Rare Driving Impression …
I consider its ride especially rare due to its Hydropneumatic suspension. Driving over all those judder bars and pothole was such an addiction as much as passing other ordinary vehicles which inevitably had to slow down. The sensation was much higher elevation than those driving 1985 Peugeot 505 GR or 1971 Mercedes Benz W114 230 I6, the cars of the era was designed with more biased toward comfortable ride than merely performance handling. A contrast to new car today characterized by gas pressurized shock absorber which has a tad tendency toward jarring ride but to the benefit of poised control balance on much higher speed, a pre-requisite of driving characteristic on the Autobahn.
If I may add an undulating road was artistically transmitted to occupants on a 505GR, yet for GS it was rare “eerie” flying carpet sensation. And no matter how bad the terrain with the help of its Hydropneumatic the car simply rides over at level, or borrowing from Rolls Royce own phrase; waft along! Citroën’s own advertising went even further showing GS driving on mere 3 wheels to prove its exemplary levelling capability on certainly level road! I mentioned earlier this might accelerate its tyre’s life expectancy as a flat tyre did not evoke its driver’s attention immediately; the result was ruining this flat tyre. This had have happened to us more than twice! New set of tires was the direct risk every now and then should we were not careful enough.
Citroën’s idiosyncrasy
But on the brighter side jacking up the car was a simple turn of adjusting to the max height; tossing over jack and then lowering back the height to normal position. The GS had an unusual place for its OEM equipped Beltek radio cassette; behind the shifter right at where the parking brake supposed to be. Incidentally the parking brake is to the left of steering column for the right hand side driving car; similar arrangement as in Mercedes Benz W114, W123 and W124 (release lever only).
The French auto maker was known for its idiosyncrasy; single columnar steering wheel, push lever horn to opposite of; not self canceling turning lever, rear A/c condenser placement (It’s air cooled engine and it was impossible to put in the restrictive engine bay) and aerodynamic shape (other cars for the era were mostly squares). Yet the car was impeccable on its driving manner with its level of NVH in close resemblance to premium car at much higher sticker price.
It was such a joy to wheel spin on its first gear (at the cost of early retirement of front CV joint) and had high road holding for it was impossible to disturb its composure on a high speed abrupt turning (even on its skinniest tires). 180 degrees hand brake rally driving style turn was out of the question let alone provoking rear sideways; perhaps that is why it was my own beginner car (under strict parent’s choice of authority!). Alternatively I had to nick other cars for fun sideways driving style; in our Holden Belmont wagon or the dark Blue 1983 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 (easily provoke in rainy day!).
To this day I have not been able to master that hand brake provoked 180 degrees turn as my other mates could. In particular the chance was getting slimmer as once I ditched my mate’s Ford Falcon near my own home territory on a slippery evening at descending turn (sorry mate!). It cost me 6 bucks then to repair the damage, ouch!
Next: Leisure Drive on
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