Ebbro Citroen DS21

[jaymcminn]

This is Ebbro's 1/24 scale Citroen DS21. When the DS19 was introduced in 1955, it was like nothing else in the world. Its complicated hydropneumatic system provided an incredible ride, a clutchless manual transmission, effortless braking and light power steering. Its styling, both inside and out, was radical. The DS was originally slated for an air-cooled flat-six engine, but development issues caused it to be produced with a development of the 4-cylinder unit in use by Citroen since the mid-30's. 

The DS 21 was introduced in the late 60's, and introduced a sleek front end treatment with covered headlamps as well as more power and an updated interior. Ebbro's kit represents (sort of) an early 70's model. The DS was built until 1975.

Much like the 1:1 DS21, the Ebbro kit is an update of their DS19 kit with an updated engine, interior (sort of) and body. It's a fairly intimidating kit when you open the box... parts are as scale-thin as possible, the front doors open and the chrome tree features nearly all of the chrome trim molded as thin separate parts. The remaining chrome trim, as well as the gold badges, are foil "wet transfers" that are applied like waterslide decals but feature a grippy adhesive that gives you seconds of working time before they become basically part of the model.

There's very little on this model that didn't come in the box. I added some scratchbuilt details to the door cards to better represent a DS21, aluminum sill plates on the interior, and custom-mixed embossing powder for the dark green carpet. I also added styrene pieces for the seat adjustment mechanisms. Under the hood I added scratchbuilt hold-down straps for the spare tire and a partially-scratchbuilt distributor with Albion Alloys tubing and Tamiya Epoxy Putty. 

Paint is Tamiya TS60 Pearl Green over grey primer. This looks pretty close to Citroen's Vert Argent color. I used Tamiya Red Oxide primer with Vallejo washes and a satin clear coat for the cognac upholstery. 

This was an incredibly enjoyable build overall. It's not an easy kit, but it went together beautifully (check my build thread in WIP for in-progress pics and tips) and really builds into a nice replica. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to build something a little different. On to the pics!

[Six]

Wow!!!! That's freekin AWESOME!!!! 

Looks so real !!!!!

[Calb56]

Very cool. Love old Citroëns... so funky.

[radiohd10]

that's one beautiful model!  very impressed with all of your work - your mercedes actually inspired me to step away from the muscle cars for a minute and try out an old 30's classic...i couldn't find the mercedes for a reasonable price, but i did have an ancient packard kit in the stash which i just finished up last night.   awesome job!

[Classicgas]

Stunning!

[Matt Bacon]

That’s absolutely lovely, Jason.. A stunning build of a beautiful car, fabulously photographed. It could be the real thing in most of the pictures, save for having the cleanest engine bay any DS has ever had in the world… Fantastic job… congratulations.

best,

M.

[jaymcminn]

4 hours ago, radiohd10 said:

that's one beautiful model!  very impressed with all of your work - your mercedes actually inspired me to step away from the muscle cars for a minute and try out an old 30's classic...i couldn't find the mercedes for a reasonable price, but i did have an ancient packard kit in the stash which i just finished up last night.   awesome job!

Thanks Ryan! I've honestly been thinking about stepping away from weird French cars and prewar European stuff to build something American for a change. Post up that Packard, is it the Monogram 1930 Roadster?

3 hours ago, Matt Bacon said:

That’s absolutely lovely, Jason.. A stunning build of a beautiful car, fabulously photographed. It could be the real thing in most of the pictures, save for having the cleanest engine bay any DS has ever had in the world… Fantastic job… congratulations.

best,

M.

Thanks Matt, the pics against the white background needed no editing whatsoever beyond cropping but the dark background required judicious use of photo editing software. That engine bay is maybe a little too tidy, I used some washes and Tamiya pastels to give it the "well-kept driver" look. I was tempted to give the model a more weather beaten look with mismatched panels, missing trim, etc. but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Maybe if I get my hands on a DS19 some day...

[charger74]

It looks great ????

[happy grumpy]

This is my holy grail kit. I hope they re-issue this kit. Your model looks like a sale brochure of the real car. The level of detail is amazing, your flawless paint job make it so real. I want this kit even more now.

[70 Sting]

Superb work. Flawless, really. That chrome is amazing. Did you do anything special with it?

[PatW]

Superb! One of my favourite 1:1 cars!

[Mike C]

Fantastic! Those cars are really unique and that looks like a great kit and you built it perfectly.

