Original post — 2021-05-21
...going up the drive &
Unloaded.
Tomorrow close exam and winching into garage.
...also: how to open a stuck hood?
Follow-up — 2021-05-22
LHS vs LHM ...my impression (even before it arrived) was that this car had passed through a series of "wrong hands" and had finally been laid up (fortunately in AZ and UT) for the last 15-20. The seller was sure the car takes the LHM and even included a few spare cans, but it seems this is a US spec LHS car (black spheres). I'll say more as I look he car over, but will add that the seller/PO reports his regret on having the car running and rising up on the hydraulics, but that he noticed leaks and regrets not having taken the car for a spin.
Here is the VIN (from the title; will confirm once the hood is open...) AC67 4377901 The most I could do with that VIN is to confirm it looks to be a 1967. US or Euro ...that is way above my paygrade, at the moment. I sure would like to find out, though !
--
Michael
Follow-up — 2021-05-22
Got the hood open. The old shake and wiggle on the rt. side, but the left took removing the forward inner fender to get a better view - turned out not very helpful because the access through the rack tie rod access hole and another opening closer to the cowl gave a better purchase on the cable. Eventually with lubrication sprayed into the mechanism and other general persistence I got it unlatched.
Here are my number plates. Between Tony's and John's comments (and a visit to the "nuancierds") the specs are beginning to fall in line. I too thought this was an AC421 Bourdeaux, but the tag indicates AC419 - Rouge Cornaline. The round tag also has an "AS" stamped after the AC419. Is that "AS" interior color code? There is a piece of original red carpet still attached to the height selector cover.
Over on the left side of the cowl, the tag has C030 026779 and the Citromatic? has the "DX 21?" and the longer serial code 0571010079. Finally, there is an ID tag on the right side longeron? which reads "J363482" I would love to know what additional insights these numbers offer.
LHS or LHM: The fluid in the reservoir is Red. If this really is LHS, in the tank (and not ATF) then this pretty much confirms what John and others have suggested - this is an LHS car. The spheres are black (and one is hand marked 02/88 from last recorded service, I guess). Remarkably, the PO sent me a few quarts of Green LHM fluid and also a bottle of ATF which, according to him he was advised by a shop in PA to flush the LHM system with, ...so as to use the cheaper ATF at the "diagnostic" stages. I specifically asked the Red or Green question and the PO was adamant about Green. ...But the fluid in the tank is Red!!!
Judging by other evidence of so called service, upkeep and pre-sale disclosure, let's just say that it's not surprising the car sat for 15 years or more.
On to the Pallas question: I see lots of Pallas trim, although not the lower door moldings. A set of sill chrome moldings were included in the trunk, along with a very nice set of Pallas hubcaps.
The hood release pulls are plastic. I read somewhere that on Pallas cars, and not on others, there was a sound/temp aluminum heat-shield mounted on the cowl behind the engine. IDK whether that is accurate info, but this DS does have that heatshield. Any other definitive details I could discover?
I guess all this is now becoming important because I have to make a hard decision about what I am going to commit to with this car. For the time being, I will aim at at least getting the motor running. More as it evolves...
Thank you all!
Michael
