Los Angeles information on DS incidents (1962)

In this document

This one-page handwritten note lists a series of problems observed on DS and Break models sold in Los Angeles in 1962. A red annotation specifies that "x points also cited during the Los Angeles agents' meeting on Thursday 13.1.62" p. 24, which places the origin of these remarks in field feedback from American dealers.

Oil and hydraulics

The note mentions the oil used locally, "Prestone Brand" from "Union Carbide," described as "Super Heavy Duty superior to SAE 70 R1 and 70 R3" p. 24, with a red box highlighting this passage.

Reported issues include: rubber tubes that "no longer hold" (warping), yellowed suction, problems with the "1D power steering return," and a suggestion for tin-plating the tubes ("Tin-plating of armco tubes?") p. 24. The text specifies that "before April 62 this defect did not exist" p. 24.

Other defects noted

The note also lists: door surround rubber seals that are satisfactory but window scraper seals deemed poor; a unanimous request from agents for an "oil temperature and pressure gauge"; seat upholstery burned by the sun; a headliner that "turns to dust" in high heat ("t. 110 F", smog); roof mastic that dries and cracks; paint that becomes dull p. 24.

Regarding mechanics: front brake piston seals limited to "30,000 km maximum," a loss of the Break rear tailgate, a sharp angle on the brake piston whose smoothing improves operation, a reverse gear piston that "remains seized," brake squeal resolved by "Scotch manufacturing paper," and a setting of the centrifugal governor deemed "practically impossible" when new p. 24.

Finally, a water leak at the "rear cylinder head closing plate" on DS and Break is noted for a small number of cars, including one case of seizure after "27,000 km in 5 months" p. 24, as well as window opening deemed insufficient on the "AM16" p. 24.

Context

Los Angeles, with its hot climate and strong sunlight, was a very demanding full-scale testing ground for Citroën regarding materials (rubbers, paints, upholstery) and the behavior of the hydraulics, the central system of the DS. Feedback from American agents, during this period when the model's export to the United States was still limited, offered valuable insight into performance under extreme conditions, very different from the European climate.

Archivist's perspective

This document is presented as a raw summary of field feedback, likely prepared by Paul Magès or for his use, based on a meeting of local agents p. 24. It illustrates the technical monitoring role the engineer played beyond mere design: each cited defect seems noted to fuel reflection on future improvements.

The red annotations, particularly the one mentioning the absence of corrosion on hydraulic parts (uncertain reading), suggest a subsequent review seeking to verify or nuance certain points. This document is part of the chronological sequence of work on the hydraulic reliability of the DS, in the same vein as the investigation into hydraulic leaks of January 1962 and the road tests of April 1962.