Citroën SM

The vehicle is located near Paris (France).

Presentation / History of the vehicle

The Citroën SM is an icon of the brand. Initially, the objective was to offer customers a sporty derivative of the DS. Known under the code name S, the project will become SM because of the rapprochement with Maserati. Revealed in 1970 at the Geneva Motor Show, the SM is a completely new car in the automotive landscape. Presented as a GT with front-wheel drive, it incorporates Citroën's advanced technologies, including the famous hydraulic suspension that provides high-level handling and stability. From a design point of view, the size is imposing. The very original rear window and the headlight ramp under the canopy make it an atypical model for its time.
Under the hood, the original Maserati V6 is equipped with four overhead camshafts. Three Weber carburetors feed the engine. On our 1975 Export model, the block develops 180 hp that allows the SM to exceed 220 km/h. The electronic injection is also present, which gives this model a better driving comfort and a lower consumption (between 10 and 12 liters per 100 km).

After good commercial performances at the beginning of its career, the SM sales dropped. The SM production ended in the middle of the 70's, the last examples being built in the Ligier factory.

The car offered for sale was registered in January 1975 in France. Its first owner, from Montpellier, took it with him when he moved to Madagascar. After ten years there, our SM returned to France, bought by an amateur from the Paris region. In 1987, it was sold to a restaurant owner from Grenoble who kept it for more than 20 years before giving it to a passionate dentist. Its current owner, the 5ᵉ, bought in 2019. An avid car enthusiast who has owned over 80 cars, he is now reluctantly parting with it due to a real estate project coupled with a change in life.

The vehicle has a French registration certificate, as a collection vehicle. It is offered with a very complete file of invoices, including its original delivery invoice.

An expert report has been requested in 2019, estimating our model at 65000 euros.

General condition

Our car is in a very good state of preservation. It has not been completely restored, an appreciated authenticity.
The vehicle does not show any corrosion. Some bodywork touch-ups have been done (see pictures).
Please note that, like many SM, our car has experienced reliability problems with its engine. The latter has been subject to a standard exchange at Citroën, with the associated reliability improvements, especially on the valves.
Currently maintained by a renowned specialist of the brand, Daunat Classique, our SM stands out from the pack as it has benefited from quality operations: complete review of the suspension, braking, cooling, … The ignition, a key point on this model, has been completely rebuilt, from the coils to the wiring harnesses.
The battery is new. The rims are new. The tires are new.

The interior is in very good condition. The buffalo leather has been kept with its patina. Contrary to what is visible on the pictures, the seats are not sagging (new upholstery). The equipment is functional, except for those mentioned in the defects section.

Work to be done / Defects to be reported

No specific work to be done. A big investment has been made by the current owner to have a vehicle in optimal condition (see excerpt from the invoices file in the photos).
The air conditioning compressor is functional but it has not been reconnected (Daunat Classic recommendation).
The rear defrost is broken and not repairable (known defect of the model).
The watch is not functional but a specialist who can repair it has been identified.
The saddlery deserves to be kept as it is but the leather would benefit from being redyed.
The radio is not original.

The minor defects reported on the last technical inspection have since been corrected.

Main equipment and options

Export version (180 hp)
Leather seats