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The Pick of the Day is a 1972 Citroën SM – a French exotic GT born from the desire to compete with the Porsche 911.
“Thanks to its unparalleled ride quality and powerful, sonorous Italian V6 engine, Citroën’s brilliant SM is long considered one of the most exceptional GTs of the era; proudly counted among the most technologically advanced automobiles of all time,” says the Saint Louis, Missouri, dealer advertising the SM on ClassicCars.com.
After basking in the success of the Traction Avant, 2CV and iconic DS, Citroën began designing a high-performance halo car to compete with the 911, which ultimately became known as the SM.
“When the SM finally debuted in 1970, it was no longer the lithe sports car first envisioned, instead morphing into a full-fledged, four-seat GT with an exotic, Italian-built 2.7L V6, choice of 5-speed manual or automatic gearbox, and front-wheel drive,” the dealer says.
This 1972 collector-owned example is equipped with the carbureted Maserati V6 paired with a 5-speed manual transaxle and finished in the era-appropriate light metallic green over tobacco-brown leather interior.
Aside from a few minor paint blemishes, superficial polish marks on the brightwork and a split seam on the driver’s shoulder bolster noted by the dealer, the SM looks well-cared-for.
Designer Robert Opron takes credit for the SM’s “science-fiction styling” that features a teardrop-tapered long body, skirted rear wheels and glass-covered headlamps.
“Many of the chassis components came from the DS, including the fully adjustable hydro-pneumatic suspension, and high-pressure load sensitive brakes,” the dealer mentions.
A new feature Citroën added to the SM was the DIRAVI self-centering steering that allowed the car to be set up with zero caster for easy parking.
“The original, rarely-seen Continental-Editions FM/MW/LW radio sits in the correct location between the seats, and other desirable features include air conditioning, electric windows and heated rear glass.
“Pleasingly maintained and presented in desirable colors and specification, it delivers the exciting performance and unique driving experience that make Citroen’s revolutionary grand tourer an automobile like no other before or since.”
The asking price for the SM is $58,500.
To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
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