Lot details
Registration No: VOD310J
Chassis No: 00SB2123
Mot Expiry: Oct 2010

Masterminded by the head of Citroen's internal 'Bureau des Etudes', Robert Opron, the SM was unveiled at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show. Intended as a grand routier to follow in the wheeltracks of Facel Vega, Delahaye and Bugatti, the newcomer married the world's most technologically advanced front-wheel-drive platform to Maserati 'quad-cam' power (the Italian marque having been a Citroen subsidiary since 1968). Credited with developing some 170bhp and 172lbft, its free-revving 2.7 litre V6 engine (later 3.0 litre) was mounted well back behind the front wheels and allied to five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. Boasting a substantial monocoque and drag co-efficient of just 0.25, the four-seater 'Serie Maserati' also featured all-round independent and self-levelling oleo-pneumatic suspension, speed-sensitive power steering (2.0 turns lock to lock) and super-sharp disc brakes. The SM was not just sure-footed but its slippery shape gave it the go to back up those spaceship looks: Motor magazine found one capable of 137mph and 0-60mph in 8.3 seconds, making it a rival to more overtly sporting machinery such as the Jensen Interceptor, Alfa Romeo Montreal and BMW 3.0CSi. Of the 12,920 SMs built, only 327 were ever officially imported into the UK and all are left-hand drive apart from a handful converted to rhd in Australia.

This car was imported from France in 2008 and is only being sold due to the death of its first UK owner. The vendor describes it as being in "good" condition with regard to its 2.7 litre V6 engine, five-speed manual gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, bodywork and paintwork and he says that its accompanying paperwork supports the low mileage recorded of just 44,108km (under 28,000 miles). More importantly, it is understood to have covered just 70 miles since being treated to some "£5,000 worth of mechanical work including a new clutch, replacement timing chains and modified jackshaft couplings". Riding on correct type steel wheels, this sophisticated, fast and stylish grand tourer is offered for sale with fresh MOT certificate.