1986 Citroen GSA - My new car! A closer look and on-board drive footage

[@mattw8332]

I'm so thrilled that you bought a GSA! I wish that Citroen still made interesting cars like this.

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

The French have lost all courage.

[@zugbug1986]

A classic HubNut car in the fact that not much works. Fun times.

[@garynew9637]

Haha

[@ianashton886]

Had an L reg GS Club years ago and it was one of the best cars I ever owned. Good performance, superb brakes and handling. As it had the hydropnumatic suspension I used to have great fun raising the car at traffic lights and watching the expression on the faces of the people behind me. Thanks for posting the video, brought back a lot of good memories.

[@allthekingshorses7178]

Citroëns from the early 80s were always a bit left field, but still superior and more interesting than equivalent cars of the time

[@Buck3366]

Absolutely bonkers car with a dash that looks like Darth Vader’s shower controls. Very HubNut!

[@brentfairlie9159]

Brilliant comparison

[@cambs0181]

Looks more 80s than Grace Jones!

[@binnybuzz]

Pwahahaha...nice one

[@mpjhonselaar]

⁠@@cambs0181 Grace Jones drove a CX in the clip of SLAVE TO THE RHYTHM

[@lash9400]

You gotta love how Citroen places the handbrake where the radio normally lives and radio where the handbrake should be

[@goyadressunofficial]

The Peugeot 405 (last Pug we got in the States) put the radio there too.

You think that's weird! If you look at the engineering side the pistons are where 5th gear should be and naturally 5th gear is driven directly from the crank shaft!

@@goyadressunofficial No they didn't. The radio was in the same place as for the rest of the world as was the handbrake where it was in all other market versions.

[@goyadressunofficial]

@ It was at my local Peugeot dealer. Maybe it was some sort of dealer conversion. Keep in mind that we only got the first generation of 405s before they withdrew from the US market.

[@Uzeless]

...until your cassette deck fills with junk ;)

[@gibboian]

I had a 1982 GSA Pallas for 5 years and really enjoyed it. You quickly learn to rotate your hand for the hand brake. I had forgotten about the brakes... utterly brutal. One of the camshafts went on mine and the doors used to fly open due to dodgy locks (look out for the barrel coming out with the key). The interior was beautiful and all my electrics worked fine. Im looking forwards to this.

[@phillipjones3439]

I had one of those. It went like stink. That engine is a gem. You will enjoy that car. Less said about the rev counter the better!

[@phillipjones3439]

@Jack Beanstalk The escort 1.3 was only 57hp just shows you dont need all this power to have fun. I had a Nova 1.4SR with just 73bhp and it was more than adequate. Wish I still had it.

[@flothchtronk2068]

@Jack Beanstalk 65, to be correct.

[@flothchtronk2068]

I've got a 1976 with a 1300 GSA engine and yes it's surprisingly fast. The only issue I have is the 4 speed GS 1220 gearbox, it's a bit too short and fitting a 5 speed is difficult.

[@stuwhite2337]

Totally agree with Phil. I grew up with Alfasuds and GSAs as a 17 year old. My 1.3 1980 GSA was much much faster than my 1980 'Sud ti.

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

Citroen should return to the hydraulic suspension, they've lost their USP

[@Perkelenaattori]

I actually have a facelifted Cactus with the new hydraulic cushion suspension and it's not that bad coming from a C5 III. It's kinda quirky and rather spacious for its size but Ian ruined it for me because it has a massive triangle of doom.

[@twogoonsonanadventure]

Perkelenaattori but no self levelling!! 😩

[@Perkelenaattori]

@@twogoonsonanadventure Well it's a compact crossover so it's higher than a regular car anyway and fortunately the people I have sitting at the back aren't horribly fat. I've actually learned to like my Cactus in the 1.5 years I've had it even though it's not quite as comfortable as my C5 III was. My C5 had 225/60/16 tires with the accessory double lamination so the evil sounds of the outside world were far and away when I sat inside it.

[@tonyduncan9852]

It is what Tesla Model Threes lack. There's nothing like a GS for gliding down country roads. A Tesla GS is what I want. Forget the beautiful flat four sound, and welcome in the silence.

[@Perkelenaattori]

@@tonyduncan9852 Model 3 has horrible sound deadening IMO. The interior noise level is worse than in several ICE cars.

