Early 1969

The year 1969 brought curious changes to DS’s bound for the USA. There were significant mid-year changes in 1969, so we will identify cars from early and late 1969 as; Early 1969 cars and 1969 1/2 cars.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Early 1969 cars bound for the USA (both sedans and wagons) received the same exterior lighting that 1968 USA cars had.  In early 1969, Canadian sedans and wagons still had full Euro lighting.  

DASHBOARD AND WIRING

1969 DS’s for the USA had two dashboard designs, one appearing on early 1969 cars and a different one that appeared on 1969 ½ cars.  The early 1969 dashboard changes are described below:

• The most notable dashboard change on USA DS’s in early 1969 was that the little round dashboard switches that had been used for a number of years were replaced with rectangular rocker switches made by Jaeger.  These rocker switches were only used for a few months in early 1969 and were apparently an interim solution to comply with US crashworthiness rules associated with occupant safety.  There is an ID19 dashboard from early 1969 that also uses the Jaeger switches.  Annoyingly, most of these switches didn't have symbols on them, so one had to memorize the function of each switch. See photos. 

• The ignition switch was moved from the main dashboard facia to the left side of the steering wheel pod, also presumably to comply with US crashworthiness rules. 

• Hazard lights were now factory incorporated into the wiring and operated by one of the rectangular Jaeger rocker switches.   

The above changes started driving even more substantial differences in the wiring between USA and Euro models.

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Early 1969 cars for the USA still had different turn signal switches than Euro cars. 

Early USA 1969 DS21 dashboard with Jaeger Rocker switches and Coolaire A/C

Early 1969 ID19 USA dashboard with Jaeger switches

Typical Jaeger Switch used on an Early 1969 DS dashboard

The Citroën parts book suggests that these USA dashboards with Jaeger switches may have been used on late 1968 models as well, but we believe this is not true.  To our knowledge, these dashboards were only used on early 1969 USA models.  

Canadian cars received new dashboards in 1969 as well, but the dashes were much closer to their European counterparts, with rectangular push-on, push-off switches made by Gelbon.  

The speedometer on USA/Canadian cars continued to have minor differences (units in MPH and minor warning light differences).  

DOOR LATCHES

1969 through 1971 USA models had different door latches and striker plates than the Euro models.  These changes were to help prevent the doors from popping open during an accident (they were called anti-burst latches).  Specifically, the striker plate had an extra layer of metal that would prevent the door latch from disengaging if the pillar moved away from the door in an accident. 

A second door latch change occurred on 1969 through 1971 cars.  The front doors received a little black knob on the aft edge of the door that could be used to lock the front doors from the inside.  We believe that this was required by US regulations. See photo. 

The parts book suggests that these unique door latches were on some 1968 USA models as well, but we believe that the parts book is in error and they were only used on 1969 to 1971 USA cars. 

It is noted that the Euro and USA door latch and striker plate components cannot be intermixed, thus making it difficult to find a matching spare part.  And it doesn’t help that the 1966-1969 parts book is hopelessly screwed-up for door latch part numbers and descriptions. 

It appears that Canadian cars received Euro door latches.

USA 1969-1971 DS anti-burst striker plate (Euro striker plate in the inset)

USA 1969-1971 DS door latch comparison - Euro is on the left, USA anti-burst on the right

USA 1969-1971 DS’s had a black knob to lock front doors from inside

EMISSION AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT

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Smog controls remained virtually unchanged on 1969 cars for the USA market. The only noticeable smog difference was that the oil cap on the engine’s valve cover was vented with a hose for 1969. This vented oil cap seems to have disappeared by 1970.

Canadian cars still matched Euro cars for emission controls.

Vented oil cap used on USA 1969 and 1969 1/2 DS's

TIRES

There are conflicting reports whether 1966 to 1968 DS’s delivered to the USA were equipped with the Michelin XAS or the XH tire. However, by 1969 it is clear that all DS’s in the USA had 180-380 Michelin XH tires.  Euro equivalent cars had XAS tires, with most Euro models having narrower tires in the rear. 

We believe that Canadian 1966 to 1972 sedans and wagons were all delivered with 180-380 XAS tires, however documentation is scant. 

Michelin XH tire

Extract from a 1969 USA owners manual specifying 180-380 Michelin XH tires.  We found several owners manuals from this era where this page was stapled or glued over the original page that showed XAS tires.

STRUCTURAL

In a curious move, Citroën added stiffeners to the chassis in several areas, just for USA models. This occurred in several locations and affected numerous years.  

One of the stiffening tactics that does not seem to be documented in the parts books are a pair of channels added to the floor, just in front of the muffler box.  We believe that these stiffeners were only used on early 1969 USA DS’s. They disappeared by 1969 ½.  Documentation is scant on this particular feature.