Fantasy Junction

Description

1973 Citroen SM
s/n AC7300SD0250
Silver with Black Leather Interior

The Citroen SM is a truly fascinating car that epitomizes Citroen’s long tradition of innovation and disregard for convention. Their previous track record included the Traction Avant, one of the world’s first front wheel drive cars, the 2CV, whose main competition was the donkey cart, and 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 related to 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 prototypically Italian noises, and was coupled either to a 5-speed manual or an automatic transmission. 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, and the car featured disc brakes all round, which were inboard at the front to reduce unsprung weight. 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. Indeed, 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 a genuine 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 car is an exceptional and largely original example that has superb ownership and maintenance history. The car has known California history back to 1977, at which point it was purchased by Jerry Hathaway, owner of SM World in Southern California and widely regarded to be the preeminent SM specialist in North America. He built the car up as a demonstrator for his business, replacing suspension spheres and other hydraulics, rebuilding the engine, and fitting European headers. He then sold the car to a long-term custodian, Mr. Prescott, who continued to have the car maintained by SM World for over three decades until his death in 2011. Hathaway purchased the car from the estate and serviced the car thoroughly before selling it on to another owner in January 2012. This service included adjusting the timing chains and since then, the car has been repainted and the suspension serviced with new hydraulic pump and five new suspension spheres.

The car makes a strong cosmetic impression with high quality paint that is virtually unmarked. The panels are extremely straight and free of rust, with very good fit. The original trim, which is almost entirely stainless rather than chrome, is in excellent original condition. The glass and lights are also excellent, and the car has had European headlamp covers and Cibié headlamps added.

The interior is wonderfully weird throughout, and in lovely original condition. The dashboard is superb and free of cracks, and 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, which is incidentally where the original SM radio is situated, between the seats. The carpets are in superb shape, as are the door panels and the remainder of the interior. The only area that shows significant wear is the front seats, which have some cracking to the original leather and one tear in the driver’s seat. The remaining areas, including the door panels, instruments, controls, and trim are in extremely well-preserved original condition. The radio works and the air conditioning blows cold.

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, which is an updated rotary unit. The hydraulic pump feeds a diabolical looking network of tanks, hydraulic accumulators, and plumbing, all of which have been recently serviced and are in proper working condition. The valve covers were polished during the restoration, but the engine’s appearance is otherwise consistent with that of a well-maintained unrestored car. A high volume cone air filter was added to replace the bulky air cleaner housing and the engine is otherwise stock in appearance, down to the correct green finish on the hydraulic components, LHM warning placards, and even the bracket to hold a spare carton of LHM green hydraulic fluid. Naturally, there is a restored carton in place in the engine compartment.

The trunk is also in excellent unrestored condition. The carpet and cargo cover are in great shape, and the hydraulic shocks for the liftgate work properly. The original cover for the spare is in place, as is the jack.

The car operates exactly as designed, which is novel, engaging, and downright fascinating. The engine starts easily, makes plenty of power, is well-tuned, and sounds great. The transmission shifts extremely well, with great syncromesh and a smooth action. The hydropneumatic suspension adjust 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 overall experience is quite sporting 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. There is an endless supply of interesting and unusual details, making it the ideal prescription for the jaded car enthusiast seeking a genuinely different experience. The sensitivity of the brakes and steering are unnerving at first, but the car is ultimately a pleasure to drive, with an intriguing blend of coherent, sporting, and comfortable. This particular car is exceptionally well-resolved thanks to its decades of careful maintenance by one of the best in the business. It is a wonderfully solid and original example that is sure to entertain and befuddle its new keeper and indeed anyone who sees it, for years to come. It is complete with spare, jack, owner’s manual, warranty and maintenance guide, and manual for the radio, which is unique to the SM.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608