Produced from 1955 to 1976, The Citroën DS was a particularly advanced machine; front-wheel drive, directional headlights, and a hydraulic suspension system that provided a wonderful balance between ride quality and handling. The Pallas was the luxury upgrade kit available from 1965. Read more about it on Wikipedia.
As a younger, less-cultured automobile enthusiast, my first car was a Morris 1300, and my colleagues drove Minis, Vauxhall Vivas, Ford Escorts, Holden Toranas and the like. Japanese imports were only just starting to appear, and so the automobiles of New Zealand were largely British and Australian cars. European cars were rare, I recall the odd Peugeot 504, and my aunt at one stage had a Citroën BX19.
When I first set my eyes on a DS, I thought it was hideous. It looked like a speedboat, had a front wheel-track wider than the rear, and had a saggy bum. The cream, single-spoke steering wheel was plain bizarre.
But as my automotive taste matured, the DS grew on me; like coffee, beer and olives, some good things have a taste that is acquired. Once you appreciate the technology and innovation that has gone into this car, you start to respect it. And once you respect it, it starts to look better and better. I can now say in all honesty that I consider this one of the most beautiful cars I know.
Other worthy Citroëns are the CX, and as James May drew to my attention in his book May on Motors, the rather unlikely 1991 Citroën AX GT.