[@stephenwarhurst6615]

I always like how French car markers always think out side of the box. and not copy what others are doing in the world when building cars

[@JoeBWall]

I had a GSA in the USA. Such a glorious car.

[@emjayay]

How did that happen?

[@zincpatriot7227]

Had one of these back in the 80’s, an x reg 81 gsa special. Superb, reliable, and quirky. People would give a sharp intake of breath, and in a voice of impending doom, tell me that when, and not if, the hydraulic suspension went wrong, then I would receive a repair bill similar to the national debt of a Central American country. Well, am happy to report that none of this ever happened, in 7 years and over 100 thousand miles of ownership, in fact, a mate down the pub was a mechanic at a Citroen dealership, and reassured me that in his knowledge, they had never had one of these in with hydraulic probs. All in all a great motor, happy days! Enjoy hubnut.

[@williamgreer4087]

That engine sounds lovely when you put your foot down, looks like it goes well for 66hp!

[@gryfandjane]

Splendid choice, Ian! I’m greatly looking forward to future episodes featuring the GSA. I’ve always been intrigued by Citroens, but they’re as good as invisible here in the States. Looks like the GSA is well-endowed with classic Citroen eccentricity, and I love that!

[@grenvillephillips6998]

A quirky little package + plenty of horizontal delight = je t'aime!

[@aaronbiggin1103]

It's thanks to you that I now have an uncontrollable need to buy an old or under appreciated car, my mate just doesn't get it and wonders why I don't want another supra ect. Love your content glad your back and still able to get on with things.

[@icascone]

Sooo quite! When you were stopped on side of the road I thought the car was switched off, but it wasn't!! I can't believe I like a loud car and a quite one, at same time lol

[@PedroConejo1939]

I turned my handbrake upside down. You get the screws at the top but the button is on the right side then. Easy job. Also swapped the entire interior with a Pallas. Best car I ever had.

[@HighSockDavid]

Greetings from America I have never seen this car before and I love it

[@Soccerates]

I'm fascinated by this car. I hope it is a good find for you and welcome back to the UK!

[@jfv65]

Boxer engines have inherent perfect mechanical balance , that's why they sound and feel so smooth at higher revs.

[@danuk2005]

I used to have one of these as my first car after I passed my test in 1993. It served me well for a couple of years. It was given it by someone I knew. I used to love playing with the suspension.

[@zincpatriot7227]

Had one of these back in the 80’s, an x reg 81 gsa special. Superb, reliable, and quirky. People would give a sharp intake of breath, and in a voice of impending doom, tell me that when, and not if, the hydraulic suspension went wrong, then I would receive a repair bill similar to the national debt of a Central American country. Well, am happy to report that none of this ever happened, in 7 years and over 100 thousand miles of ownership, in fact, a mate down the pub was a mechanic at a Citroen dealership, and reassured me that in his knowledge, they had never had one of these in with hydraulic probs. All in all a great motor, happy days!

[@adampoll4977]

I remember the first time I drove a GS. A friend loaned it to me to pick up my girlfriend with the parting words, "And don't crash it!" I then promptly backed it into an RX7. I blame him, of course, for his negativity causing it all to happen ;)

[@promerops]

Back in 1981 I had the standard GS (conventional instruments and minor controls, 1220cc) as a company car - for just a few hours. It had been a hack at the Durban office of the firm I was working for; it had then been allocated to me and I was driving it back home to Mbabane Swaziland, now Eswatini. Just the other side of the border and driving on gravel I had an accident and wrote the GS off. Up until that moment I had really been enjoying the car, I thought it delightful, especially on long, fast bends. Pity, I could have seen myself very happy with the GS. I wish you all he best with yours and shall be following developments with interest!

[@robertngreen6]

A great choice of an unusual car. It's great to see how much you love it. Look forward to following progress with this along with the rest of the fleet!

[@robc5955]

Bodywork looks amazing, I remember seeing these lined up outside a now gone Citroen dealer at the bottom of our road when I was a kid ready for the 1st Aug reg change (they were parked in a way that meant they were slightly protruding over the pavement) sometime in the early 80’s always thought they looked so different compared with other stuff - in a good way.

[@dlittlester]

I think you chose well. That car looks so comfortable and drives so nicely. And so quiet. I'd love a car like that.

