Suspension project plan — VITIER drawing, ref. E 201-294 (27 December 1963)

In this document

This technical plan is dated and signed "VITIER" on 27-12-63 in the title block p. 2, a date also noted at the top of the page in handwriting.

The drawing

The diagram represents, in cross-section, a cylindrical part topped by a hollow spherical shape—evoking a sphere or a bell—associated with a lower mechanical assembly comprising helical springs and nested threads p. 2. A vertical axis of symmetry structures the whole. A central portion of the cross-section is highlighted with coloured pencils (pink/magenta, green, and blue bands), without the legend for this colour code being provided in the document. A small supplementary sketch, at the bottom left, shows a distinct part such as a nozzle or threaded fitting, also in cross-section, with a visible spring.

Dimensions

Two handwritten annotations contain dimensions: "ϕ = 4!" and "ϕ = 46 x 300" p. 2, the latter corresponding to the mention repeated in the archive description. The letter "S" is noted in pencil above the coloured area, without further clarification.

Title block and designation

The printed title block of the Société Anonyme André Citroën bears the reference PLAN N° E 201-294, the mention "REPRODUCTION INTERDITE" (REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED), and the usual fields (ASSEMBLY, MATERIAL, TREATMENT, COATING, LAUNCH AND MOD., MANUF., WEIGHT, LIMIT, VALID FOR). The DESIGNATION field contains mentions that are largely uncertain to read, of which the word "GERSAT" is the only one noted with sufficient legibility p. 2. The name VITIER and the date 27-12-63 appear clearly, accompanied by an illegible initial in the VISA box.

Context

At this date, late 1963, Citroën was developing and refining the hydropneumatic suspension equipping the DS since 1955, a system based in particular on spheres filled with nitrogen and pressurised fluid, separated by a membrane. The spherical shape drawn on this plan evokes, by its general silhouette, this type of component, although the document itself does not explicitly name a "suspension sphere" nor specify its exact function. This connection is based on the general historical context and not on information provided by the plan.

Archivist's perspective

This plan probably belongs to a series of technical studies dated from late December 1963, a period when several drawings from the same collection bear very close dates, such as Plan E 39.7972 — Front/Rear suspension assembly, dated 25 December 1963.

The average legibility of the page, particularly in the DESIGNATION field, prevents identifying with certainty the precise nature of the projected part: the term "GERSAT" and the neighbouring mentions remain of uncertain interpretation. It is likely a study or project plan (the prefix "E" of the reference could indicate this), rather than a validated series plan, but this is not confirmed by the document p. 2.