Vehicle Description
Citroen's brilliant SM was born of a desire by Citroen boss Pierre
Bercot to offer a sporty DS-based car that could compete with the
Porsche 911. Over the course of development, several prototypes
were built using shortened DS platforms and various engines, but
due to an internal rift between management and engineering who
wanted to highlight the brilliant high-pressure hydraulic system,
the end result became something wholly different from a 911
competitor. The new car was less a sports car and more a luxurious
GT car comparable to a BMW CS coupe or Mercedes-Benz SL. Citroen
had already approached Giulio Alfieri of Maserati to design an
engine for the project, and by 1968, had acquired the ailing
Italian firm altogether. Maserati's Giulio Alfieri first supplied
Citroen with a 90 degree V6 that was, in essence, a Maserati V8
with two cylinders lopped off. This prototype was used to gauge
reaction within Citroen, and once the green light was given,
Alfieri started with a clean sheet of paper to design purpose-built
V6 engine for the new project. When the SM debuted in 1970 it was
no longer a lithe sports car, but a full-fledged grand touring car
with an exotic, 2.7L DOHC V6, front wheel drive, and a highly
advanced chassis. In typical Citroen fashion, the styling appeared
to be inspired by science fiction. The long sweeping body penned by
the genius Robert Opron featured wheel spats at the rear and
actually tapered like a teardrop when viewed from above. Headlamps
encased in glass were hydraulically adjustable and swiveled with
the front wheels on European models. The look was sleek,
aerodynamic and incredibly advanced in the best French Avant-Garde
tradition. The advanced chassis featured fully adjustable
hydro-pneumatic suspension, load sensitive four-wheel disc brakes
and fully powered, self-centering steering that allowed the car to
be set up with zero caster, thereby keeping the tires in full
contact with the road at all times and completely eliminating bump
steer. Passengers were cosseted in a luxurious cabin with rakish
bucket seats, metallic detailing, and an instrument panel fitted
with fabulous oval dials - including a speedometer that also showed
braking distance. A technical and stylistic masterpiece, the SM is
truly a car like none other. This 1972 Citroen SM is a very
attractive example of the breed, finished in the handsome shade of
Brun Scarab�e over a natural brown leather interior and presenting
in very good driver-quality condition. It is a desirable 5-speed
model with covered headlamps that was enjoyed regularly by its
previous owner who kept it as part of a large East Coast collection
of French and German automobiles. The light metallic color
highlights the striking shape which combines large sweeping
surfaces with sharply creased details, and this car does not
disappoint with its straight panels, crisp lines, and very good
gaps. The paint quality is quite good overall, with only a few
minor flaws doing little to detract from the otherwise attractive
presentation. Exterior detailing is quite good, with straight,
original bumpers, rocker panel decos, and stainless steel trim all
presenting in fine order. It rides factory steel wheels with
original styled-stainless wheel covers and shod with properly sized
205/65-15 Dunlop radials that give the right balance of ride and
handling quality. The futuristic interior is presented in excellent
original condition, with the natural brown leather seats in fine
condition, showing minimal wear. Carpets, headlining and door
panels also remain in very good original condition and the
signature brushed gold-colored console and instrument fascia inlays
are excellent, as are the original gauges and switchgear. An
aftermarket radio is fitted in the center console in its unusual
but factory-correct location at the driver's elbow between the
front seats. Overall, the interior is very well presented, having
been carefully preserved in largely original condition. At the
heart of the SM is Maserati's purpose-built 2.7 liter V6, which
runs very well thanks to regular maintenance in the hands of its
last owner. The underhood presentation is proper and clean, with
correct green paint on the Citroen hydraulic components along with
tidy wiring and plumbing. The cutting-edge hydraulic system powers
the brakes, suspension and the unique DIRAVI self-centering
steering system. The hydraulics benefit from recent servicing, with
newer rear shock absorbers and hydraulic accumulators. It functions
as it should; providing the signature ride quality, self-leveling
ability, and ride height adjustment. The car performs beautifully
on the road, with Maserati's gorgeous V6 delivering smooth and
linear power with a magnificent Italian soundtrack and crisp
shifting 5-speed manual transaxle. This 1972 SM is a very strong
example of Citroen's masterpiece. Well maintained and presented in
desirable colors and specification, it delivers the exquisite ride
and performance that make Citroen's revolutionary GT car so unique
among its peers and truly like no other automobile before or since.