[@gregorstuder606]

A GS1220 green metallic was my very first car. It was a little more conventional inside with brown vinyl. Very sweaty but so stable on the road. What a suspension! Lovely to see your GSA.

[@andrewmoorhouse687]

Remember driving that road when we came to the Internal Fire Museum of Power. Good times. Enjoy the GSA. Really interesting car of the type that just don’t exist new anymore, sadly. A CX would be lovely too.

[@thomash2806]

I’m just about to buy a CX 1983 GTi with 43,000 km

[@brianiswrong]

You are a lucky man. I passed my test in my parents 1978 CX. I then went looking to buy a GTI, but alas all insurance companies had other ideas,so I had to get my Citroen fix by borrowing the CX when ever I could.

[@Destroyhamasscum]

Thomas how much do they go for

[@thomash2806]

pee20pee I think it depends how lucky you are and what condition they’re in as always. But for a reasonable runner anywhere between €3000 and €12000. Recently an exceptional one that once belonged to Erich Honecker was on sale for €80,000 in Germany if I recall correctly. They seem to be quite sought after in Germany.

[@christiaandockers3755]

Yes do so! I own a GTI too. Awesome car.

[@peterrevens8454]

Hope it will turn out well for you. CX's are just beautiful. Still haven't forgiven Jeremy Clarkson for what he did to the stationcar...

[@SocksWithSandals]

I'm glad you've learnt to love again after saying goodbye to the Ford Fairmont.

[@silvervisage5096]

Absolutely beautiful car, Sir. Take good care of it. They don't make cars like these anymore. These cars had character. Now they all are basically computers on wheels which happen to look like an aerodynamic soap. Cheers!

[@Mariazellerbahn]

0:25 Press down (don't slice) with a Stanley blade and remove the peeling part of the stripe (inboard a couple of mm) and then get some modelling paint and a fine brush to paint the stripes freehand (or you can mask). The paint will seal the cut end of the strip and the paint won't lift in car washes like the pointy end of a stripe inevitably does. OR .... just cut the stripe as described at an angle and then leave it with a slightly shorter stripe with thicker ends than a previously tapering point that has little chance of staying stuck down. Whichever, don't cut into the black paint.

[@giannisantypas9316]

I used to drive a GS 1220 club. Hated it mercilessly back then, now I miss it so much.

[@MultiRay67]

In the 80’s i hated Citroen,now i love them.

[@TheSoundsnake]

Again, great thing! More trim clues: Special has an all black grille, a Pallas has side mirrors adjustable from the inside, Club and Pallas have interval wipers. A really Special mix!

[@MarkGelderland]

Fantastic! I owned a GSA Break for 3½ yrs in the early nineties, i remember how smooth the ride was. I even joined the GS/GSA club, i still have the club magazines. Black is a rare color for a GSA, it suits the car.

[@bonesdt4]

What an incredible looking car! Never seen anything like it before! breaking convention, I love it!!

[@mpkcleaningservices-cardet2835]

I had a friend in the 90’s who’s family were Citroen mad they had a Citroen GSA the only one I’ve ever seen in Australia it was a green metallic in colour never sold new here the GS was however Australians aren’t very kind to Citroen cars not very well received you may or may not of noticed when you were out here I’ve always wanted a Citroen my mother bought a DS brand new she still talks about that car fondly today and she is close to 80 now enjoy your new car Ian 😎

[@oneyelloweric]

nutty cit gsa advert tag at the time was " high speed 5 speed gsa" LOL

[@MCallsen]

Marvelous self-reflections on a relaxing drive at the end there :D

[@skodakatie7341]

I love the quirky styling, and hydraulic suspension set up on classic Citroën models.

[@TwinTowerTwo]

Amazing cars! I have a deep loving affection for all classic Citroen’s and Renault’s, but especially the GS and I love the interesting dashboard these have, it wasn't till I watched your video I realised the handbrake release is also on the dash 😏

[@simonlee8450]

Another excellent video Ian. Was very proud that I managed to get the word "thusly" into a report at work this week!

[@glynjones2540]

In 1984 we came so close to buying a GSA, violent orange with black interior. We can't remember why we didn't have it. A couple of weeks later the choice boiled down to Citroen Visa or Renault 14. Possibly wisely we took the Visa which was really nice, quiet despite the Douvrin engine and with a great ride. The satellite switchgear was fine once you got used to it.

