Car Citroën DS 19 (popularly known as “Shark” or “Goddess”) from the cult Soviet film “Nannies” (1982) has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Russian cinema. It was this model that was driven by the main anti-hero, nicknamed Fantômas (actor Evgeny Leonov), and the phrase “Car! The car from “Nannies”!” has firmly entered the vocabulary of several generations. But few people know that two modifications were used in the film. Citroën DS - with bodies Sedan and Break (station wagon), as well as their technical features, which made the car unique for the USSR.

Today original Citroën DS 19 in good condition - a rarity, and copies with a “film biography” (even without confirmed participation in filming) are sold with a markup of up to 30–50%. In this article, we’ll look at what the car from “Nannies” is actually called, where you can buy it in 2026, and what to look for when buying so as not to run into a fake or “tired” copy.

Why exactly the Citroën DS 19 became Fantômas' car

The choice of a French sedan for filming was not accidental. Citroën DS (pronounced "De Es", from the French Déesse - “goddess”) was produced from 1955 to 1975 and was famous for its revolutionary solutions for its time:

🔹 Hydropneumatic suspension — allowed the car to “squat” when stopping and smoothly overcome bumps, which looked futuristic even in the 1980s.

🔹 Aerodynamic design — drag coefficient Cx=0.38 was a record for production cars of that time (for comparison: the Zhiguli - Cx=0.45).

🔹 Single-spoke steering wheel - became the calling card of the model and was associated with futurism.

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If in the film it seemed to you that Fantômas’ car was “levitating” while moving, this is not editing. Hydraulics DS really allowed the body to smoothly rise and fall by 15 cm, which created a “floating” effect.

In the USSR Citroën DS was exotic: it was not officially supplied, and those single copies that came into the country belonged to diplomats or high-ranking officials. This is what made the car the ideal “villainous” transport - luxurious, mysterious and inaccessible to ordinary Soviet citizens.

Technical characteristics of the Citroën DS 19 from “Nannies”

Two modifications were used in the film:

1. Citroën DS 19 Sedan (1962–1967) - a classic sedan with a 4-door body.

2. Citroën DS Break (station wagon) - in the scene of the chase for the "Zaporozhets".

Common parameters for both versions:

| Characteristics | Meaning |

|-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Engine | 1.9 l, inline 4-cylinder, 75–83 hp (depending on year) |

| Gearbox | 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic (rare) |

| Drive | Front |

| Max. speed | 150–160 km/h (according to the passport), in reality – 130–140 km/h |

| Fuel consumption | 10–12 l/100 km (gasoline AI-92) |

| Weight | 1,200–1,300 kg |

| Features | Hydraulics in the brakes, clutch, suspension and even the steering! |

How to distinguish DS 19 from DS 21?

DS 21 (1965–1975) almost identical in appearance DS 19, but has:

✅ Engine 2.0 or 2.1 l (90–109 hp).

✅ Improved hydraulics with softer operation.

✅ Additional chrome moldings on the body.

It was used in the film DS 19 — it can be identified by the absence of moldings on the rear wings and a more modest interior trim.

⚠️ Attention

Hydraulic system DS requires specialized maintenance. In 2026, there will be no more than 10 workshops left in Russia that undertake hydraulic repairs Citroën DS. Before purchasing, check the availability of service in your region - otherwise the car risks becoming a “garage exhibit”.

Where to buy a car from "Nannies" in 2026

Original Citroën DS 19 in good condition - very rare. Main search sites:

1. Specialized auctions and clubs

🔹 Retro Cars Russia ([website](https://www.retrocars.ru)) - rare foreign cars often appear here, including DS. Average price: 1.2–2.5 million rubles.

🔹 Club "French Rarity" (VKontakte) - owners exchange information about sales “closed”, without public announcements.

2. Foreign sites

🔹 eBay Motors (Germany, France) - prices from €15,000, but you will have to resolve issues with customs clearance (duty ~30% + VAT).

🔹 LeBonCoin (France) - local analogue of Avito. Here you can find used copies 50–80 thousand km priced at €20,000–€35,000.

3. Private collectors

Many copies are sold “from hand to hand” through word of mouth. We advise you to monitor:

  • 📌 Telegram channels like @RetroAutoSales.
  • 📌 Forums Drive2 (section “Rarity”).
  • 📌 Retro car exhibitions (for example, Moscow Classic Week).

At an auction in Russia|At foreign dealers|Through the owners' club|I would restore it myself from a “donor”-->

How to distinguish an original from a replica or “repainted” car

The problem is that under the guise of “cars from Nannies” they often sell:

- Citroën ID (simplified version DS without hydraulics in the steering wheel and gearbox).

- Repainted DS 20/21 with modified moldings.

- Modern replicas based on Peugeot 406 or Citroën C5 (look similar, but have nothing in common with the original).

