VIN AC7300SD0759
- 33 years with one owner before its multi-year refurbishment and
accompanied by copious service records
- Rebuilt 3.0-liter Maserati V6 with three Weber carburetors and
five-speed manual transaxle
- Hydropneumatic suspension system comprehensively overhauled by
SM World
- European-style covered headlights with striking Brun Scarabee
over Tabac presentation
Conceived as a grand touring flagship above the DS, the Citroen SM
was one of the most ambitious cars of the 1970s. The SM brought
together two very different schools of engineering: Citroen's
obsession with ride, steering, and aerodynamics, and Maserati's
compact, high-revving V6. The result was unlike anything else on
the road. Robert Opron's sleek fastback body, the narrow rear
track, covered front lamps, self-centering steering, and
hydropneumatic suspension gave the SM a distinctly futuristic
character that still feels unusual today.
This 1973 example was sold new by Auto Car Europe in Santa Clara,
California, in July of that year. After passing through two owners
in the 1970s, it was acquired by its third owner in 1981 and
remained in that care for an impressive 33 years. That long period
of stewardship was followed by a substantial refurbishment carried
out by Jerry Hathaway's SM World between 2006 and 2011.
During that work, the car was refinished in Brun Scarabee, the
interior was retrimmed in Tabac leather, the 3.0-liter Maserati V6
was rebuilt, and the hydropneumatic suspension system was
comprehensively overhauled. The finished car was subsequently
acquired via Jerry Hathaway in 2014 and relocated to New York.
Its presentation today reflects both that restoration and the
quality of care it has received since. The Brun Scarabee finish
suits the SM especially well, emphasizing the long, tapered body
and elegant rear profile, while the European-style covered
headlight treatment gives the nose the cleaner appearance
originally intended by Citroen. Stainless-steel bumpers, rear
fender skirts, and polished dual exhaust outlets complete the
exterior.
Inside, the Tabac leather cabin remains one of the SM's most
distinctive features. The sculpted front seats, contoured rear
bench, brushed metal trim, single-spoke steering wheel, and Jaeger
instrumentation combine comfort with a distinctly avant-garde sense
of design. Amenities include air conditioning, power windows, and
an AM/FM radio, while the five-speed manual transaxle gives the
driver a more involved connection to the Maserati-sourced V6.
Mechanically, this car has benefited from serious attention. The
rebuilt 3.0-liter V6 is fed by three Weber two-barrel carburetors
and exhales through a stainless-steel exhaust system, while the
hydropneumatic suspension, self-centering power steering, and
four-wheel disc brakes preserve the qualities that made the SM so
technically remarkable when new.
A particularly valuable aspect of this example is the copious
service documentation accompanying it, providing a detailed record
of its care and maintenance. The car was also shown at the
Greenwich Concours in 2017, a fitting appearance for a model that
remains one of the most distinctive expressions of postwar French
design.
With its major SM World refurbishment, rebuilt Maserati V6,
European-style front treatment, and extensive service file, this
1973 Citroen SM offers a compelling blend of rarity, technical
sophistication, and genuine usability. It is the kind of car that
rewards both close inspection and time behind the wheel.
Offers welcome and trades considered.
