1969 Citroën DS21 Chapron Série 2 Cabriolet Conversion Listed on Bring a Trailer

A 1969 Citroën DS21 converted to a Chapron Série 2 cabriolet by Karl’s Autowerkstatt is now offered on Bring a Trailer with official documentation. Explore full details.

A rare and heavily reworked 1969 Citroën DS21 has surfaced on Bring a Trailer, presented not as a standard DS sedan but as a Henri Chapron Série 2 cabriolet conversion completed in Germany in 2019 by Karl’s Autowerkstatt in Brensbach. The car was brought to the United States later that same year and has remained in California ownership since it was acquired by the current owner in 2020.

While the Citroën DS is already a landmark of French automotive design, this example leans into an even more exclusive chapter of DS history. The listing notes that the original DS cabriolet was first built in 1958 by Parisian coachbuilder Henri Chapron, who later reached an agreement with Citroën to produce two-door convertibles under contract from 1960 to 1971. Karl’s Autowerkstatt, which carried out this conversion, has since been named the licensed manufacturer of continuation cars built on behalf of Chapron International.

The transformation required more than simply removing the roof. The conversion reportedly involved reinforcing the frame, lengthening the doors, and grafting a revised rear body section. Finished in metallic brown and paired with a brown cloth soft top, the result preserves the DS silhouette while giving it a far more dramatic open-air presence. Exterior details include enclosed headlights with directional high beams, dual side mirrors, and gold DS21 badging.

Mechanically, the car retains one of the DS’s most defining features: its self-leveling, height-adjustable hydropneumatic suspension. The system is paired with power steering and power-assisted brakes, while stopping power is handled by inboard-mounted front disc brakes and rear drums. The car rides on 15-inch steel wheels with stainless-steel covers and 180-width Michelin whitewall tires, with a spare stored under the hood ahead of the engine.

Inside, the cabin has been re-trimmed in cognac leather, extending across the seating surfaces, lower dash, door panels, and even the removable center armrest and top boot. Equipment includes a heater, hand-crank windows, and three-point front seatbelts. A retro-style digital media receiver has also been fitted and connected to aftermarket speakers, blending classic styling with more modern usability.

Power comes from a 2.2-liter inline-four fitted with a single Weber downdraft carburetor. A column-shifted five-speed manual transaxle sends power to the front wheels, maintaining the DS’s distinctive driving layout. The odometer shows 2,400 kilometers (about 1,500 miles), with approximately 600 added under current ownership, though total mileage remains unknown.

Documentation is a major highlight of the offering. The car is accompanied by a Henri Chapron Carrossier certificate issued by Noëlle-Eléonore Chapron, Henri Chapron’s daughter. The document describes the vehicle as a Henri Chapron Série 2 cabriolet conversion finished in metallic brown with a cognac leather interior and lists a July 25, 2019 build date. Additional paperwork from Karl’s Autowerkstatt is also included.

The listing also notes that the car does not meet EPA emissions requirements for vehicles built between 1968 and 1975. However, the seller states that it has been registered in California since 2020 without requiring smog checks during registration renewals, suggesting a relatively straightforward ownership situation within the state.

As bidding continued, the car had already reached $161,000, drawing significant attention with tens of thousands of views and more than 2,500 watchers. Given the combination of dramatic coachbuilt styling, extensive documented conversion work, and strong collector interest, the final result may climb even higher before the auction closes.