Thailand
Shingo Ishitaka settled in Thailand about 10
years ago, initially to study the cult of amulets
and the habits of collectors. A collector
himself, he was looking for a classic car and
came across this DS in early 2003: a 1973
DSuper5, complete, which had been sleeping
in a garage in Lopburi for 25 years !
Shingo had the engine overhauled, and he
reconditioned every part ; the interior was
refurbished as well, in Jim Thompson textile,
and creme hide for the seats. He says he
upgraded the dynamo in order to cater for the
aircon and the McIntosh audio system, and
mentions he does not have overheating
problems thanks to a triple-core radiator.
He uses it almost everyday, and sometimes
for long distances too: he even went as far as
Pitsanulok (560 km north of Bangkok) once.
But let Shingo do the talking now. How does it
feel to drive a DS in Thailand ?
"I like her as she hovers on bad surface roads
without reducing speed. But it would be better
if she could be more powerful. (...) The
hydraulic system is especially useful when in
dirt road in the mountain. I am especially
proud of her when other vehicles have to
speed down on unpaved roads but she retains
the same pace. (...) My wife also likes her
because she says she makes every onlooker
smile, not like expensive exotic cars."
years ago, initially to study the cult of amulets
and the habits of collectors. A collector
himself, he was looking for a classic car and
came across this DS in early 2003: a 1973
DSuper5, complete, which had been sleeping
in a garage in Lopburi for 25 years !
Shingo had the engine overhauled, and he
reconditioned every part ; the interior was
refurbished as well, in Jim Thompson textile,
and creme hide for the seats. He says he
upgraded the dynamo in order to cater for the
aircon and the McIntosh audio system, and
mentions he does not have overheating
problems thanks to a triple-core radiator.
He uses it almost everyday, and sometimes
for long distances too: he even went as far as
Pitsanulok (560 km north of Bangkok) once.
But let Shingo do the talking now. How does it
feel to drive a DS in Thailand ?
"I like her as she hovers on bad surface roads
without reducing speed. But it would be better
if she could be more powerful. (...) The
hydraulic system is especially useful when in
dirt road in the mountain. I am especially
proud of her when other vehicles have to
speed down on unpaved roads but she retains
the same pace. (...) My wife also likes her
because she says she makes every onlooker
smile, not like expensive exotic cars."
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Page creation 06/05/2007, revision 13/04/2008
All rights reserved DSinAsia 2006-2008, except otherwise indicated
A DS in Thailand is rare enough; but what about a DS in Thailand driven by... a Japanese DS
enthusiast ? That's a "DS in Asia" that counts double !
enthusiast ? That's a "DS in Asia" that counts double !
Shingo (at the wheel, picture above) is a real
collector. The next cars he's looking for ? A
british-made "break" (estate DS), and... a
Facel HK500.
collector. The next cars he's looking for ? A
british-made "break" (estate DS), and... a
Facel HK500.
