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Page creation 06/01/2008
All rights reserved DSinAsia 2006-2008, except otherwise indicated
Kobayashi (far right) after the road test of the new Honda
S600 at the Murayama Testing Ground, March 1964, in
the Ome vicinity. On the back can be seen a Volvo P1800
and a DS19, both test cars belonging to Honda, whose
engineers (in white uniform) joined the event. Amazing
picture, from the book "Kobayashi Shotaro no Sekai"
("The world of Shotaro Kobayashi"), incl. conversations
with Aritsune Tokudaiji, Ed. Nigensha, 1992.
S600 at the Murayama Testing Ground, March 1964, in
the Ome vicinity. On the back can be seen a Volvo P1800
and a DS19, both test cars belonging to Honda, whose
engineers (in white uniform) joined the event. Amazing
picture, from the book "Kobayashi Shotaro no Sekai"
("The world of Shotaro Kobayashi"), incl. conversations
with Aritsune Tokudaiji, Ed. Nigensha, 1992.
The first "road impression" report of a DS test drive made on Japan's roads was published in
August 1959 by Shotaro Kobayashi, considered today the father of Japan's motor journalism.
Almost 50 years later, he still remembers how "impressed" he was.
August 1959 by Shotaro Kobayashi, considered today the father of Japan's motor journalism.
Almost 50 years later, he still remembers how "impressed" he was.
Kobayashi-san, then a young enthusiast
and promising journalist for "Car
Magazine", inaugurated the concept of
"road impression" reports, going beyond
the usual description of the car's design
and technical specifications. He would
take the car to long trips on the country's
newly built highway and dirt roads alike,
and relate his very own impressions at the
wheel of the car. In 1962 he launched "Car
Graphic", still today one of Japan's most
respected car magazines.
and promising journalist for "Car
Magazine", inaugurated the concept of
"road impression" reports, going beyond
the usual description of the car's design
and technical specifications. He would
take the car to long trips on the country's
newly built highway and dirt roads alike,
and relate his very own impressions at the
wheel of the car. In 1962 he launched "Car
Graphic", still today one of Japan's most
respected car magazines.
For this first-ever "road impression" report of a
DS19, Kobayashi-san took the car to a relatively
short 250 km course from Tokyo to and back from
Hakone, a famous resort area. The car, "almost
new", was borrowed from an American owner, as
indicated by the plate number with an "E": in those
early days, and up to 1962, car imports were
basically limited to foreigners and diplomats.
DS19, Kobayashi-san took the car to a relatively
short 250 km course from Tokyo to and back from
Hakone, a famous resort area. The car, "almost
new", was borrowed from an American owner, as
indicated by the plate number with an "E": in those
early days, and up to 1962, car imports were
basically limited to foreigners and diplomats.
But let's continue to have
Kobayashi-san do the
talking:
"The commands are easy to
handle, but they are
positioned in an unusual
manner; it is like learning a
new language."
"Before even starting the
engine, upon entering the
car, one is stunned by the
class (not the luxury) of the
interior, and the futuristic
atmosphere of every bit of
it."
Kobayashi-san do the
talking:
"The commands are easy to
handle, but they are
positioned in an unusual
manner; it is like learning a
new language."
"Before even starting the
engine, upon entering the
car, one is stunned by the
class (not the luxury) of the
interior, and the futuristic
atmosphere of every bit of
it."
As a matter of fact, Kobayashi-san
was not new to Citroen; while still a
student, he once owned a Light 15 (a
Traction Avant made in the UK),
purchased from a taxi driver. In an
interview published in Car Graphic,
April 2006, he recalls this first test
drive: "Although we had shown the
DS19 in Car Magazine several times
already, it was a real shock to drive
one for the first time. In those days
most people did not even dream of
owning a car, and the imported ones
were mostly american models. (...) The
DS was indeed an unusual car, but
after the test drive I thought it would be
hard to shift back to a normal one. The
suspension, the road holding, the
steering were amazing. (...) I thought no
other car could compare to it, at least
until the appearance of the Jaguar
Type E in 1961."
was not new to Citroen; while still a
student, he once owned a Light 15 (a
Traction Avant made in the UK),
purchased from a taxi driver. In an
interview published in Car Graphic,
April 2006, he recalls this first test
drive: "Although we had shown the
DS19 in Car Magazine several times
already, it was a real shock to drive
one for the first time. In those days
most people did not even dream of
owning a car, and the imported ones
were mostly american models. (...) The
DS was indeed an unusual car, but
after the test drive I thought it would be
hard to shift back to a normal one. The
suspension, the road holding, the
steering were amazing. (...) I thought no
other car could compare to it, at least
until the appearance of the Jaguar
Type E in 1961."
Kobayashi-san then describes at length every aspect
of the car, and concludes:
"It was a short rendez-vous (in French in the original
text !) with the Citroen DS19, but I felt so much
affection for this car with a somewhat funny face, that
it was hard to part. To cut a long story short, I'd say the
DS19 is an economical family car with the handling
and the road holding of a top-range sports car, and
the comfort of a first-class american car. Due to the
different situation in Japan, some aspects of this car
may not be valued here; but for the faithful followers of
the Traction Avant, no doubt this car will be a dream
come true."
of the car, and concludes:
"It was a short rendez-vous (in French in the original
text !) with the Citroen DS19, but I felt so much
affection for this car with a somewhat funny face, that
it was hard to part. To cut a long story short, I'd say the
DS19 is an economical family car with the handling
and the road holding of a top-range sports car, and
the comfort of a first-class american car. Due to the
different situation in Japan, some aspects of this car
may not be valued here; but for the faithful followers of
the Traction Avant, no doubt this car will be a dream
come true."
Six out of the original article's seven pages. Click to enlarge. (Car Magazine, August 1959)
In his article, Kobayashi-san makes a full review of the
car's extraordinary features.
His opening comments set the tone: "I had reviewed
all the documentation I could find about the car before,
so I thought I knew what could be expected. But from
the moment I took the wheel and made the first turn, I
forgot everything, as I realized this was a totally new
concept of motoring."
car's extraordinary features.
His opening comments set the tone: "I had reviewed
all the documentation I could find about the car before,
so I thought I knew what could be expected. But from
the moment I took the wheel and made the first turn, I
forgot everything, as I realized this was a totally new
concept of motoring."
In spite of all that, Kobayashi
never owned a DS: "I was
young in those days, and I
was more interested in
lighter, sports-type of cars.
But when I look at it now, I
think the DS is definitely one
of the few cars that will
survive the times. You know, I
was in the organizing
committee of the COTC (Car
Of The Century) contest back
in 2000, so I could not vote.
The Ford T was selected in
the end. If I could have voted,
no doubt I would have
chosen the DS."
never owned a DS: "I was
young in those days, and I
was more interested in
lighter, sports-type of cars.
But when I look at it now, I
think the DS is definitely one
of the few cars that will
survive the times. You know, I
was in the organizing
committee of the COTC (Car
Of The Century) contest back
in 2000, so I could not vote.
The Ford T was selected in
the end. If I could have voted,
no doubt I would have
chosen the DS."
Kobayashi-san (center), now retired from motor journalism but still
inhabited by the passion, finds himself again in front of a DS, at the
occasion of its 50th anniversary, for Car Graphic (April 2006). The car
belongs to Sugiyama-san (right), advisor for the Citroen Club of Japan.
inhabited by the passion, finds himself again in front of a DS, at the
occasion of its 50th anniversary, for Car Graphic (April 2006). The car
belongs to Sugiyama-san (right), advisor for the Citroen Club of Japan.
