Rediscovering old flames: Taking a spin in the vintage Citroens that were my father's pride and joy
Reliving the Past: A Journey Through Citroën's Iconic Models
In a nostalgic journey, I recently had the opportunity to revisit two iconic vehicles from my youth: the Citroën Dyane and the Citroën GS. These models, produced by the French automaker during the post-1960s period, were instrumental in shaping Citroën's identity and the broader evolution of European automotive design.
The Citroën Dyane, launched in 1967, was a compact economy car designed to replace the 2CV and occupy the space between it and the Ami. With a hatchback design and a more angular body, it offered a modern and practical alternative within the small car segment. Despite its modest size, the Dyane was significant for updating the 2CV concept with improved comfort, better styling, and more versatility.
The Dyane's cabin is stripped of all but the bare essentials, with a pair of benches for seating. To start the Dyane, you twist the key and press a little red button beneath the top of the dashboard. The Dyane sips fuel like your grandma nursing a Babycham at a Christmas party, reflecting its economical nature. Interestingly, the Dyane was a car that could be repaired by independent Citroën specialists.
My father, who owned an equal number of Citroëns and Saabs, owned a Dyane with the registration mark XEL 32S. However, my experience of driving the Dyane was unsuccessful, as it failed to start and was pushed back into line. Nonetheless, I was given the chance to drive a different Dyane-6, which boasted a top speed of 71mph, an increase from the original 63mph.
The Dyane's handling, particularly when cornering hard, leans to comical levels, but the skinny tyres hold firm, enabling you to maintain terrific pace through a series of chicanes. Its speedometer displays an optimistic 130km/h (81mph), a testament to its spirited character.
The Citroën GS, on the other hand, was a more ambitious midsize model that combined innovative technology with aerodynamic design. Launched in 1970, it featured a hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension system, all-round disc brakes, and a unique dashboard design. The GS was comfortable, easy to drive, and offered an effortless experience, with a light clutch, smooth gearbox, and excellent brakes. The suspension smoothed out imperfections and made low-speed cornering enjoyable.
I was fortunate enough to drive a 1979 Citroën GS X3, which had a 1,299cc flat-four air-cooled engine. The GS offered a smooth ride, efficiency, and maintained Citroën’s reputation for innovation and unique design. My father, who currently owns three Citroëns and only two Saabs, had a GS with the registration mark LDY 935P.
Both the Dyane and GS have been scrapped. The GS was last taxed in 1984, and the Dyane in 1991. Despite this, their impact on Citroën's history and the automotive industry remains significant. The Dyane, with total sales of 1,443,583, although less than the 2CV's 8,756,688, played a crucial role in updating the 2CV concept and maintaining Citroën's competitiveness in the entry-level market during the late 1960s and 1970s. Similarly, the GS, with sales of around 2.5 million units, helped Citroën become the second-largest car manufacturer in France by 1972.
Together, these models demonstrate Citroën’s strategy during the post-1960s period to diversify its lineup: the Dyane updated the economical small car segment stemming from the 2CV legacy, while the GS expanded the brand’s presence in the more mainstream family car market with modern technology and design. Both contributed significantly to Citroën’s market position and to the broader evolution of European automotive design and engineering during the mid-20th century.
- Being enamored with the past, I recently drove both Citroën's iconic vehicles from my youth – the Citroën Dyane and the Citroën GS – produced in the post-1960s period, shaping Citroën's identity and European automotive design.
- The Citroën Dyane, debuting in 1967, filled the gap between the 2CV and Ami as a compact economy car, boasting a hatchback design and angular body for modern practicality.
- In the Dyane's cabin, only essential features exist, with benches for seating, and a unique start-up process that combines twisting a key and pressing a dashboard button.
- Different from my father's Dyane with registration XEL 32S, which failed to start, I drove a Dyane-6 that could reach a top speed of 71mph.
- Whether cornering hard or cruising efficiently, the Dyane's handling presents a lively character, boasting an optimistic speedometer display.
- In contrast to the Dyane, the Citroën GS launched in 1970, showcased innovative technology and aerodynamic design, elevating it to a midsize model.
- The 1979 Citroën GS X3, fitted with a 1,299cc flat-four air-cooled engine, offered a smooth ride and continued Citroën’s groundbreaking innovations and distinct design.
- As both the Dyane and GS have been scrapped, their impact on Citroën's history and the automotive industry remains unforgettable, showcasing Citroën's strategy to diversify its lineup and drive European automotive design and engineering during the mid-20th century.
