Two For One: 1972 Citroën SM
The Citroën SM was a shock when it hit the Geneva Motor Show in early 1970. It was the first performance oriented car from a French manufacturer since before WWII and it was completely bonkers. The Maserati sourced V6 engine was mounted behind the front wheels, but it put power forward and just about every detail was from some bearded Spock universe. Suspension was a complex oleo pneumatic affair that included active self leveling that gave the car remarkable ride quality with good handling dynamics. A two-turns lock-to-lock steering gear setup might have been strange, but the swiveling steered beam headlights was downright alien (although it was banned for the USA market). Today’s SM is a 2-for-1 deal and both cars have been off the road for decades, how much fun would it be to get these things back in shape? Find these two 1972 Citroen SM (SMs…?) offered for $9,950 in Sylmar, CA via pierreslist.
From the seller:
1972 Citroen SM
fuel: gas
odometer: 123456
title status: clean
transmission: manual
I have 2 72 Citroen’s that I have owned for many years. They have been sitting for most of the time. They were under covered parking but are outside now. Both have the Maserati engine. I have extra parts that go with them as well. They have clean titles in my name. Low ball offers and scams will be ignored so please don’t waste our time. I am assisting the owner with the sale
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Hopefully some masochist will at least be able to make one good car from the two, if not resurrect both.
As much as I love Citroens, I’m not the one to attempt it. I’m just stupid, not crazy.
buncha years back, the NY times sunday paper used to carry a small section on Automobiles. and a recurring feature , one they called Rust In Peace. generally covering cars that might seem interesting in some way or the other, but not worth the effort to resurrect. the SM was once featured. seems that the name is appropriate. sado-masochists only need apply. And I love Citroens. But if these were the best examples i could find, i would choose another model to covet.
My dream car and worst nightmare. Now if only one car was the dream and the other was the nightmare rather than this even distribution of somnambulistic dissonance.
Strangest to me was the brake ‘pedal’ you see there; like a half-a-tennis ball.
Got the chance to park one working at the club ’70’s.
My dream car in a dream world where someone else covers all the maintenance and repairs.