Citroën

In August 1970, the Citroën GS was launched. It filled the gap in Citroën's range, between the small 2CV, Dyane and Ami economy cars on one hand and the luxurious DS executive sedan on the other. On its launch, its main competitors in the most profitable, high volume market segment in France included the Renault 6, Peugeot 304, Fiat 128 and Ford Escort. In September 1971, a four-door station wagon was added to the range. A two-rotor version was launched in October 1973, called the Citroën GS Birotor. It featured a much more powerful 1,990cc Wankel engine. The Birotor cost as much as the larger Citroën DS and 70% more than the standard GS. Since it was not economical for its size and was launched at the exact start of the 1973 oil crisis, the Birotor version achieved poor sales and was quickly pulled from the market, after 847 units were sold. The sales were so disappointing that Citroën attempted to buy back and scrap each Birotor, as it did not want to support the model with spare parts. A few of these remarkable vehicles have nonetheless survived in the hands of collectors.

1970

1971

1974