Citroen GS - the best 70s mid range French car?!

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  • čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
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    Citroen GS
    Introduced in 1970, the Citroen GS was devised by Citroen to help fill a gap in their range. They had the 2CV and Ami leading the way in their economy sector and the luxurious DS led the charge at the upper end of Citroen’s showroom.
    But for the middle buyer, the choice was weak, so Citroen decided the GS would sit firmly in the middle. Citroen got it right in so many ways as you’ll see in this video, but crucially it clicked with the buyers and the reviewers: it won car of the year in 1971 and sold over 1.8 million units worldwide.
    It’s a brilliant result, but then they did spend 14 years taking the car from concept to launch, so with all that input and thought, you’d hope you’d got it spot on!
    And as for success and market penetration, my goodness, these GS’ really were seen across the world. They were assembled and sold everywhere from Chile to Thailand through to what was then known as Yugoslavia and South Africa.
    The car was designed by a trusty pair of hands, Robert Opron who was the he man who had restyled the DS in 1967 to give it the shark nose and lights which turned with the steering and was also one of the clever minds behind the SM, the CX and later on, the Renault 25.
    The initial launch had the 1015cc engine, which is what we’ve got today on test. You’ll see it cruises beautifully and wants for nothing, but the buyers of the era felt it was underpowered and wanted more and by the end of production, the car was sporting 1299cc engine, an incredibly smooth flat 4 engine.
    It is worth noting however than on tests on the 1015cc engines, the car had 55.5bhp and due to the impeccable aerodynamics could and would achieve 90+ miles per hour. Which is still more than enough for the busy 21st century.
    The transmission chosen for the GS was as standard, a 4 speed manual, but there was also the option to go for the C Matic. I believe the 5 speed box was then introduced with the arrival of the GSA.
    The suspension was hydroneumatic and I’ll show you how that works before we go driving and how it looks from the outside.
    Now you might think with such cracking sales, the market expansion and a worldwide interest in the brand that Citroen were flying high, but here’s the thing.
    However, Citroen were hideously impacted by their desire to create a Wankel rotary engine, which was a collaboration with NSU, called the Citroen Birotor - and it failed for a number of reasons including costs which put it at 70% more expensive when fitted to the Citroen GS.
    In fact, it made it just as expensive as a DS - which totally screwed up how it sat within the range and it’ll not surprise you that less than 1,000 were sold.
    It was partially this which led to Peugeot’s takeover of Citroen in the mid 70s.
    However, Citroen lived on and so did the GS and it was replaced in 1980 by the GSA, a favourite amongst Citroen fanatics and viewers of HubNut.
    ABOUT THE SUSPENSION
    The GS has the same self-levelling hydropneumatic suspension system as the DS, SM, BX and others.
    To put it plainly, you’re gliding across the landscape of a bed of compressed nitrogen and if you were to dig deep and take a closer look, there’s a little green sphere above each wheel which acts as a damper and spring combined.
    And for those wondering if it’s a costly solution to the rocky roads out there, i’s actually cheaper and easier to replace than conventional springs. Or so the owners tell me!
    It’s also worth mentioning the suspension is very compact and it’s laid flat along the floor, which means there’s no need for rear suspension turrets and allows for a completely flat and square load space.
    It’s not just about ride comfort though. It’s about ride composure - on a poorly surfaced road, the GS is safer and more settled than a car with steel springs.
    The anti-dive disc brakes are also fully powered hydraulics. That’s not power assisted like most cars - it’s fully powered and pressurised by the same system as the suspension.
    That makes the brakes very sensitive on your first drive… but you get used to the sharpness and soon discover how effective they are.
    The GS was a class leader - it beat every other car in contemporary road tests.

Komentáře • 178

  • @Farney-gy1qo
    @Farney-gy1qo Před měsícem +45

    A beautiful Car. When I was around 10/11 years old I used to borrow the GS/A Haynes manual from the library to read. I loved studying the exploded drawings. I was a weird child, when all the other kids were reading The Hobbit or Lord of the rings I would read Haynes car manuals.

    • @Zeem4
      @Zeem4 Před měsícem +3

      Same here. I remember my dad kept the Haynes manual for his Talbot Avenger in the car, so I'd read it on longer trips. Because of this, he gave me the Haynes manual for the HC Viva that he had before the Avenger, so I'd read that at other times.