[@Mark1405Leeds]

Fantastic car! I love them. Best of luck working on it. It was common in the 70s and 80s to see them abandoned on drives as people couldn't work on them or couldn't afford to pay for repairs!

[@olabergvall3154]

Memories... my dad had a white GSA X3 back in the day, with the black rear spoiler. Quirky but nice 🙂

[@jakobholgersson4400]

There's a definite charm about ordinary old cars. I recently drove a 1993 Toyota Corolla and I was taken aback by how fun it was to drive this 1,6l econobox. Just so much lighter than my Saab.

[@theheaterguyryan5052]

The interior is so space ship looking with that steering wheel and those gauages it is querky and cool.

[@ColonelJGHyde]

Love your new car! Funnily enough I am already drawing parallels with my 19 plate Black Cactus. Hope you enjoy and it serves you well.

[@joaobizarro7564]

My first car was a Fiat Uno MKI in 2002 and had the same style of light/wipers controllers... do i miss that car and all that coolness!!! :) Unfortunately new cars would never beat that. Thanks for your videos and channel! Top content here!

[@xqqqme]

Look at it this way, Ian: at least the headliner isn't sagging.

[@mattwalker4034]

Such a cool car. I remember getting lifts in my mates mums GSA, could not take my eyes of the dash

[@Endfloat]

Flat four for the win! This one definitely gets the Endfloat seal of approval! I love it!

[@argonautsuk]

You took me back in memory lane. We had a GS Special in the family 1.1 litre. We've cruised all Europe with it from Greece. Happy memories 😢

[@Alexgames801-k2k]

Great choice Mr Hub Nut, a true Citroën through and through. Looking forward to seeing more of this. 👍

[@nikolaivasilev7371]

I actually love the interior coloring of this GSA !!!

[@malcolmherbert5127]

Regarding your comment about the noisy suspension, I’m sure I once read somewhere that the fluid which transmits the forces throughout the system is also quite a good conductor of sound. My CX is somewhat similar, you hear the bumps and pot holes but usually don’t feel them. It’s a little disconcerting at first as you tend to associate the sound with a jolt, but that doesn’t materialize.

[@bernhardkuhn5676]

I love the way you enjoy a new car in your fleet, it's almost the same pleasure I feel when I buy one...! 👍

[@Bumper3D]

I've owned (and still do!) quite a few BX's and Xantias and once rode in a GS. It's on a whole other level suspension-wise compared to its younger siblings! If only I had the money, I'd love a GS or a CX.

[@davidlow1958]

One of the best tow cars I have ever owned , despite the small engine !

[@l.g.8028]

What a beautiful car you got! Pretty amazing technology

[@smoothmicra]

I'd be itching to do something with those seats in the front, the baggy velour looks horrible! Lots to repair, you clearly enjoy a challenge, good luck mate.

[@reconforsales7708]

Very underestimated car. An icon in the history of the automobile

[@PurityVendetta]

There's just something uniquely Citreon about that steering wheel. Love it 😍 That look on your face says you don't care if you might have overpaid a mite 😊

[@janoleschwarz2131]

Love it! CX and GS are the last Citroëns without McPherson, it's just not the same after that. Still nice having hydropneumatics in a BX, XM etc but it's not the REAL deal imo. My dad and his brothers were big Citroën Fans, i grew up surrounded by GSA, DS/ID, CX, BX, 11BL, a 16hp 2CV and played in various wrecks and organ donors that were rusting around in our sheds and garden. Once my uncle exported two CX Breaks and a trailer to Poland, in the early 90s - One pulling the trailer with the other car on it. Took a good while and a good amount of bakshish to cross the border :D Thanks for reviving these memories, I wish you all the best with that magnificent little piece!

[@paullacey3946]

I had a GS Estate in the 1970s, extraordinary car and very roomy, if rather under-powered. Changing the front brake pads was fun, involving removing the spare wheel and the heater box (they were inboard, either side of the gearbox).

[@olavstrand2491]

I believe the hub caps are from a GS series 2 Pallas and that the GSA either came with plastic hub caps or alloy wheels depending on trim level. Really nice car regardless :-)

[@typos1477]

No those hub caps were fitted to GSAs too - I have a brochure from the early 80s.

