1976 Citroen GS Pallas review from Slovenia

When I bought it, it had all the typical poorly maintained GS signs:

- leaky engine

- noisy exhaust

- whining wheel bearings

- alternator belt on its last strand

- empty suspension spheres with ruptured membranes (car is rock hard when this happens)

- LHM oil (for hydraulics) midnight black causing 'sticky' height correctors

- R U S T.

Three years ago I wrote a review of my first car, a GS 1015. A week later I bought another GS, which was far from perfect, but it was my favourite model (Pallas) with my favourite colour scheme (white with blue interior). After a lot of work done to it (mechanics, welding, repaint) and a lot of money spent I can finally enjoy the joys of good GS motoring. Comfort, reliability, style. 1220 engine has a lot of torque available from low revs and having a 5 speed GSA gearbox it allows the car to cruise at 130 km/h with minimum engine noise and excellent fuel consumption. Soft (with good tyres) steering and small turning circle makes it a great town car, and compared to bulky modern cars the visibility is superb because of all the glass and thin pillars.

In summer, sliding roof provides a flow of fresh air and a view of the stars.

Well, not everything is perfect : it can be tricky to work on and metal is quite rust prone and (on body panels) very thin. But, once you drive it you forget those things.