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Launched in 1970 the Citroen SM was truly a technical tour de force and continued Citroen’s reputation as a revolutionary car manufacturer.

Aside from dramatic ground-breaking styling the new car employed the independent hydropneumatic suspension system first seen on the iconic DS. As well as an exceptionally comfortable ride, the car’s ride height could be raised or lowered by a lever located by the driver’s seat. The system was also self-levelling which kept the six headlights at the correct level under braking or acceleration.

Another SM development was variable power steering which altered the power assistance depending on the speed of the car. Full power assistance was applied when the car was static and was minimised as speed increased. The steering system also self-centred and even turned the headlamps as the steering wheel was rotated.

Until the SM Citroen engines were not the most exciting element of their cars. But all that changed in 1968 when Citroen bought Maserati who designed a new V6 engine specifically for the SM. The resulting unit had a displacement of 2,670cc (deliberately under the French 2.8 litre tax demarcation) and pushed out a respectable 170 BHP. The engine featured four overhead camshafts and was constructed from light alloy castings. The motor was then mounted well back in the engine bay, almost under the windscreen to optimise weight distribution.

Drive was to the front wheels and transmission was via a 5-speed manual gearbox. Braking was provided by powerful four-wheel discs (inboard at the front). In period the SM was seen as a junior supercar and was comparable to the Ferrari Dino, Porsche 911 and Jaguar E-Type.

According to a letter on file from ‘SeMantics’ the SM section of the UK Citroen Car Club, our example was completed in July 1971. The car was domiciled in Rome before being purchased in 2007 by Roberta Arati of Modena, the home of Maserati.

In 2010 the SM was certified by the ASI, Historic Italian Automobile Club and invoices on file show the car was maintained by local Maserati specialists. In 2011 the SM underwent a major refurbishment program which included a bare metal respray and rebuilds of the engine, suspension and power steering system with parts supplied by the SM Club de France.

The brakes were also rebuilt and the clutch and radiator replaced. A new windscreen was fitted along with new window and door seals. A new oil cooler, fuel pump, windscreen wiper motor and replacement air conditioning compressor were also installed in addition to a Luminition electronic ignition system. The final invoice totalled 31,800 euro and photographs on file illustrate the extent of the work.

In 2014 the car was purchased after an on-site inspection in Italy by respected British Citroen SM specialist Andrew Brodie. The SM was then imported and registered in the UK and Andrew Brodie Engineering Ltd. maintained it until it was sold to its current collector owner in 2016. The Citroen has since been maintained in the workshops of the current owner by his private mechanic.

This Citroen SM is now available for sale and is a fine example of the breed which has clearly been cherished throughout its life. It remains in great condition and is ready for the next chapter of its life.