[@olavstrand2491]

@@typos1477Right, I stand corrected, at least for the early 80s. I'm quite sure that these hub caps were not fitted to the later GSA models though, at least not in my country. And the hub caps were introduced with the GS series 2 Pallas. The series 1 Pallas had a sleeker style hub cap in my opinion which I've fitted to my 2CV and that I spent a number of years getting hold of a decent set of.

[@wilicca99tokoroa51]

I had one 35 years ago. Fuel economy is about 7l/100km, which is average for its size in the 80s. Not very quick but because of good aerodynamics it will go 100mph. Getting in and out was a bit awkward but it was comfortable to drive. The biggest problem was that it was prone to rust.

[@Le_Rennais]

i remember seeing the CITROEN GSA COTTAGE estate and being in love with his beige color when i was a teen

[@andrewclark891]

I can see why the GSA makes a superb car, shame there isn't more around. Good choice sir!

[@CTX-wh5qu]

Great to see you home Ian. Loving the Citroen and loving the return of the West wales scenery even more.

[@NZBRG1]

Had a BX - loved it. Always wanted a GSA but very few good ones in NZ nowadays. Currently have a C4 VTR Coupe and a Jaguar X300 4 litre.

[@alfredsedgewick2184]

Out of curiosity, how common was the GSA in New Zealand? I don't believe I've seen one before (I live in Kaitaia)

[@NZBRG1]

@@alfredsedgewick2184 There were a few around in NZ but not common. Rust got most of them.

[@alfredsedgewick2184]

@@NZBRG1 It's a real pity Citroen didn't start properly rustproofing their cars til the 90s, always loved their models I inherited a BX from my great grandparents in 2020 and it lasted me until December last year when some stupid fool backed into me in a supermarket car park, bloody good car

[@davetong4225]

Great to see the new car. I've just put my Hub Nut sticker in my new car. A 2003 Volvo s60 also no rear wiper :(

[@stephenmiller7388]

Iv,e never had acitreon but had plenty of marinas best was the super six model went like stink collectors item now lol

[@terabyte1695]

i remember my brother in laws, very smooth car,always seemed relaxed, on the seat belts[ mot guy told me] you can spray them with silicone or polish and run a cloth up them and they should return normally, i dont about your GSA but my brother in laws brakes were sharp.

[@siraff4461]

Before going for the timing have a look at cleaning the carb/fuel system out. I remember those units pinking anytime there was rough fuel, old fuel or even if they got a little crud in them. Usually a clear out and some fresh petrol makes all the difference. It usually stops them bogging at the bottom of the rpm range too but thats a 50/50 chance - some of them just do that....

[@bigjohno242]

Our deputy headmaster had one of these in 1981 ! They’ve always been such a quirky cool car .

[@caw25sha]

You are the first person to ever use the words "deputy headmaster" and "cool" together ☺

[@lesrogers7310]

I'm loving the new steed Ian.

[@flothchtronk2068]

Congrats! It's a fantastic weird little car! It will probably drive you crazy in the beginning, because if you want to work on it, you'll have to think outside the box all the time. But when the work is done, you'll love it, it's so unique! If you're looking for parts, you should get in touch with Chevronic Centre in the UK, Daniel Engelhardt in Germany and GSAmi Service in France. The rest is available on eBay, Leboncoin etc.

[@garrymartin6474]

I enjoyed the run from Aberaeron , happy memeories . Your new car looks and sounds well !

[@richardsheil5289]

I suspect the squeaking you hear is front lower suspension arm bearings. They collapse and it doesn't show up on MOT, because there is no play. Spark plugs are easy to change if you remove headlights, which is a 20 second job. The clips release by 90 degree turn anti clockwise and they go back in exactly same location so no problem with alignment. They seem to be easy on timing belts and don't seem to break often.

[@Robert-nz2qw]

Not read all 580 comments but my gut feeling is that it had the normal blue interior across the door sides and seats. The seats are clearly replaced, although brown on blue was a combination the French felt was normal. Also the hydropneumatic suspension is known to perform half badly and become clattery over small imperfections. It deals perfectly with large bumps

[@HubNut]

The original wishbone suspension is better over small bumps than the later strut type. I think there is something wrong with mine.