Checklist for checking:

VIN number starts with 444 (for DS 19) or 445 (for DS 21)|There is a sign on the steering column that says Citroën and serial number|The headlights have glass lenses with corrugation (plastic on replicas)|Under the hood there is a hydraulic pump with markings LHS-->

⚠️ Attention

If the seller claims that the car “participated in filming,” ask for documentary evidence. There are no more than 3–5 original “movie machines” left, and all of them are in museums (for example, in Museum of Retro Cars in Riga). Any other statements are a reason to doubt the seller’s honesty.

How much does the car from “Nannies” cost in 2026?

Prices depend on condition, history and equipment:

| Vehicle condition | Price (Russia, rub.) | Price (Europe, €) |

|----------------------------|---------------------|------------------|

| Museum copy (complete restyling) | 2,500,000–4,000,000 | 35,000–50,000 |

| Good (running, no corrosion) | 1,200,000–1,800,000 | 18,000–25,000 |

| Project for restoration (has some rust, not running) | 400,000–800,000 | 8,000–12,000 |

| Replica based on another car | 200,000–500,000 | 3,000–7,000 |

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The most expensive copies are those that have a “film biography” (even indirect) or belonged to celebrities. For example, in 2021 Citroën DS actor Evgeny Leonov was sold for 3.8 million rubles at an auction in Moscow.

Purchase Citroën DS 19 abroad requires taking into account several points:

1. Customs clearance:

- Duty - 30% from price + VAT 20%.

- For cars over 30 years old (category “rarity”), benefits are possible, but only if the car was imported as a “museum exhibit” (confirmation from the Ministry of Culture is required).

2. Technical inspection:

- In Russia DS 19 is not certified, so you will have to pass Individual Vehicle Type Approval (OTTS).

- Cost of the procedure: ~150,000 rubles.

3. Insurance:

- Most insurance companies refuse to issue compulsory motor liability insurance for vintage cars. Alternative - voluntary insurance (for example, in Ingosstrakh or RESO-Garantiya).

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If you buy a car to participate in retro events (for example, Mille Miglia Russia), apply for temporary import for 1 year. This will save on customs clearance, but prohibits the sale of cars in Russia.

Alternatives: what to buy if the Citroën DS 19 is too expensive

If your budget is limited, but you want a Nanny-style car, consider these options:

  • 🚗 Citroën CX (1974–1991) - “heir” DS with similar hydraulics, but a more modern design. Price: 300–700 thousand rubles.
  • 🚗 Peugeot 404 (1960–1975) - less futuristic, but no less legendary. Price: 200–500 thousand rubles.
  • 🚗 Volvo P1800 (1961–1973) - “James Bond car” from the film “GoldenEye”. Price: 1.5–3 million rubles.
  • 🚗 Replica based GAZ-24 - some workshops remake Volgas for DS (looks similar, but without hydraulics). Price: 150–300 thousand rubles.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the car from “Nannies”

🔧 Is it possible to drive a Citroën DS 19 in winter?

Theoretically, yes, but with reservations:

  • The hydraulic system is sensitive to frost below -15°C - liquid LHS thickens, and the car may become immobilized.
  • Original size tires 185/15 It’s difficult to find in a winter version - you’ll have to install modern analogues.
  • The interior heating is weak by modern standards (the stove only heats while driving).

Conclusion: suitable for occasional trips around the city, but not suitable as daily transport in winter.

📜 Do you need a category B license to drive a Citroën DS 19?

Yes, despite the age of the car, for driving DS 19 category rights required «B» (as for a passenger car). The exception is if the car is registered as "homemade vehicle" (which is unlikely for a rarity).

In some countries (for example, France), for a vintage car over 30 years old, category rights are sufficient «B1» (simplified), but in Russia there is no such division.

🔧 Is it possible to install a modern engine in a Citroën DS 19?

Technically, yes, but it requires serious improvements:

  • The most popular option is engine swap from Peugeot 406 (2.0 l, 136 hp).
  • The mounts, exhaust system and electronics will need to be adapted.
  • Hydraulic system DS compatible with modern motors, but the pump will have to be upgraded.

Cost: ~500,000–800,000 rubles (with work).

⚠️ Attention: After the swap you will have to go through it again OTTS, since design changes require new approval.

🎥 How many Citroën DS 19 cars were used in the filming of “Nannies”?

According to the director Vladimir Rogovoy, the film featured:

  • 2 cars — DS 19 Sedan (main) and DS Break (for the chase scene).
  • Both belonged Mosfilm and were purchased in France in the early 1970s.
  • After filming, one car was dismantled for parts, the second was mothballed for a long time, and then was sold to a private collection.
💰 Is it possible to make money with a car from “Nannies”?

Yes, but only if you get creative:

  • 🎬 Filming/advertising — renting a rarity costs 10,000–30,000 rub./day.
  • 🏆 Participation in a retro rally (for example, Silk Way Classic) - prizes up to 500,000 rub..
  • 📸 Photo sessions — weddings, music videos, themed events (5,000–15,000 rub./hour).

Important: For a car to be profitable, it must be in perfect condition—customers won’t want to pay for a rusty “project.”