Disc brakes were born on track but this French car took them to the streets

In 1955, a French car – the Citroën DS – became the first mass-produced model to have disc brakes as standard.

The change followed years of motorsport success that proved their advantages over drum brakes.

Citroën committed to putting the technology into everyday production when most manufacturers had yet to take the step.

The story of how the Citroën DS brought disc brakes from the track to the road explains why this decision still shapes modern cars.

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Racing paved the way

For much of the first half of the 20th century, cars relied on drum brakes.

They were affordable to produce but struggled with heat build-up and reduced performance after repeated use.

Rain and wet roads made the problem worse, and as cars became faster, the limits of drum brakes became more apparent.

In the early 1950s, racing teams began using disc brakes adapted from aircraft.

They handled high speeds and heavy braking with greater consistency.

Jaguar demonstrated the potential in 1953 by winning both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Mille Miglia with Dunlop disc brakes.

These victories convinced manufacturers to consider adapting the technology for road cars.

American makers tried early versions.

Chrysler’s 1949 Imperial had a complex ‘double disc’ setup, while Crosley fitted aircraft-style discs to its Hot Shot.

Both projects ended quickly due to high costs and reliability issues. This opened the way for European manufacturers to set the standard.

The Citroën DS set the standard

The Citroën DS debuted at the 1955 Paris Motor Show with standard front disc brakes, making it the first mass-produced French car to do so.

The caliper-type system allowed cooling air to reach the brakes, improving performance under heavy use.

This approach reflected experience gained in motorsport, where consistent braking was critical.

Production numbers in 1955 were small, but the decision marked an important milestone in automotive engineering.

The Triumph TR3, revealed later in 1955, also offered disc brakes, yet production did not start until the following year.

By then, the Citroën DS had already set the example.

In 1957, Jaguar made four-wheel disc brakes standard on the XK150, reinforcing the technology’s role in high-performance and road-going vehicles.

By making disc brakes standard on the DS, Citroën helped shift the industry away from drum brakes.

Motorsport had proven the benefits, and production adoption brought them to everyday drivers.

Nearly seventy years later, the French car remains a landmark in automotive safety history.

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