    • @Farney-gy1qo
      @Farney-gy1qo Před měsícem +3

      @@Zeem4 My dad had a hillman Avenger in the 80's.I have collected many Haynes manuals over the years, I think I'm in triple figures now. I have some Auto books too, and an AA Training Guide its like a pop up book in a cased file.

    • @thomasheitmann1804
      @thomasheitmann1804 Před měsícem

      Citroën
      Genialität auf Rädern

  • @boronsniify
    @boronsniify Před měsícem +18

    I got to drive a GSA and it was a revelation! Wonderful ride, great brakes (with anti dive geometry) and that willing little flat 4. And the looks - aerodynamic and beautiful on the outside and that sculptural dashboard on the inside.
    I am a car designer by profession and have owned and driven lots of nice high end cars, but the GS is really stands out.

    • @thomasheitmann1804
      @thomasheitmann1804 Před měsícem +1

      Citroën ID DS GSA CX .....C 6
      Citroën Legende
      Citroën forever

  • @theclocker7406
    @theclocker7406 Před měsícem +5

    The GS is such a symphony of cool design and automotive beauty, in perfect harmony. Citroen's used to be the masters of this kind of elegance, and cars like this are absolute gems. That dash is so simplistic and incredibly stylish; stunning! It's the whole reason I so love French classic cars so much. Just wish we could get them in Canada ☹ Thanks Steph, for yet another fabulous video!

  • @rev.waynet.oleary7387
    @rev.waynet.oleary7387 Před měsícem +9

    Another great review. Citroen was years ahead while the uk was churning out the morris marina and alegro.

  • @fruitychink
    @fruitychink Před měsícem +16

    GS was one of the best cars EVER . Even allowing for the many quality production issues which were endemic with all production in the 70 s , it was a dream to drive and own and mine was a real gem . I drove it for over 100K miles in the Highlands where I was travelling from school to school in pretty challenging driving conditions . Best car I ever had though my Dyanne runs it close .

    • @johnathandaviddunster38
      @johnathandaviddunster38 Před měsícem +2

      My grandad had a dolomite sprint when he was in his seventies after he spun on a wet roundabout he decided to get a slower car so he bought a gsa, because of its superior handling he was driving faster than ever except on the straights ...😅

  • @stephenberry1205
    @stephenberry1205 Před měsícem +13

    Great review Stef as always.
    In Australia I had a 1971 1015 Cmatic GS Club C-Matic which I bought as a demo.
    The C-Matic in the GS & CX has a 3 speed torque converter with manual shifting.
    You can take of slowly in 2nd with slipping of the torque converter...
    The comfort, safety and dynamics of the GS were never equalled by any other small car.
    I quickly progressed to a new 1972 GS 1220 manual - which has a smoother manual gearbox than the 1015. My parents were so impressed dad bought a 1220 C-Matic..
    They were once overtaking another car and the car beeped at them, because they had a flat back tyre. With the self levelling suspension and great stability they did not notice.
    Another time dad was crossing the undulating waterway bridge between Tuncurry and Forster again cars were beeping him, pointing to the roof. Continuing the 500 metres across he pulled up and found 2 bottles of beer in a paper bag, that he had bought at the bottle shop. Cossetted by the soft suspension.
    Then there was a time on the open road they were overtaking a car and bus at 65 mph when the car behind the bus pulled out, dad swerved into the dirt onto the other side of the road and then back onto the road. They came to a stop sideways to the road in the middle.
    Any other car would have rolled. Their next car was a CX2400 Pallas C-matic, and mum inherited her favourite car of all time... the GS... BRILLIANT MACHINE, worthy of Car of the Year...
    I drove my 1220 very fast in the countryside, often sitting on 85-90 mph including on irregular surfaces of B roads... so safe.. and fun..
    We leased a GSA X1 1300 5 speed in Europe for 3 weeks in 1982.
    A fantastic leap forward on the GS1220.... Sat on 100 mph with 3 up & luggage on autoroutes in France and Italy....