[fredo84]

Awesome ? ..you make me wanna build one !!! Superbe !

[radiohd10]

11 hours ago, jaymcminn said:

Thanks Ryan! I've honestly been thinking about stepping away from weird French cars and prewar European stuff to build something American for a change. Post up that Packard, is it the Monogram 1930 Roadster?

 

Monogram Boattail speedster - took some pics last night and gonna post later today ??

[Zoom Zoom]

Inspiring build, great work! I've had this kit for awhile and want to do it justice when I get around to it. I always liked these oddball Citroens and have memories of riding in one several times (a '72 D-Special bought as a low-mile 2 or 3 year old used car) that close family friends had, they generally loved everything about the car aside from the glacial acceleration pace. It had a 4 speed manual column shift transmission and between the suspension, comfy seats, the thick and "springy" floor carpeting and the aerodynamic shape it was remarkably comfortable/quiet on the highway even compared to American luxury cars from that era. If only it didn't have that agricultural-grade engine, but then again in the mid-70's they averaged 27 MPG in their D-Special which was unheard of at the time for something so comfortable.

[SpikeSchumacher]

Stunning build of a very unique car Jason ??

[restoman]

That is some stellar building!

A good friend used to do a lo tof repair and maintainence on Citroens. He had regular customers all around the Great Lakes Basin area. I did the body and paint on 7 or 8 DS models for him, including a wagon and his own convertible. Love those cars.

[espo]

Beautiful looking finishes and detailing throughout. Like seeing something unusual like this especially done in this manner.  

[jaymcminn]

11 hours ago, 70 Sting said:

Superb work. Flawless, really. That chrome is amazing. Did you do anything special with it?

Thanks man! This kit had some of the nicest chrome I've ever seen. I touched up attachment points with Molotow and used Molotow on the ends of the rear bumper where I had to sand down some mold lines. Other than that, it's all kit chrome.

1 hour ago, Zoom Zoom said:

Inspiring build, great work! I've had this kit for awhile and want to do it justice when I get around to it. I always liked these oddball Citroens and have memories of riding in one several times (a '72 D-Special bought as a low-mile 2 or 3 year old used car) that close family friends had, they generally loved everything about the car aside from the glacial acceleration pace. It had a 4 speed manual column shift transmission and between the suspension, comfy seats, the thick and "springy" floor carpeting and the aerodynamic shape it was remarkably comfortable/quiet on the highway even compared to American luxury cars from that era. If only it didn't have that agricultural-grade engine, but then again in the mid-70's they averaged 27 MPG in their D-Special which was unheard of at the time for something so comfortable.

Thanks Bob! I'm not a huge proponent of converting classic gas cars to electric, but the DS would be the perfect candidate. Ditching the tractor engine for something quiet and powerful would make the DS into the car it was always meant to be!

1 hour ago, restoman said:

That is some stellar building!

A good friend used to do a lo tof repair and maintainence on Citroens. He had regular customers all around the Great Lakes Basin area. I did the body and paint on 7 or 8 DS models for him, including a wagon and his own convertible. Love those cars.

Thanks Mike! I'm hoping for a Safari and a Convertible from Ebbro as well. I'll buy 'em all!

[papajohn97]

Fabulous job Jason on this very rarely built and posted kit. This is the best one I’ve seen. I first saw the Ebbro DS19 kit on a trip to France a number of years ago that was about $40USD at the time, been kicking myself ever since for not buying and bringing it home. Your build is making me re-consider paying the current +$100 going price for one of these, look’s like an awesome kit.

[Bainford]

Absolutely lovely build, Jason. So clean, and the colours all work so beautifully. You have really done this kit and car justice. Nice photography, too.

I really need to get one of these kits. I do hope they become available again.

[Jim B]

Really great looking Citroën.  Very well done.

[Pierre Rivard]

Superb build Jason. It looks absolutely lovely. Citroen has brought to market so many innovative cars: Traction Avant, 2CV, SM, C6 and of course the fabulous DS which you have replicated to perfection.

Bravo!

[jaymcminn]

13 minutes ago, Bainford said:

Absolutely lovely build, Jason. So clean, and the colours all work so beautifully. You have really done this kit and car justice. Nice photography, too.

I really need to get one of these kits. I do hope they become available again.

Thanks Trevor! Model Roundup actually has this kit in stock right now. Not sure how much shipping is to Canada, though.

[ewetwo]

What a beautiful build. I use to see one of these in the parking garage years ago.