1983 Citroen GSA Pallas review from UK and Ireland

I got the car free with no MoT.

To pass the MoT, it needed new four (cheap) tyres, some welding, a new exhaust Y-pipe, some adjustment to the carb for the emissions test and a couple of lightbulbs. Oh, and the wiper linkage had broken, leaving only the passenger side one working!

Looks like a lot, but there were no nasty surprises - I knew what I was getting into when I picked it up.

I love these cars. I had a 1978 GS Club before, and really missed it.

All G-series cars are rare, technically interesting and wonderful to drive with smooth engines and that magic carpet ride quality. They also handle extremely well - they roll a lot, but keep on gripping.

They have extremely light and precise steering, and powered disc brakes. The car "feels" much safer and easier to drive than my modern - not bad for a design which appeared in 1970!

I didn't like the small boot opening and the lack of power in the '78 GS, but my '83 GSA has a hatchback and an enormous boot, and a slightly more powerful engine with better chosen gear ratios and, joy of joys, a fifth gear. I drove my GS to Italy in two days once - these are fabulous long-distance cars. Not bad for an old family saloon, and much better than the equivalent British Maxi or Marina!