Citroen SM - 1974
Car Citroen SM Year 1974 Engine 2.7l Maserati V6 Driving LHD 5 speed manual Seats 4 Power 170 BHP
The Car
The Citroen SM is simply the most unique and amazing driving experience. Designed by Ropert Opron and launched at Geneva 1970, it was a remains a tour de force in styling, aerodynamics and innovation. Fifty years later it is probably the only car of the era which will make your new sports car feel old fashioned or your your standard family hatchback actually feel harder to drive. Packed with innovation in braking, suspension and steering, the driving dynamics of this car are something every car enthusiast should experience.
Walk-around
Long, low and sleek, walking around the SM is something special. Our car is a documented original mileage car with less than 40000 km. It is unrestored and presented in totally original condition, and even has the original protective plastic covering fitted to some of the floors & door sill carpets.
The Oily Bits
The Citroen DS was designed around a flat-6 engine, which Citroen tragically never developed, and so was launched in 1955 with a somewhat un-beguiling 4 cylinder engine. In many ways, the 2.7L Maserati V6 fitted to the Citroen SM is the engine which the DS always deserved but never got.
It produces 170bhp which doesn’t sound like a lot, but this is a GT car, and it’s plenty to pull the SM briskly around town and country with zero fuss, and with that fabulous growly V6 soundtrack you won’t want to get there too quickly anyway.
Get Comfortable
Getting ready to drive the SM for the first time is worth spending time on. The steering is self-centering which takes a little getting used to, and the brakes are extremely powerful. The ride height can be adjusted by the lever to your left next to the seat - up for up and down for down - a fun bonus of Citroen's fabulous suspension
The Driving Experience
Get ready for something truly unique. Anyone who has driven a Citroen DS or CX may have some expectation of how the DS handles and brakes, and anyone who has driven a Maserati Merak will recognise a lot of the switchgear and instruments which it shared with the SM, as well the howl as that Maserati V6 gets you up the road.
Everyone else can get ready for something totally new, and a lot of you will be as addicted as I am after your first drive.
The fabulous ride & handling of this car as well as the story of how Citroen bought Maserati to develop the engine of this car are all well documented, but the slick 5 speed box is also a big part of what makes this car such a fabulous experience and so much fun.
For those interested in the development story, please check this out, an Jay Leno’s view of the Citroen SM to see it on the move is here. Then please get in touch here to book your drive!