Vehicle Description
Rarely have mass-market automobile manufacturers found success in
pushing high-tech, cutting-edge products to the general buying
public. While innovation and provocative styling are comfortably
within the realm of sports car manufacturers, the average consumer
prefers to sacrifice some technology for safety and reliability.
Yet, Citroen managed to find the sweet spot - embracing the
Avant-Garde in its everyday products while still selling them on a
mass-market platform. From the elegant simplicity of the 2CV to the
technical advancements of the stunningly beautiful DS, Citroens
have long held a reputation for creative engineering paired with
artistic and uniquely French design. Citroen's SM was born of a
desire to offer a sporty car based on the DS to compete with the
Porsche 911. In 1968, Citroen had acquired the ailing Maserati with
an eye toward using their engines in the new flagship. The top
brass in Paris requested a new engine from Maserati for their
project and they were shown a compact, 90-degree V6 that was
basically an older Maserati V8 with two cylinders lopped off. But
this engine was just a one-off to see how the V6 concept would be
perceived. When the green light was given, Maserati's Giulio
Alfieri designed the new V6 from a clean sheet of paper. When the
SM debuted in 1970 it was no longer a lithe sports car, but a
full-fledged, four-seat GT with an exotic, Italian-built 2.7L V6,
choice of a 5-speed manual or automatic gearbox, and front wheel
drive. In typical Citroen fashion, the styling seemed inspired by
science fiction. The long sweeping body 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
underpinnings were equally space-age with fully adjustable
hydro-pneumatic suspension developed from the DS, high-pressure
load sensitive brakes and fully powered, self-centering steering
that allowed the car to be set up with zero caster, thereby
eliminating bump steer, but requiring a unique approach to driving.
Thanks to its unparalleled ride quality and sonorous Italian V6,
the SM has long been considered one of the finest GTs of the era;
counted among the most admired and advanced cars of all time. This
1974 Citroen SM Automatique is a gorgeous, expertly maintained
example finished in Gris Nacre (Mother of Pearl Gray) over Tobacco
leather. It is one of 134 examples originally built for the US
market that were instead sold new in Japan. Deemed by the NHTSA to
be noncompliant with their 5-mph impact regulation due to the SM's
adjustable suspension and resultant non-fixed bumper height, these
cars were ultimately earmarked for the Japanese market, complete
with USDOT-mandated fixed headlights. This Citroen eventually made
its way to the US and was acquired by a fastidious collector of
pristine, unique postwar automobiles. In his care, the SM recently
received more than $23,000 in documented mechanical work at The
Creative Workshop in Dania Beach, Florida, in 2022. As one would
expect, this car has been meticulously well cared for and presents
in fine order throughout. The body is exceptionally straight and
clean, with crisp feature lines and excellent, well-maintained
paintwork in the factory correct color. The bumpers and brightwork
are in similarly fine order as well. Swinging open the big doors
reveals a beautiful interior trimmed in Tobacco leather and in
fabulous condition throughout. The leather seats show some very
light creasing, which lends the cabin an inviting character like a
favorite old pair of gloves. Rear seats show very little use, and
the original upholstered parcel shelf remains in place and in good
order under the rear glass. The full array of signature oval dials
is in good condition, with the gold-colored fascia and console
inlays in similarly fine shape. Features include air conditioning
and electric windows, and even the seldom-seen original Citroen
radio is at home in the center console, in its somewhat unusual but
factory-correct location, placed vertically between the seats. The
radio has also been restored by R&B Vintage Auto Radio to
include Bluetooth and voice command. The original jack and tools
are in place in the factory location in the spare wheel. The
3.0-liter Maserati-built V6 is in fine condition mechanically and
cosmetically, in keeping with an expertly maintained car. Engine
detailing is to a high-quality standard, and it retains the
original air cleaner and correct labels and decals. The DIRAVI
steering, hydopneumatic suspension and hydraulically boosted brakes
work as they should and the 3-speed automatic transmission shifts
well. Similarly, the undercarriage is tidy and befitting that of a
car that has been driven but sensibly maintained. The automatic
transmission lends itself rather well to the SM, accentuating the
relaxed, high-speed cruising ability of these remarkable cars.
Offered with records dating back to the early 2000s, including
invoices from noted model experts such as SM World, Bader Motors,
and Citroen Concours of America. The Citroen SM is one of the most
advanced, forward-thinking automobiles of all time, and this is
simply one of the finest we have ever had the pleasure to offer.
With its outstanding coachwork and beautifully presented interior,
this is a fabulous example of one of the worlds most advanced GT
cars, an automobile like no other before or since. courtesy of the
brilliantly inventive minds at Citroen. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7702-1974-citroen-sm/
