No car epitomizes the golden age of Citroen like the SM. In addition to possessing all of the unique technical features and driving characteristics that define the company’s products, it also adds something that no other Citroen has: a genuinely exciting engine. Powered by a Maserati V6, the SM added performance to the already singular attributes of the Citroens that came before it.
The first of these was the Traction Avant, one of the world’s first front wheel drive cars. This was followed by the 2CV, which was cleverly designed, sophisticated, yet rudimentary and economical all at the same time. Next came the DS, a stunning family car that was aerodynamic, beautiful, futuristic, and offered the first mass produced application of disc brakes as well as a magic carpet smooth ride thanks to its adjustable height oleopneumatic suspension.
The SM was introduced as Citroen’s flagship in 1970. The company had purchased Maserati in 1968, an important piece of Citroen’s plan to build a high performance GT that was developed from the DS. Citroen asked Maserati to develop a six cylinder engine, which would be used both in this car and a new small Maserati to compete with Ferrari’s Dino, the Merak. The 90 degree V6 featured quad cams and made prototypically Italian noises. The car was extraordinarily aerodynamic, with a Kamm tail, sloping roofline, and attentive streamlining, which gave the car a coefficient of drag of just .26. The front track was wider than the rear track, giving the car a tapered plan form, while stopping power was furnished by disc brakes all round, which were inboard at the front. The height adjustable oleopneumatic suspension was similar to that of the DS and offered an exceptional ride. The list of innovations goes on and on, with the first introduction of variable assist power steering, automatically adjusted hydraulic brake bias based on the weight distribution of the car, and many others.
The car was and remains a true revelation. Road & Track declared it one of the 10 Best Cars in the World in 1971, and it was awarded the Motor Trend Car of the Year award in 1972, a shocking achievement because even today, the award is typically bestowed on an American car. Indeed, the 1985 Volkswagen GTI was the only other non-American car to win the award until 2003. The SM was good for 140mph, making it the fastest front wheel drive car in the world at the time, and Popular Science also noted that it had the shortest stopping distance of any car they had ever tested.
This particular example is a longtime California car which has been handsomely restored. It runs and drives well with properly functioning suspension, DIRAVI steering, cold AC.
