1973 Citroen SM

Lot details
Registration No: PGP 3L
Chassis No: 005L1589
Mot Expiry: Oct 2012

Masterminded by the head of Citroen's internal 'Bureau des Etudes', Robert Opron, the SM was unveiled at the 1970 Geneva Salon. Intended as a grand tourer to follow in the wheeltracks of offerings from 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 behind the front wheels and allied to either a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. Boasting a substantial monocoque and drag co-efficient of just 0.25, the four-seater featured all-round independent, self-levelling oleo-pneumatic suspension, speed-sensitive power steering (2.0 turns lock to lock) and sensitive disc brakes. The SM was sure-footed, while its slippery shape gave it the performance to enforce those spaceship looks: Motor magazine found it capable of 137mph and 0-60mph in 8.3 seconds; a rival to such overtly sporting machinery as the Jensen Interceptor and BMW 3.0CSi. Of the 12,920 SMs built, only 327 were officially imported into the UK. All are left-hand drive apart from a handful converted to RHD in Australia.

This left-hand drive SM EFI was manufactured in 1973 and supplied new to the UK. Finished in Silver Grey Metallic with Black leather trim and Grey carpets, it is equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox. The vendor acquired the SM in November 2004, prior to which it had had five previous keepers, including a Citroen specialist from Oxford. The vendor informs us that the engine benefited from a major overhaul by Andrew Brodie Engineering in 1996, when the car had covered 57,000 miles. During his tenure the body has been restored and the interior refreshed with the front seats, door cards, carpets replaced with a good originals and the rear seat retrimmed. A '1-2-3' electronic ignition and stainless steel exhaust have been fitted and the car serviced and maintained as required by the vendor, a motoring enthusiast and automotive consultant. He has recently replaced the rubber fuel lines and tailgate seal and overhauled the starter motor. 'PGP 3L' comes complete with owners' manual, original Radiomobile radio and paperwork (the car is now fitted with Clarion radio/cassette and 6-stack CD changer) and MOT into January 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until October 2012.