1973 Citroën SM 3.0-Litre Coupé

Registration no. to be advised Chassis no. SBSD00SD1562

Footnotes

Combining Citröen's advanced chassis technology and Maserati's unrivalled engine know-how, the SM (Série Maserati) featured DS-style hydro-pneumatic self-levelling suspension, power-assisted all-round disc brakes, self-centring steering, and steered headlamps. Maserati was responsible for the 90-degree V6 engine, and after some juggling of bore/stroke dimensions, a capacity of 2,670cc was settled on for a power output of 170bhp.

The man responsible for styling the SM was Robert Opron, who had managed to persuade the Citroën management that it would be a good idea to have a prestige Gran Turismo at the top of the range. His portfolio while at Citroën would include overseeing the GS and CX ranges, as well as face-lifting the immortal DS. Citröen was the world leader in passenger car aerodynamics at this time, the SM's class-leading drag coefficient enabling it to reach 225km/h (140mph), making it the fastest front-wheel-drive car ever at that time. Fuel injection arrived in 1972, an automatic transmission option became available the following year and the engine was enlarged to 2,974cc before the model was prematurely (some would say criminally) axed in 1975 following Citröen's acquisition by Peugeot. Fondly remembered, these technically advanced and functionally beautiful cars remain highly sought after today.

One of 1,612 made with automatic transmission, this wonderful Citroën SM was previously owned in Switzerland by the late Mr Christian Haefliger, an SM specialist, who is understood to have restored the car in his own workshop. The history file contains a Citroën Switzerland Anti Pollution test card, stamped in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1999, confirming that the car was in Switzerland in during that period. The file also contains radio instructions, the original service book (no stamps), the original handbook, and a CD-ROM of high-resolution photographs. The SM was first registered in the UK on 1st June 2014 and was last MoT'd to 20th September 2017.

Currently displaying a total of 51,567 kilometres (approximately 32,000 miles) on the odometer, the car offered here represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire one of these 20th Century motoring icons in its ultimate and most desirable specification. It should be noted that the current private registration is being retained.