    • @Mortimer50145
      @Mortimer50145 Před měsícem +1

      Did you like the C-Matic? My dad had a GSA with C-Matic (an early one with the GS-style round-gauge dashboard). I found it truly appallilng to drive: the movement of the gear lever was very jerky and the take-up of power as you reapplied power after changing to a new gear was very jerky. And it had the vagueness that you get with torque-converter transmissions, where engine speeds up before wheels start to do so. It was a lovely car with nasty transmission. I also didn't like the layout of the gears which put reverse and first in a vertical line: I was scared stiff of hitting R instead of 2 when changing up, because as far as I remember (and it was 40-odd years ago) there was no lift-collar interlock to prevent you hiting R unless you really meant to. I know it was standard for 3-speed gearboxes, but I would have preferred the normal layout of 4, 5 and 6 speed gearboxdes where R is off to one side.
      I drove the same car with a normal 4 or 5 speed gearbox when the garage gave him a loan car while his was in for a service and that was very different - lovely smooth gearchange. Still suffered from a too-small, to-high-revving engine, which made it noisy and also more difficult to engage low gears smoothly when changing down because of the greater engine braking than with a higher-geared lower-revving car. My impression (and I could have been wrong) was that it was higher-revving than my mum's Renault 6 with an 1100 engine that I learned ot drive on. But that's based on engine note alone because neither car had a rev counter.

    • @rogerhorton4056
      @rogerhorton4056 Před měsícem

      I have always loved Citoen of the 50 to 80 eras my dream car was always the DS due to being an apprentice I was unable to afford one I finally had the chance buying two GS one GSA three CX plus a BX model I loved them all without exception I was told by a friend of mine that the CX models were expensive to own and maintain, what a load of rubbish . I would love to own them all again.

    • @stephenberry1205
      @stephenberry1205 Před měsícem

      @@rogerhorton4056 I had a CX 2400 EFI Prestige 5 speed manual with leather from new in UK & Europe and bought it home to Australia.
      Hugely comfortable grand tourer with style and fun.

  • @kimmohietala5359
    @kimmohietala5359 Před měsícem +14

    The best mid-seventies small car fullstop

  • @promerops
    @promerops Před měsícem +2

    I had a GS as a company car way back in the early 1980s. Delightful and magnificent car! I wish they still made them - I'd love a GSA as a daily driver.

  • @davidjones8680
    @davidjones8680 Před měsícem +10

    My first ever car was an Ami Super, which had the same 1015cc flat four engine as this GS. It was no slouch as it was a fair bit lighter than a GS. Many other road users who presumed it was the slow version with the two cylinder 2CV/Dyane engine got well suprised when I out paced them. Handling however was a completely diffrent matter, the suspension was inadequate for the power it had. I later had several GS models, they were fabulous cars that were in a league of there own compared to equivalent stuff from the likes of Ford and BL.
    Latter moved on to the BX with the diesel engine, which were really excellent too. For a few years my father had a late model DS23 Pallas with the clutchless manual gearbox. What a fabulous thing that was, truly a masterpiece of automotive engineering.

  • @michaeltutty1540
    @michaeltutty1540 Před měsícem +5

    Great video about a car that was completely unknown to me. By the time of the GS, Citroen had abandoned North America. I can see, though, why the car never made it to Canada. The bumpers would not stand a chance with the Canadian regulations of the time. The back bumper in particular, being mounted to the tailgate, would never make it, as our standard called for a 5 mph shunt with zero damage to the bodywork. Aside from that, the interior looks a lovely place to be. As always, so well presented and full of information, you do a fantastic job of reviewing the car. Well done, Steph.

  • @htimsid
    @htimsid Před měsícem

    Un véritable tour de force ! À juste titre, Voiture de l'année 1971.

  • @gaufrid1956
    @gaufrid1956 Před měsícem +7

    It was good to see the estate version of the original Citroen GS, Steph. I guess the reason they didn't make the saloon a hatchback was that they had the practical estate already. I've never owned a Citroen (they weren't common in Australia), but I've always loved how different they were.

    • @davidjames2910
      @davidjames2910 Před měsícem +2

      With the GSA it finally was a hatchback.

  • @michaelmccann4706
    @michaelmccann4706 Před 19 dny

    My first car was a 1970's GS in 1985 when I was 17. I was ridiculed by my friends, I didn't care , I loved it.

