabriolet conversion commissioned by the seller in 2023.

The meticulous work was carried out by Karl’s Autowerkstatt in Brensbach, Germany—a master workshop officially named the licensed manufacturer of continuation cars on behalf of Chapron International in 2020.

This was no simple roof chop. The exhaustive conversion process involved heavily reinforcing the frame, replacing any rust-damaged metal, physically lengthening the doors, and seamlessly grafting on a beautifully revised rear body section.

Finished in a mirror-like black paint with a matching canvas soft top, it features exquisite gold badging and the DS’s legendary enclosed, directional headlights that turn with the steering wheel.

Magic Carpet Ride Meets Fuchsia Luxury

You cannot talk about a classic Citroën without bowing down to its legendary hydropneumatic suspension. This DS21 rides on that famous self-leveling, height-adjustable system, delivering an unparalleled, cloud-like ride over uneven tarmac.

Coupled with power-assisted brakes and power steering, navigating this 15-inch wheel-equipped land yacht is an absolute breeze.

While the stealthy black exterior is undeniably elegant, swinging open the elongated doors reveals an absolute showstopper of an interior. The re-trimmed cabin is entirely draped in a striking dark fuchsia leather (Moderno A-327) sourced from Leder-Hillman in Germany.

This sumptuous upholstery beautifully covers the individual front seats, rear bench, lower dash, door panels, and even the removable center armrest.

Karl’s Autowerkstatt went the extra mile by applying extensive sound-deadening material throughout the floors, firewall, and doors to ensure the cabin remains whisper-quiet. A set of retrofitted Jaeger instrumentation rounds out the vintage, bespoke aesthetic.

Rebuilt For The Grand Tour

Underneath the hood, this cabriolet is more than ready for cross-country adventures. Power is supplied by a robust 2.2-liter inline-four engine, beautifully tuned with a single Weber downdraft carburetor.

To ensure flawless modern reliability, Karl’s Autowerkstatt completely rebuilt the engine—including balancing the crankshaft—while simultaneously overhauling the clutch assembly and the column-shifted five-speed manual transaxle.

Proving that this isn’t just a fragile museum piece, following the completion of the build in December 2023, the car was joyously driven around southern Europe for several months, soaking up the coastal sun before being imported to the US and titled in California.

Showing just 7,300 kilometers (~4,500 miles) on the reset odometer, this stunning machine is fully documented, carrying a unique production number listed in the Chapron Registry and accompanied by an official Henri Chapron Carrossier certificate.

If you want to cruise the coastline in one of the most elegant, head-turning convertibles ever conceived, this bespoke French-German masterpiece is waiting.

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