DS Pallas
The company in 1965
- Citroën's Research and Development Centre comes into operation at Vélizy outside Paris. It thereby brings together and expands three vital departments formerly scattered around the 15th district of Paris (the Design and Research Departments, and the Laboratories).
- The Panhard factory at Reims (Champagne region), a plant specializing in the manufacture of mechanical components for utility vehicles, becomes partof the Citroën organization. Following on from the partial integration of the sales networks in 1953, this move increases the production of the oldest of French carmakers and uses its facilities more efficiently.
- The DS line in South Africa closes down after producing 1,232 examples. An exhibition of Citroën advertising material is held in the Marsan Pavilion in Paris. It is an international success.
- Annual production : 485 496 vehicles.
The models in 1965
- September sees the launch of a new, more powerful DS, the DS21. The new version is equipped with a completely new 2,175 cm3 5-bearing engine developing 109 bhp SAE at 5,500 rpm. Rated 12 bhp, it travels at 175 km/h and consumes 9.8 litres/100 km. All drive-joints are of the constant-velocity type. The DS21 is equipped with a headlamp levelling system to offset dynamic variations in attitude. It is available with Saloon, Pallas, Prestige and Cabriolet styling. The DS21 is built in 207,313 examples between September 1965 and October 1972.
- December sees the launch of two new types of truck, the 350 and the 600. Both are available in petrol and diesel versions. The new trucks use a DS-type hydraulic system for brake operation, with the green LHM fluid. 350 Type N: 2,176 cm3 4-cylinder petrol engine developing 82 bhp, total laden weight 5,990 kg. 350 Type ND Series P: 3,860 cm3 4-cylinder Perkins diesel engine developing 80 bhp, total laden weight 5,990 kg. 350 Type ND Series M: 4,690 cm3 4-cylinder MAN Diesel engine developing 76 bhp, total laden weight 6,250 kg. 600 P: 5,183 cm3 6-cylinder petrol engine developing 118 bhp, total laden weight 10,300 kg. 600 PD: 5,600 cm3 6-cylinder diesel engine developing 103 bhp, total laden weight 10,300 kg.
In the news in 1965
- In France, an agreement is signed to bring the fourth week of paid holiday into general application.
- The Moroccan trade union leader Ben Barka is kidnapped in Paris.
- Godard makes Pierrot le Fou.
- Courrèges creates the mini-skirt.