  • @kevinmaynard9561
    @kevinmaynard9561 Před měsícem +3

    The blank section near the clock is where the rev counter is on higher spec models, that’s why the click can’t be any bigger

  • @basvanderhoek9293
    @basvanderhoek9293 Před měsícem

    we had one in Spain for over 30 years. Best car ever

  • @gileshalliwell3591
    @gileshalliwell3591 Před měsícem +3

    Yes, they had wanted to fill the gap in the range but work only truly started on the project in 1968! In two years they had this! Best car ever…

  • @drd6416
    @drd6416 Před měsícem +4

    I fondly remember these. Magic carpet ride.....sensitive brakes and that revvy flat 4..... the one my friends dad had gorgeous jaeger clocks. Strange heating set up and the radio between the seats! Lovely examples all the same

    • @Mortimer50145
      @Mortimer50145 Před měsícem

      My dad once ripped a packet of peanuts that he was trying to open while driving (yes, very naughty - he shouldn't have been doing that while driving!) and they all fell into the cassette slot of the radio. When he got home, it was my job to pick all the peanuts out with a pair of tweezers :-( That was the problem with the vertical cassette slot - a lot of crud accumulated in it.

  • @Dhira108
    @Dhira108 Před měsícem +1

    Citroen of old made so many memorable cars, loved how quirky they were and real fun to drive.
    Sadly lost in the cross platform bland modern cars of the Peugeot Citroen group
    As always a beautiful video lots of info with your unique personal touch

  • @dungbetel
    @dungbetel Před měsícem +1

    My dad had a GSA in the 80s, a lovely, comfortable car to drive, albeit with a bigger engine than the GS. Took it around northern Italy on holidays and it really surprised me with the way it ate up the miles.

  • @Ltee28
    @Ltee28 Před měsícem +2

    I'm not sure if it was the case with this earlier car, but on my parent's gsa, it was possible to raise the ride height manually. It made it great fun going down rough tracks. Great video!

    • @philiptownsend4026
      @philiptownsend4026 Před měsícem

      I have one just like this one in the video and yes the suspension could be raised to the top of it's travel which made jacking very fast and easy.

  • @bobwalsh172
    @bobwalsh172 Před měsícem +2

    Wow - so glad you managed to track one of these down. They were remarkably effective vehicles for their era, and pretty much everything about them worked really well.
    I just knew that you'd love it!

  • @skippytheaustralian9438
    @skippytheaustralian9438 Před měsícem +2

    Hi Steph,
    today this channel became my favorit Automotive-channel.

  • @2011robertw
    @2011robertw Před měsícem +1

    My parents has a GS estate in the late 1970s. Citroen introduced a 1220cc engine non the GS in around the mid 1970s.. Superb car.

  • @johnpritchard2772
    @johnpritchard2772 Před měsícem +1

    Hello Steph, my personal thoughts are these; a "TYPICAL" French car, very comfortable, a bit complicated with the suspension, and a "qwerky" on the instruments and controls. This does not take away / lessen the qualities for the handling and driving experience = wonderful!! Best wishes from Lincolnshire

  • @Rlee571
    @Rlee571 Před měsícem

    My Dad had an identical looking GS 1220 new in Ireland. It was a phenomenal car that towed the family caravan, 4 kids and a dinghy on the roof on our holidays

  • @mbrettharris5168
    @mbrettharris5168 Před měsícem +1

    Love the video! I was watching the speedometer and through you were absolutely flying down those narrow winding roads, then I realized it was in KPH 😆

  • @graemew7001
    @graemew7001 Před měsícem +1

    For my needs, had we been back in the day now I would have bought one of these without thinking and in the estate version you're testing here. I don't need the estate particularly but I'd have bought it for the looks and extra practicalilty, that's a lovely little car, thanks for the test Steph.

  • @danhubert-hx4ss
    @danhubert-hx4ss Před měsícem +1

    This car feels modern because it is modern. Stunning condition, very desirable motor even today.

  • @Edwards_second_channel
    @Edwards_second_channel Před měsícem +5

    Very cute! Love the GS, cool cars! Love the recent content! Keep up the great work, and have a great day!

  • @CalculatorObsessed
    @CalculatorObsessed Před měsícem

    A truly brilliant but underrated car. Brings back lots of happy memories.

  • @oliverlotus
    @oliverlotus Před měsícem

    Loved my dad's GS and two GSA estates. The RHD GS had a different dash and clocks. Sorry, you mentioned this. Great vid.

  • @grahamrich3368
    @grahamrich3368 Před měsícem

    Excellent review of a unique car! How I miss seeing the GS and GSA!

