Acquiring the GSA

I can still picture it: the first GS I ever saw, darting through the streets of Athens when I was a kid. The little family hypcar was incredibly popular, even if its prowess and innovative design flew under the radar back in the early ’70s. True to my penchant for the latest variants and series of most Citroën models, I soon found myself captivated by second generation facelifted GSA. Without getting into the purist debate between the GSA and the original GS, it is undeniable that the GSA arrived with some seriously cool upgrades. These include improved body panels, an even more aerodynamic profile, enhanced cabin ventilation, a super-practical hatchback, and a slightly punchier engine for a more engaging drive!

After a thorough six-month search, we finally got our hands on an X3. One of the most nail-biting moments when hunting for a used GS/GSA is peeking under the car and inside the boot lid for dreaded rust damage! The anti-rust protection from the 1970s and early 1980s was, let’s say, less than stellar, leading to some serious corrosion issues. It’s no wonder that so few of these models have survived. Luckily, we unearthed a third-hand 1984 GSA that was remarkably rust-free. Previous owners had clearly cared for it, even going further with an extra anti-rust treatment.

The X3 model stands out in the GS/GSA lineup, featuring the largest 1,3-litre engine (well, apart from that elusive Wankel Birotor). With 65 DIN horsepower—a solid 17% increase from the standard 55.5 of the 1.1-litre engine—it provides a burst of excitement on the road. Sure, that extra horsepower might seem modest, but at just 900 kg, coupled with stellar aerodynamics and a 5-speed gearbox, it results in a noticeable performance boost. Acceleration is sprightly, and I’ve personally seen it exceed 160 km/h on the speedometer. Honestly, who could ask for more?

Our GSA X3 came with 111 000 km on the clock and needed immediate tyre replacement and a new front left lower ball joint. Once those issues were sorted, we embarked on a fantastic 3 000 km adventure across Europe in just 48 hours! We only packed a spare fuel pump and four spark plugs in the boot, which turned out to be completely unnecessary. It wasn’t until after this exhilarating road trip that the car underwent a full inspection and servicing.

During this service, we seized the chance to replace the timing belt and clutch for good measure, while also refreshing all the vital fluids. However, we soon found ourselves replacing that shiny new clutch mechanism once again to eliminate the pesky vibrations triggered by imperfections in the first replacement—a common issue with GS clutches. We also replaced all five suspension spheres (including the brake accumulator) and the main hydraulic hoses to ensure everything was in top-notch shape. We finally identified a negative camber angle in the rear wheels, indicating worn rear-arm bearings, so those had to be replaced as well (check out the photos below). We fine-tuned a few additional mechanical details to ensure our GSA runs like a dream! This included swapping out the four bushes of the gear selector for a tighter, more precise gear change and upgrading the front anti-roll bar spring for optimal height adjustment.

 

 

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Now, with performance in check, we turned our attention to the aesthetics of this beauty. A few chips and minor dents around the rear doors required some local buffing and a fresh respray in the original colour. Once that was sorted, we dove headfirst into retrimming the interior. The plastic trim surrounding the roof and pillars had definitely seen better days, hardening and cracking in places, and finding second-hand replacements in decent condition turned into quite a quest. So, if you happen to stumble upon any, don’t hesitate to grab them—trust us, you might need them down the line! As for the seat upholstery, it was showing signs of age with some wear and sagging, so a replacement was essential. Thankfully, we unearthed a fabric that closely mirrors the original beige Jersey textile from our suppliers. The newly crafted seats and door panels resulted in a stellar match, as seen in the accompanying photos.