When the DS Went to Work: The Citroën Tissier car hauler

In 1969, French coachbuilder Pierre Tissier applied his unconventional thinking to one of the most unconventional cars of its era: the Citroën DS. Already celebrated for its hydropneumatic suspension, front-wheel drive, and aerodynamic design, the DS proved to be an ideal foundation for utility conversions that demanded stability under load. Tissier’s car-hauler conversion extended the DS’s chassis dramatically, transforming a refined executive sedan into a low-slung, purpose-built transporter unlike anything else on European roads.

The genius of the DS hauler lay in its functionality. The self-leveling suspension allowed the car to maintain a constant ride height regardless of load, making it exceptionally well suited to carrying vehicles. The long, flat rear deck, paired with modest loading ramps, enabled the transport of a single Citroën—often a DS or SM—while retaining road manners that belied its unusual proportions. Finished in a distinctive blue, white, and red scheme, the hauler balanced industrial utility with unmistakable French flair.

Beyond its practicality, the Tissier DS hauler became a symbol of Citroën’s confidence in its engineering. It was frequently used for factory support, motorsport logistics, and dealer deliveries, reinforcing the idea that the DS was not merely advanced, but robust enough to serve as working infrastructure. The visual contrast between the elegant cab and the elongated, utilitarian rear only added to its enduring appeal.

That appeal has now been captured in scale. The 1969 Citroën DS 2 Tissier car hauler has been modeled by Altaya as part of its Utilitaires Citroën collection, complete with a period-correct transporter configuration and a Citroën DS21 load on the deck. It follows a recent 1:18 scale release by CMR, finished in the same blue, white, and red livery, confirming the hauler’s status as one of the most distinctive and historically significant utility conversions ever built on the DS platform.