  • @noellegunning3301
    @noellegunning3301 Před měsícem

    My parents had one of these cars back in the 1980s. Beautiful comfortable car.

  • @kevthedynamo
    @kevthedynamo Před měsícem

    I still remember getting a lift in the back of a GS Pallas when I was about 10 years old. I was impressed with the way that the car seemed to be floating on air.

  • @colnuttall9035
    @colnuttall9035 Před měsícem +1

    Citroen had a particular view of how motor cars should be. It always struck me as eminently sensible, as well as being art. What a shame they were taken over, however Renault has been great with them. The SM is the most elegant car. I live in Australia and have owned a Mercedes Benz W126 380SEL for many years, which I love, but I lsecretly ong for an SM or a DS. However I did enjoy a Citroen Xantia turbo as a work car for a while. Great video Steph, you get more knowlegable and more teck savvy with each episode. Well done.

  • @emmanuel52945
    @emmanuel52945 Před měsícem +1

    Waouw , my great father got two GS , white ones . The first one was a 1015 cc , the second one was a 1220 club , the both in white colour . They was not as powerful enough as we often regret , but so much confortable car , really . They was fantastic cars if you were not in a fast mood 😅

  • @rjft7003
    @rjft7003 Před měsícem

    It's one of my childhood cars. My auntie had one from 1973, a GS Club built in Mangualde, Portugal, where the 2CV ended its career. The high-end versions had a revolution counter next to the clock. There was also a peppy version called the GS X3. Very nice review and a real trip down memory lane. 😊

  • @RogerWhittle-z3w
    @RogerWhittle-z3w Před měsícem

    Lovely review of a lovely car Steph. Lovin' your work! I had a 1015 GS in Australia, then a 1015 estate in the UK, followed by a 1220 Bassalte and a CX Safari. I really miss old Citroens.

  • @allanmollison6971
    @allanmollison6971 Před měsícem +4

    Excellent video Steph 😊👍

  • @andyrobertshaw9120
    @andyrobertshaw9120 Před měsícem

    Great video! I love the way the speedo numbers change from orange to green when you hit 40 km/h.
    I have said this before - I believe part of the function of a minimally attached steering wheel is for safety. Before the days of airbags, or even seatbelts, one could be thrown forward at the steering wheel, in the event of an accident. This could hurt, so a minimally attached steering wheel break off when hit with force, to avoid hurting the driver quite so much.

  • @tompetery8779
    @tompetery8779 Před měsícem +1

    Thank you for taking the time to do this review. One day would love to hear what your top 10 favourite cars are to own.

  • @ColumbusII
    @ColumbusII Před měsícem

    Thank you for this wonderful vid.
    We enthousiast need to thank Robert Opron for his designs.
    May sound crazy, but to me the GS(A) has such a perfect shape. And the dashboard how beautiful ❤
    Although working for another French brand, I love Citroën.
    Merci 🇫🇷

  • @OldcarsNmusic
    @OldcarsNmusic Před měsícem

    I like how the French push the rear axle back farther in the chassis, so the rear seat passengers aren't sitting dead over the axle.

  • @alpine1600s
    @alpine1600s Před měsícem +1

    The single spoke wheel was also to flex easier in in collision. Theoretically.

  • @uhn100
    @uhn100 Před měsícem

    Hi Steph I have owned many Citroens one of my favs was the GSA Pallas perfection for me best regards Andy Allen.

  • @davidsheppard-x7w
    @davidsheppard-x7w Před 3 dny

    I love these cars.

  • @philiptheunismuller6165
    @philiptheunismuller6165 Před měsícem

    Fantastic review Stef,this gs cars were my favorite daily drivers,i was lucky to have three in south africa, wish i could keep my cars❤❤

  • @seancarritt2438
    @seancarritt2438 Před měsícem

    Thanks so so much for this lovely review on this GS. Totally agree with you in every way that cars of today just do not have the same class of quality anymore which is really sad.
    It was truly lovely to meet you. I was the guy that spoke to you with the Rustival shirt on and South African accent..
    I was also in the dark grey berlingo behind you while you were filmingheading towards Huntingdon 😉. Only realised it was you by time you got to Huntingdon roundabout. Would of gladly done some filming for
    You from behind and sent you the footage to add in 😃.

