1973 Citroen SM

Highlights


• Rebuilt original engine
• 3 owners since new
• Solid structure 
• One of 327 originally imported into the UK

The Background

In the grand scheme of classic car ownership, there are many joys that come with that responsibility. In simplified terms, they’re a piece of history, they attract goodwill from strangers and that oh so unique experience - the smell, noises and emotional fulfilment. All good so far. So let's amplify that by 10, and the results only just come close to what we have here, the legendary Citroen SM. 

Much has been written about these iconic cars, from the Robert Opron penned styling, to the silky V6 Maserati power, to the effortless comfort and cruising ability of the ride and dynamics. Nothing about this car is dull or ordinary. Everything, about it from the headlamp covers that house the headlamps that can see around corners to the burbling exhausts note is simply up there with the best.
As one of just 327 sold via UK Citroen dealers, this 1973 car is presented as a rolling restoration. Before you give up and decide that you haven’t got the balls to deal with something like this, it's worth reading on. The car has plenty of evidence pertaining to the renewal of several key parts of this admittedly complicated jigsaw. This includes a solid floor pan, overhauled brakes and hydraulics as well as its original rebuilt V6 engine waiting to be installed. 

The current engine runs fine and this SM has seen just 3 recorded owners over its lifetime. Much has been spent in recent years and also retains lots of its stainless steel trim and hard to find items. The body is going to be the main focus of attention, which in the grand scheme of things isn't so daunting, is it?  

The History

Registered new in the UK in Greater Manchester in 1973, it is believed to be a genuine UK import and for the first two decades of its ownership, had just two owners up to 1990. The last custodian took the car on board two years ago as the cars 4th owner and carried out a substantial amount of work to the car during his tenure. It was even taken to a few classic car shows, which suggests it offered some level of dependability. 

The current engine is not the original unit (the original block comes with the car and is simply waiting to be reinstalled) but does allow the car to move under its own steam, with fully operational hydraulics and brakes but as it stands today, it would be a sensible precaution to trailer it to its new home. 

The Paperwork

The cars come with its V5, along with a previous copy of the document which also lists two previous owners. 

The last owner spent a reasonable amount of money and time on the car, and it comes with bills that cover a radiator rebuild, an alternator, soundproofing and materials, stainless steel wheel trims, engine hoses, suspension spheres, driveshaft gaiters and a pricy invoice for restoring the nickel-plated rear reflectors. It also comes with copies of the owners manual and a section of the repair manual. 

The car also comes with a bootful of spares and it held an MOT as recently as 2019, maybe suggesting it wouldn't take much to get back on the road again...

The Interior

The innovative 1970's design of the exterior is matched by the lounge influenced feel of the interior space, with the ultra-retro vibe of bright colours, combined with the dashboard design and exquisite detailing of the switches, door arms and gear housing.

 The full fabric door cards are good if a little baggy, with the fabric needed not much more than a clean. There is a minor tear on the corner of the passenger side item. The stylish door release handle and lower door capping retains much of their appeal and is in good condition. The door pockets are operational. The carpets are complete and have minimal wear. 

The seats are in decent order, although shows age-related wear in the form of the loose-fitting material. There is some evidence of discolouration to the green fabric but the seats are generally damage-free, with the exception of the driver's seat which shows some exposed sponge in places. The dashboard is good, with some scuffs observed on the centre console but the top of the facia is good with no perishing or cracks. The main controls are in good condition, with some of the switchgear showing a little wear in places. 

The steering wheel plastic has worn well and looks presentable, with the gearstick and embellishments still looking robustly stylish and in decent order. The headlining has no rips or tears. The boot is good, with complete carpeting and no significant damage. The parcel shelf is in decent condition with minimal wear. 

The Exterior 

The main body structure of the Citroen SM has a good reputation for being strong, so with the solid undertray along with the decent jacking points, inner wings, engine and boot wells all looking solid, there’s a good case for the car to taken on and brought up to scratch. 

The car panel fit is generally good, with the body itself being straight with no noticeable distortion -  it all seems to hang together cohesively but the car will need attention to the body - there's no denying this. Both rear wings, particularly around the C pillars will need investigation. 

Some work has already been carried out on those panels. The front edge of the roof where it meets the windscreen has corrosion spots, with the front wings showing minor rust blisters and the tailgate displaying a few patches of rot. The aluminium bonnet has corrosion on the front edge. The rear wheel spats are not currently fitted but do come with the car. The boot gas struts are fully functional, the bonnet mechanism arm is good and both passenger doors open and close with no issues, with their respective rubber seals in good condition. 

There are a handful of minor dents scattered across the car, mostly observed on the sides. Finished in Bleu d'Orient (Oriental Blue) which in the real world could be described inelegantly as an aubergine colour, was only issued on 1972 and 1973 cars and in the grand scheme of SM colours, has to be considered a rare hue. The paint finish shines with a decent enough lustre, where it hasn’t been interrupted by blemishes. The car will undoubtedly need rubbing down and repainted, with the solid front valance clearly being a donor item. The windscreen is crack-free but shows laminate damage on the edges. The other glass panels show minor signs of age but are all perfectly salvageable. 

The brightwork on the car is all stainless steel, and by all account appear to be complete and in good condition. The front headlamp cover looks good with no significant damage, with the iconic swivelling headlamps all being operational when in action. The steel wheels show the expected signs of age but are straight without kerb damage. The stainless steel trims are recent items and are in excellent condition, with the Blockley tyres all being recent items and therefore in good order.

The Mechanics 

Currently fitted with a 2.7-litre carburettor engine sourced from a Maserati, the original compact aluminium Electronic Injection  Citroen-Maserati engine is also included in the sale and having been rebuilt with better solid valves. While it has been completed to a high degree, it has yet to be connected and tested. 

The current engine starts up with ease, the car will probably need a new battery (or certainly a decent charge) but once running it ticks over but may need fettling to resolve the occasional stall and occasional misfire. The exhausts are in good condition and do not emit any unwanted smoke. The car reaches temperature with no problems, the radiator has been rebuilt with additional evidence that the hosing has been maintained. 

The hydraulic system is functional with the car maintaining its different ride heights and is said to be leak-free due to a program of new parts being fitted in the hands of the previous owner. The braking system is leak-free too and said to be in good working order. The fuel pump and lines have seen renewal, with the fuel tank has also been subject to refurbishment. The self-centring steering is fully operational.

The Appeal

As to be expected for a car that needs bodywork attention, the visual presentation may be a distraction from what is actually a solid base with enormous potential to become a showpiece. Car restoration is always a challenge, and in the Citroen SM’s case, one for the dedicated fan. However, the rewards and kudos that goes with owning a Citroen SM are immeasurable.  

To be blunt, this car is looking for someone who knows them inside out, so it's fair to say it is not a fair-weather classic. As a car that showcases Citroens already legendary portfolio of iconic classic cars, this SM, simply due to its importance and provenance really deserves to be saved and admired for what it has achieved for the evolution of the car.
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Vehicle specification
  • Year 1973
  • Make Citroen
  • Model SM
  • Colour Blue
  • Odometer 30,057 Miles
  • Engine size 2670
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Location London
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
20 bids
  • De•••• £18,000 22/07/21
  • Ka•••• £17,500 22/07/21
  • wi•••• £16,000 22/07/21
  • Ka•••• £15,500 22/07/21
  • wi•••• £14,000 22/07/21
  • Ka•••• £13,500 22/07/21
  • wi•••• £12,500 22/07/21
  • De•••• £12,000 22/07/21
  • be•••• £11,500 22/07/21
  • wi•••• £11,000 21/07/21
Message C&C Auction Team

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