1972 Citroen SM

1972 Citroën SM Description

The car is cosmetically a very nice driver, among the nicer SMs one could expect to encounter. The body is straight and solid with great fit panel fit. The undercarriage is in very good structural order. The paint was done to very nice standards. The bright trim is very nice, with some swirls present on the bumpers and very light aging present on select pieces. The wheel trims are excellent and the glass is all of the correct type with etchings. The headlights and covers are excellent.
The interior is wonderfully weird throughout and makes an extremely strong impression with beautifully kept leather seats, front and rear. The headliner and dashboard pad also appear to be original, and in quite good order considering their age. The steering wheel has been retrimmed in leather. The carpets are in keeping with good driver cosmetics.. The balance of the interior appears to be excellent original, including the dashboard trim, instruments, and switches. The dashboard is punctuated by a variety of strange features, from the oval gauges to the stylized column stalks to the ribbon type auxiliary instruments perched atop the center console. The single spoke oval steering wheel is another striking feature, and the shift gate is equally peculiar, being objectively beautiful while also appearing to have been pilfered from Barbarella's accessory drawer. There is futuristic stainless trim on the length of the center console and on the instrument surround as well.
The engine is an extremely impressive sight, with the immediate impression that the engine is very far away. The hood is long and the engine placed well behind the front axle line, right against the firewall. The bell housing and gearbox sit in front of the engine, and a curious shaft runs the hydraulic pump and air conditioner compressor, both of which are well away from the motor. The hydraulic pump feeds a diabolical looking network of tanks, hydraulic accumulators, and plumbing, all of which have been serviced and are in proper working condition. The original air intake and air filter housing are both present still. Although not quite in show condition, the engine and engine compartment are extremely clean and nicely detailed, and show off the many interesting technical features well. The trunk is in excellent original condition with original side panel.
The car operates exactly as designed, which is novel, engaging, and downright fascinating. The engine starts instantly and is well-tuned with particularly good responsiveness and smooth operation. The exhaust note and other engine noise are excellent, to be expected from a 90-degree Italian-designed V6 with stainless steel headers. The owner reports that the car consumes virtually no oil. The transmission shifts extremely well, with excellent syncromesh and a smooth, precise action. The suspension adjusts swiftly to all heights ranging from "on the deck" to "Paris-Dakar". The brakes are extremely effective, and the speedometer has labels around the perimeter that indicate that number of feet required to stop from a given speed. The steering is extremely responsive with exactly two turns lock to lock and the suspension offers a magically smooth ride that handles all variety of road imperfections in a way that is impressive today and must have been mind-blowing forty years ago. The brakes seem initially touchy to the uninitiated driver like all cars equipped with Citroen hydraulic systems from this period, but are extremely effective. The overall experience is quite and engaging, and is sure to entertain and intrigue its new owner.
It's extraordinarily difficult to convey exactly how unique this car is. The car is technically unique on paper, and is equally remarkable, if not more remarkable, to behold in person.
This particular car is exceptionally well-resolved thanks to its careful; no-expense spared sorting by one of the best in the business. It is a wonderfully presented example that is sure to entertain and befuddle its new keeper and indeed anyone who sees it, for years to come. Accompanying the sale of this rare automobile is the original Citroen owner’s handbook, original Citroen keys, spare tire with original cover, tools, jack.