  • @PaulCunningham-sf5pu
    @PaulCunningham-sf5pu Před měsícem

    I used to love the citroen BX amazing cars

  • @rogersmith5167
    @rogersmith5167 Před měsícem

    I had a GS Club 1220 and I thrashed that car mercilessly I had a race with a French guy from Arras to Paris he had a Peugeot 504and he could not shake me off but the floor was hot because the air outlet for the air cooled flat four used go against the bulkhead. I sold it and bought the GS Pallas.

  • @johnscarsandstuff
    @johnscarsandstuff Před měsícem

    That was a great review of a criminally under represented car. It looked like an immaculate example and seemed to go very well.

  • @James-ld2jc
    @James-ld2jc Před měsícem

    Haven't seen a GS in years. Such a great car, I would love to have a drive in one

  • @narglefargle
    @narglefargle Před měsícem

    Nice car--and a pleasant surprise to see some of my childhood stomping grounds, too! I haven't been out that way in a VERY long time, but it definitely looked familiar...and as soon as I saw the sign for Abbots Ripton and Wood Walton, I knew EXACTLY where you were.

  • @josephmifsud8261
    @josephmifsud8261 Před měsícem

    A lovely little car. The single spoke wheel is a lovely part, and the dashboard looks so futuristic and cool, particularly the cyclops speedo

    • @Mortimer50145
      @Mortimer50145 Před měsícem +1

      It's a good idea to have a single spoke steering wheel, in terms of giving a better view of the dashboard, but I found my arms/hands got more tired because there was no horizontal spoke to rest my little fingers on when my hands were at 10 to 2 in normal driving, so my hands tended to slip downwards gradually. In a modern car, that central horizontal spoke is used for all sorts of cruise control and hands-free phone controls; I wonder where Citroen would have put all those if they still used a single-spoke wheel on a modern car ;-)
      Steph didn't mention the non-self-cancelling indicators. I liked those. I find that normal indicators cancel themselves too easily - eg approach roundabout indicating right, steer slightly left to enter the roundabout and indicators cancel, so you have to hold them on while trying to steer. My first Renault 5 was terrible for that - the self-cancelling mechanism was too sensitive.

  • @craigcottingham35
    @craigcottingham35 Před měsícem +1

    These vehicles have beautiful suspension 😍

  • @TerryMilesPiano
    @TerryMilesPiano Před měsícem +1

    Fab Video ... All The Boogie Best. Terry 🤠

  • @paulchenery8013
    @paulchenery8013 Před 28 dny

    A great review. My dad had one of these, with the 1222(?) engine. I also like the CX.

  • @kevinleonard1375
    @kevinleonard1375 Před měsícem

    Very nice review, you are very pleasant to listen to

  • @martinneumann7783
    @martinneumann7783 Před měsícem

    Lovely! Thanks for this video, Steph…
    🚗💨🇫🇷

  • @stevie2nw
    @stevie2nw Před měsícem

    Drove one of these in the early 70's-great car, supremely comfortable and very lively for a relatively small engine.handling was superb -only thing I didn't like was the handbrake!

    • @Mortimer50145
      @Mortimer50145 Před měsícem

      On the right-hand drive version they hadn't localised it properly, so the release button was under your little finger. On the LHD version, using your other hand, the button would have been under your index finger. Dad found the best way around this was to turn his hand over (ie palm upwards rather than downwards) to put his index finger next to the button. Ideally, the RHD version would have had the handle turned over or a mirror-image version used.

  • @iansutherlandcraig
    @iansutherlandcraig Před měsícem

    A friend’s dad had one. I loved it.

  • @TheSoundsnake
    @TheSoundsnake Před měsícem

    Fantastic cars! As a child, my parents had a GS Special break, similar to this one but it was sort of the Mk2 version, the later one with the 1129 engine and round dials (continental LHD). After that came 2 GSA’s break with the 1299/5 speed. In total 230000km within 5 years, mostly driving it quickly but gently, so you hardly noticed the speed.
    The little clock in this dash looks right when you have a more luxurious version with a rev counter (very pretty design).

  • @DonC1965
    @DonC1965 Před měsícem

    Great video as always. I love seeing you review cars that were not widely available in the USA. I see a Citroën GS in your future!

