Citroën GS by Tristan Auer for Les Bains
50 years of the Citroën GS by Tristan Auer for Les Bains
Citroën and Les Bains are celebrating 50 years of GS with a one-of-a-kind version of the popular 2.5 millionunit sold sedan that Tristan Auer transformed for this anniversary. After its reveal at Retromobile 2020, Citroën GS by Tristan Auer for Les Bains arrived on March 12 in residence for 3 years at this prestigious address: 7 rue du Bourg L’Abbé in Paris 3rd.
The institution of Parisian nights since 1978 at the time of GS now offers its customers a unique experience aboard this star of the 70s and 80s for which the interior designer Tristan Auer had carte blanche.
With this transformation, Tristan Auer pays homage to people, comfort and design, values in line with Citroën. Passionate about the custom restoration of vintage cars, he has redesigned and enhanced this courtesy vehicle which will be made available to guests of the establishment located a few streets from the Center Pompidou.
For this metamorphosis, Citroën chose a 1972 GS 1015 Confort model.
Denis Huille, Citroën Heritage: “The restoration and the coordination of the transformation were carried out by the Citroën Heritage team, with in particular a total mechanical overhaul within the Citroën Conservatory. Under the artistic direction of Tristan Auer, it is also a complete refurbishment, interior and exterior, which was carried out with craftsmen: seats, dashboard, console, roof liner, rear parcel shelf, floor carpet, door trim , trunk, not forgetting the painting. »
Citroën GS, a well-deserved international reputation
After the launch of the SM, GS was presented at the 1970 Paris Motor Show, where it was the star. It won the prize for European car of the year in 1971. Its commercial success, with nearly 2.5 million units from 1970 to 1987 (including GSA) attests to the commercial success of this model which will achieve a commercial career leading.
The recipe for such success: a mid-range car (4.12 m long, 1.60 m wide, 1.34 m high, 900 kg empty weight), 5 seats, well suited to the needs of his time. Built in the Rennes-la-Janais factory in Brittany, the synthesis produced by its designers is ideal. The GS has a modern and aerodynamic style, an unprecedented 4-cylinder flat engine and a very studied living space. To top it off, it is equipped with the hydraulic suspension which gives it comfort and road handling that its competitors are unable to offer. A few other characteristics make it a model ahead of its time: the 4 disc brakes or its trunk volume of 465 liters (710 for the station wagon version). GS also has original features: its parking brake with a pull tab located in the center of the dashboard or its rotating speedometer in a skylight equipped with a magnifying glass.
Its long career will be punctuated by multiple changes in bodywork (estate, major restyling to become GSA) or mechanical (cylinder capacity, 5-speed gearbox, C-Matic transmission) and even an ephemeral version with a ‘Birotor’ rotary engine, built at 847 copies from 1973 to 1975.
GSA succeeded GS in 1979. The car adopted bulky plastic bumpers and a practical tailgate. It is also equipped with a ‘diagnostic’ socket under the bonnet which allows various adjustments and checks: battery voltage when starting up, angle and symmetry of the cams, idle speed, etc.
As the press mentioned at the time: “With GS, Citroën hit the bullseye”.
With its innovative line and design, added to excellent road qualities, the GS is emulated among collectors. In the galaxy of old Citroëns, the GS has elders and descendants who sometimes steal the show. But it does not have less loyal supporters who will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.
Source : Citroën communications
