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1970 Citroën GS



Grande Série (Athlète)

If you look at the 2 CV and ID 19 then the GS is the logical consequence. Without direct predecessor one changed the design of the large a little in direction of better use of space and has additionally given the slightly stripped hydropneumatics due to lack of integration of the steering.

It's interesting to compare the engine with the of the 2CV. Both were weak displacement Boxer engines, which came with a small stroke via a relatively high engine speed to some performance, the GS incidentally together with the relatively good aerodynamics also good for low consumption. The mounting position along the front axle was the same. The experts were surprised in 1970 more of the acquired blower cooling.

So seemed the only 2 years later introduced Alfasud also with front-wheel drive and Boxer engine with liquid cooling better equipped for the future. Citroen was once again up to its reputation, to be unconventional. Under these circumstances it was amazing how quiet the engine. The heating system was also better than said from air-cooled engines. An advantage was the slightly better weight distribution, but as to be permanent the concept did not succeed.

Of course, the GS was a typical Citroen with relatively high driving comfort and space. One may serve as evidence the completely flat luggage compartment, which had in this class none of its own kind together with the longitudinal link axle and narrow wheel arches. This was also due to the clever placement of the spare wheel in the front engine compartment.


Some getting used to, but typically were the loupe speedo and the centrally located handbrake. Later were still added so-called satellites left and right behind the steering wheel, with plenty of features, but e.g. without automatic turn signal reset. It is significant that there are no images available from this dashboard at Citroën. Critics said then, in this dashboard everything has been done differently, what is possible, except the steering.

There were also 'normal' fittings (pictures above).

Unfortunately, this car is said also the image of the bad working up especially in the body area. Why just the car shares with the Alfasud unfortunately not only the concept of the Boxer-front-wheel drive, but apparently insatiable corrosion susceptibility? New car buyers would have done well to subject the vehicle directly an extensive anti-corrosive protection, if not the brown plague would have been influenced through the selection of (lousy) sheet metal quality.

For other model developments as a classic car fan you can go back at least on the later model years, it is at the GS rather the opposite, the first two years of construction were to be less prone to rust. Also, it was difficult to name typical places with infestation with rust. In contrast, the mechanic was more a source of joy. This applied to the hydro-pneumatic and also for the drive trains with exception of a few 1300s. Even the axle drive shaft, known to be susceptible in this time did not show extremely wearing.

Actually a pity for such a remarkable car. Even the model upgrading seemed to go for years in the right direction. This included the modest increase in displacement, which made a little more independent from the high rotation speed level. Even the Citroën-typical characteristics, such as a magnifying glass speedometer including its surroundings temporarily disappeared and made place for better readable round instruments. Not to underestimate the value of the large hatchback for the limousine, including foldable rear seatback.

And success was inevitable. Citroën also achieved in Germany unusual numbers of registration. Overall, the car is sold more than 2 million times ...


A beautiful, now being rare, air-cooled boxer engine with four cylinders, each one toothed belt on each side, each one overhead camshaft and valve actuating via rocker arms. Nice, but later discarded by all manufacturers: internal disc brakes.

If you want to judge the suspension, then please have a look at the second video!









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