  • @auntbarbara5576
    @auntbarbara5576 Před měsícem +1

    I adore French cars 👌🏽🇫🇷

  • @emjayay
    @emjayay Před měsícem

    Now do a GSA with a completely different and insane dashboard and controls! (I'm sure they worked well once figured out.)

  • @davidrumming4734
    @davidrumming4734 Před měsícem

    Very special car.
    They were way ahead of their time…tho trying todo it using old technology.
    Eg trying to create a digital dashboard using analogue technology.
    I saw the GSA on Ian’s channel…..I actually think this older version seems some how more refined.

  • @user-ii2om3jj1q
    @user-ii2om3jj1q Před měsícem

    I have to say the model was a great idea and everything about it should have been perfect. BUT it just would not start after standing for more than 8 hours and would require a tow start. Went back and forth to the garage to no avail. So I had to set an alarm for the middle of the night so that I could start the car let it run for a minute or two then back to bed just so I wouldn't be late for work the next day. I was much happier with it's replacement, a Maxi 1750.

  • @hectorshouse7348
    @hectorshouse7348 Před měsícem

    When I drove one of these she just wanted to go…you did well keeping her at low speeds.

  • @alanground-xq4wb
    @alanground-xq4wb Před měsícem

    The rhd British 1220 cc saloon version had a far superior dashboard with analogue instruments in a metal effect background.the boot was perfectly square and lined.

  • @malakiblunt
    @malakiblunt Před měsícem

    the reason the brakes are so light is not because of 4 discs - but the hydraulic power they are literaly power brakes your foot just operates the valve - unlike almost all other road cars-

  • @amiq8748
    @amiq8748 Před měsícem

    Quite enjoyable narration.

  • @rickcollin5600
    @rickcollin5600 Před měsícem

    Great review, as always. I know you've driven a CX already but if you've never done so, you absolutely must drive a DS citromatic. I bet you'll like it.

  • @martinclapton2724
    @martinclapton2724 Před měsícem

    Fabulous Citroen very advanced car in their tradition

  • @fifthager
    @fifthager Před měsícem

    My Dad bought a brand new Pallas 1,015cc in 1972 at my insistence, having seen it raved about in Car magazine. It was underdeveloped. They got the difficult things right but must have left the basic details for the apprentices. The valvegear soon got noisy as the cam followers/rockers wore rapidly. Citroen's fix? "Lower-rated valvesprings", actually the same double springs with the inner coil thrown away. It didn't like to start in cold weather, the inboard disc brakes vibrated horribly as you came to a stop and the turbine-smooth but weedy engine, made small capacity because of French taxation rules, let it down. The ride though was brilliant for a smallish car. Suspension development on cheapish cars stopped in the 1970s.

  • @alansharp1528
    @alansharp1528 Před měsícem

    Another great vid thanks Steph. Happy memories of my Citroen years.

  • @johnnyboy1586
    @johnnyboy1586 Před měsícem

    Alway loved citroen cars,such great designs an uniqueness 😊

  • @philiptownsend4026
    @philiptownsend4026 Před měsícem

    Great video, brings back memories of my exactly the same car except mine was the UK version. It was an excellent car and could cover long journeys in great comfort. Could a modern 1 litre car do that?

  • @Mike-pi6pu
    @Mike-pi6pu Před měsícem

    Best car l ever owned bar none. Yes the estate was the best version. Hilariously, your average car mechanic went a bit nesh around them back in the day, but they were easier to work on than most British cars. Sadly, mine died of terminal tin worm. Memory says the indicators didn’t self-cancel and a centre console used to mount the radio. Another highlight is just how clever that suspension really is, from a rarely used up a bit setting for really rough roads at v.slow speed to an up a lot setting for changing a wheel that saved jacking it up.

  • @johnf3326
    @johnf3326 Před měsícem

    Love my Citroens: Visa petrol, Visa diesel, BX diesel, Berlingo.

  • @emjayay
    @emjayay Před měsícem

    Scattering the heater/vent controls all over the place in three different locations with three different actions is pure Frenchness.

  • @mattw8332
    @mattw8332 Před měsícem +1

    Gorgeous design.😍

  • @robredz
    @robredz Před měsícem

    Always liked the GS it doesn't look dated really even today only real issue was low gearing as in 15mph/1000rpm on the 1015cc engine.with the 4 speed gearbox but it would still get past 90 mph at 6000 rpm the early dash in UK models looked sporty with a speedometer and tachometer, needed given the desire to rev and smoothness of that flat 4.