[@keithglaysher9201]

One of Citroen's good uns, camshafts used to get noisy if the oil changes got erratic. I remember the sales ads GSA going head on with 48 ton artics & driving between them after blowing out the O/S/F tyre, rather them than me!

[@rollingtroll]

It's weird how so many people dislike the gearchange on the GSA. To me it's the car with which I can shift gears quicker than with any other car. It somehow works with me. I never drove a GSA that doesn't have a lot of suspension noise, honestly. They always seem to rattle a bit. I'm sure it's not supposed to be like that, but it never seemed to be an issue. With our non-break we got 35mpg-ish. I personally like it a lot when the steering wheel is set with the single spoke to around 4 o'clock. That way you can rest your hand on it. Our GSA's both ran better on 95 octane than on 98. We could never figure out why, but you may want to give it a shot. Weird how both of our GSA's and your GSA have the same clutch squeak Comfort and waft in a small package; Visa, AX, BX, see a pattern here? 3500 pounds; For that money a service and timing belt would have been reasonable. Other than that, if it's rust free, it's a good deal. PTSCHOOOOO (someone's got to do it)

[@simonbarnwell7787]

I like it , i remember them being relatively common in my youth and always considered a bit special . I can see why you bought it as it's desirable and super rare now . I hope it doesn't give you too many trials and tribulations .

[@roverchap]

Nub Nut is back - driving quirky cars in the UK! Great car, Ian. Don't worry about 'over-paying' - we've all done it, when you want something. Fond mermories of my 1975 GS X 1222cc. Magic carpet ride and single-spoke steering wheel. Also had a BX14RE - fab car, plastic bonnet. Why are there so few BXs surviving, they sold well enough? There's more Rover P6s for sale today!

[@rydermike33]

Looks to be a very worthy addition to the HubNut fleet. Worked with a chap, many years ago, who had a wonderful white GSA. He finished up in Australia! Don't know what happened to the car.

[@martingordon8351]

Love the GS hubnut,not many left over here.

[@hedydd2]

Nice tour of the A487 between Henfynyw church Ffos-y-ffin, Aberaeron and Llanon, incorporating Aberarth. Should have stopped at the top of Morfa hill in the lay-by to show off the glorious view.

[@owensmith8467]

That sounds lovely, looks very smooth riding. Wish I'd bought one.

[@loftysaltmarsh69]

Thanks for driving with the windows up.....I can hear the engine better.

[@Trabant601L]

We had a BX station wagon, loved it. It is true that in these citroens is a lot of suspension noise. You feel it but hear it.

[@Trabant601L]

Sorry i mean you dont feel it

[@sas60che]

Once owned ( in fact twice ) a GSA. It has ALWAYS been my most favourite car because of its suspension, but unfortunately I had to sell both as they rusted away.

[@borderlands6606]

The boring Peugeot transverse engine was the basis of the BMW K-series motorcycles, I believe. They were placed horizontally in the frame, rather than vertically. Every time I've visited that particular Morrisson's car park it has been packed.

[@pauldavies6037]

I'm amazed how good the body work is most were scrapped years ago and had no second hand value just shows if you want one now how much you have to pay 3,500 wow and it needs a lot of minor repairs but they are something special

[@disleyade6123]

My first car (I got for free) was an Ami Super Estate - which I think had the same engine as the GS. That much power in a car not much heavier than a 2CV made for very good performance - and the brakes were excellent as well.

[@graemew7001]

Ung!.....brakes work Ian 😁. What a sweet relaxing car that seems to be to travel in.

[@ExAnimoPortugal]

That thing actually goes and sounds very good

[@Psymanbee]

With the windscreen.. my dad bought a Harley Davidson and the windscreen was scratched real bad. He got a bottle of stuff that is used by owners of light aircraft. That worked a treat.. hope this helps

[@merledoughty5787]

One place that many forget about rust is the front bumper area from experience the crush zone is foam filled and often hard to see. Still have a nice big Ford Falcon 4.1 auto station wagon sitting here in New Zealand a real keeper but a vehicle you would see so little of in the UK seeing how you loved your one during your time here

[@jamesward7425]

I really enjoyed that. I know nothing of this car, other than the fact that it seems perfect for you!