1972 Citroen SM V6, 2.8 carb. from North America

Summary:

The most beautiful car ever made

Faults:

Spheres need periodic replacing.

Back up light switch replaced.

Exhaust system replacement.

Radio not the best.

Power windows need attention, sometimes the plastic gear breaks in half, difficult to replace.

Spheres are replaceable easily.

Break sphere requires removal of left front fender.

General Comments:

This car is the most technically sophisticated car ever made in the 1970's.

Very reliable if you stay on top of the maintenance.

A ride like no other car.

A rolling museum piece.

Always a car show winner.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th August, 2004

19th Aug 2004, 20:03

The Citroen SM was a beautiful failure from the beginning. A person has to be obsessed and have more money than sense to waste their time and effort in order to maintain this ill-conceived and poorly executed luxo-cruiser. Good luck to all who have them, you'd probably also enjoy a Fiat 124 Spider and an MGB to shed tears over. Maybe if you search really well you could find a Cadillac Catera that you could try to keep up.

1971 Citroen SM v6 carb 2.7 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Science on wheels, art in motion, unique in the world

Faults:

Not a great deal has gone wrong with the car. Mostly, I have had preventative work done: as soon as I get an inkling that something is wrong, I have it checked and repaired. With this kind of car, I think that's imperative.

During the last 10,000 kms it's performed remarkably well in terms of reliability. A 'pinking' sound at just over 4000 revs was identified as main bearing wear. This was rectified immediately, so no damage to crankshaft was to ensue.

General Comments:

As a long term owner of a Citroen DS Safari, I have for years enjoyed the extraordinary drive that simply cannot be matched by any other car.

It seemed logical therefore, that once I could now afford one, I simply had to have THE 70's Citroen driving experience which culminated in the Maserati engined Citroen SM.

A good example was sourced via North London specialist Andrew Brodie Engineering and this car was then subject to all the correct modifications (timing chain upgrades, solid valves, modified air-com etc..) and finally a re-spray in Bleu Platine.

Driving it every day proves the car lives up to it's original remit:

Subtly fast and beautiful to look at, serene, yet purposeful and engaging the SM is just an amazing car.

Park up and people swarm around it, trying to find some tell-tale sign as to its identification. They ask: Is it a Scimitar? Is it a kit-car? (!). Is it a Ford Mustang? (please!!).

Needless to say most have never heard of one, fewer have ever seen one. All though, are impressed.

There is no snobbery of ownership, like you face if you are a new Ferrari owner. Taxi drivers give the thumbs up, schoolboys drool over the cool shapely curves, bus drivers give way, just to watch the metallic blue beauty sail by. In fact, it's the automotive antidote to Status Anxiety (if you suffer it).

Talk to people about the technical merits of the car and they look at you in disbelief! Was all that mechanical complexity really available in the seventies?

Yes it was, and it remains to this day a car so clever, so intriguing, so able as an everyday car, so beautiful in its style so breathtaking in its approach, that in sum nothing on Earth can compare.

Find a really good one, keep it that way and you'll never want for anything else at any price.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st May, 2004

6th Oct 2005, 22:22

I can't agree more more. There is no one car that compares to a Citroen SM. There are better cars, but there is nothing quite like like a SM. It was and will continue to be a car that was years ahead of it's rivals. I doubt that even thirty years later a car exists that can match the ride in a Citroen SM. I would not be the first to say the car was ahead of its time. It was, and will always be. I only hope that one day the car's foward thinking will be recognized. There is no car to which it can be compared. The SM stands somewhat alone in the realm of automobile history. It is a very special car indeed. It truly has no rival.

1971 Citroen SM V6 double overhead cam per cylinder bank from UK and Ireland

Summary:

An innovative conundrum

Faults:

Mostly engine problems which are easily excused because it is a French built car, no offense to the French. Not to mention its not easy task finding someone to work on these cars, I can only relate this car to a Rubik's cube, it looks simple, but turns out to be a total conundrum.

General Comments:

This car is rather bizarre, the gages are nearly impossible to read, other than that the car is an excellent ride. Very innovative and sleek styling. So many features as well, the headlights turn with the steering wheel, ingenious. If you have the means of picking one up, I recommend you do so, they are also rather rare.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th April, 2003

29th Apr 2003, 03:31

The engine is an Italian Maserati engine, not a French one... no offence meant.

1973 Citroen SM 3.0 carburetor from North America

Summary:

An automotive icon that deserves an understanding owner and a fine automotive technician

Faults:

This Citroen SM sat too long and needed spheres.

Its entire oil cooling system burst and had to be replaced.

Its intricate 3 timing chains needed replacement as well as a total overhaul of the distributor.

Front brakes quite sensitive to wear.

General Comments:

This SM should be kept by true connosieurs of automobiles or mechanics with engineering degrees. It's a marvel when running correctly.

Nothing surpasses this car as a fast, freeway flyer.

Steering fantastic, affording maneuverability of a Mazda Miata.

Fingers always crossed when I am behind the wheel.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th April, 2002

24th Aug 2003, 16:36

Comment from owner: Thanks for your individual comment. Citroen SM still running as per usual. Should note that ALL 1973/74 SMs built after 01/73 or so came with the 3.0 V6, whether or not a 5 speed or automatic was chosen. This is an original equipment vehicle, fully documented from new. There was no conversion of its transmission.