  • @christopherhunter2892
    @christopherhunter2892 Před měsícem

    A fabulous car. When you think what else was around in 1970 , this car was so futuristic . An air cooled flat 4 boxer that was actually quite quiet. A fantastic boot. The model lin the video does not show the tacho fitted to French cars which was above the clock. The development costs of this car and the SM bankrupted Citroën and Peugeot pounced. Sadly modern day Citroëns ‘ are just not the same.

  • @shauntvr4312
    @shauntvr4312 Před měsícem

    Used to have 1984 bx 1.6 love that car

  • @marcbrasse747
    @marcbrasse747 Před měsícem

    Nice description. Very knowledgeable! Thanks for the ride.

  • @lucythemoggy1970
    @lucythemoggy1970 Před měsícem

    steph, vauxhalls of the 80s had a squeaky clutch pedal!

  • @stephenport4768
    @stephenport4768 Před měsícem

    Glad you've done a review of a GS got to do one of an SM

  • @BobAbc0815
    @BobAbc0815 Před měsícem +1

    Many innovative Cars turn out to be Lemmons, fortunately this one became a Citroen.

  • @user-pl7sf9qm9o
    @user-pl7sf9qm9o Před měsícem

    O
    I owned two; a GS Pallas passed on to me from father and a GSA Break later. Both sadly succumbed to rot but being near the sea wasnt a surprise. Later had a BX and a CXGti so i guess you could call me a fan.

  • @StuartJones-hl4sw
    @StuartJones-hl4sw Před měsícem

    My mum had a GS X3 from 1980 with the 5 speed box and the 1299cc so it did precede the GSA slightly

  • @stevenlawrie7819
    @stevenlawrie7819 Před měsícem

    My first car was a 1976 GS Club 1220cc in Cornflower blue.

  • @zocc116
    @zocc116 Před měsícem +1

    yes, the handbrake is the ultimate safety feature against stealing :) and also, there is NO car as comfortable as a gs.

  • @terryroberts505
    @terryroberts505 Před měsícem

    Had a 1974 gs1220 back in 1982 they did go will my mate had a 1600gt Capri and I could keep up with it. but at the time people was frightened of the technology and you couldn't give them away....

  • @artistinbeziers7916
    @artistinbeziers7916 Před měsícem

    Steph - superb presentation, as always. I loved the GS - sadly never travelled in one. Citroën - always deliciously quirky, were masters of this, and here I just love the window on the rear hatch, the way it curves into the roof-line at the very top. About the 'cyclpos' (no surprise that it was too 'risqué' for the UK market! Boring!) am I correct therefore in assuming the speedometer and counters are in kilometres? I would guess they would be?

  • @Lee-cz6ss
    @Lee-cz6ss Před měsícem

    Looks as good now as it was back then , my Brother had a White 74
    Hatch in 1982 , it was starting to go around the body a little but still looked way ahead of anything else
    At the time , lovely Boxer engine ,
    80 on the Motorway was easy ,
    Sadly we went Clubbing for my 19th Birthday ( 41 years ago now ..Christ on a Bike! ) He got stopped by a Copper on a pushbike for a light - out , most would have driven away ,,,no tech back then to trace you , but he got
    Done for being 3 mill over the limit , I've felt guilty ever since as he had to sell the GS for a 12 month Train Subscription!
    200Kid

  • @anthonytallarida4192
    @anthonytallarida4192 Před měsícem

    I don't think I've even seen one in Australia Step, but we'll presented

  • @daverees9344
    @daverees9344 Před měsícem

    The space near the clock would have a rev counter on other models [mine did] Which was strange like the speedo is Mine was a left hander imported from Spain

  • @imSatnav
    @imSatnav Před měsícem +1

    These were great cars. But sadly after three years they were worth the square root of bugger all. I used to sell Citroens in the early 80s and if Joe Cannybody turned up to part ex his slightly used GS we would run and hide.
    And yes before you ask I used to have a 2CV as my company smoker.

  • @user-ix4wn1th5m
    @user-ix4wn1th5m Před měsícem

    Very nice Citroen GS Estate. I preferred the Estate to the saloon. It's in good condition.

  • @Vince_uk
    @Vince_uk Před měsícem

    Nice one Steph as always.