1971 Citroën SM 2.7 V6

• A striking example in a great colour combination - there is nothing quite like an SM
• Early paperwork (1974/1975) shows evidence of the car residing in Madrid, Spain, being maintained and serviced at Citroen; a 2010 receipt shows it was bought from a Madrid seller by Classics & Cabriolets Collection of Essex
• A marriage of Citroen and Maserati led to the birth of a highly individual coupe - the SM was a two-door, four-seat Coupe powered by a 2670cc, Maserati, four-cam, 90-degree V6 producing 180bhp at 6,250rpm, all fed through the front wheels
• Citroen's flagship vehicle capable of 0-60 mph in around eight seconds and a top speed of 140mph
• Complex and innovative; the suspension was Hydropneumatic and the steering was variable-assist hydraulic
• This car has formed part of a large collection with little or no use. An element of recommissioning is to be expected to return it to the road once again

In 1961, Citroen began work on 'Project S', a sports variant of the revolutionary Citroen DS. As was customary for the firm, many running concept vehicles were developed, increasingly complex and upmarket from the DS. Citroen purchased Maserati in 1968 with the intention of harnessing Maserati's high-performance V6 engine technology to produce a true Gran Turismo car combining the sophisticated Citroen suspension. The result was the Citroen SM - a two-door, four-seat coupe powered by a 2670cc, Maserati, four-cam, 90-degree V6 producing 180bhp at 6,250rpm, all fed through the front wheels.

First shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1970 and going on sale in France in September of that year, all factory-produced cars were left-hand drive, although right-hand conversions were supplied to the UK and Australia.

The origin of the model name 'SM' is not completely clear. The 'S' may derive from the Project 'S' designation and the 'M' perhaps refers to Maserati; hence SM is often assumed to stand for 'Systeme Maserati' or 'Sports Maserati'. Another common alternative is 'Serie Maserati' but others have suggested it is short for 'Sa Majeste' (Her Majesty in French) which aligns with the common DS model's nickname 'La Deesse' (The Goddess).

In 1972 the 2.7 was changed from triple Weber 42DCNFs to Bosch Jetronic injection although later cars returned to the Webers. It was capable of 0-60 in around 8 seconds and had a top speed in fifth gear of 140 mph. The suspension was 'Hydropneumatic' and the steering was variable-assist hydraulic

The car presented here is a 1971 Citroen SM 2.7 V6 (so with Weber 42DCNFs) with accompanying early paperwork (1974/75) showing evidence of it residing in Madrid being maintained and serviced at Citroen. A much later receipt shows it was bought in 2010 from a Madrid seller to 'Classics & Cabriolets Collection' of Essex. Enjoying the sunny climate of Madrid for most of its life should make for a solid example and was obviously deemed worthy of purchase by a UK classic car specialist.

A fascinating car, the SM is considered a real design and technology maverick, and it is wholly understandable why they continue to generate such interest.

In recent years, this car has formed part of a large collection and as such has received little or no use and an element of recommissioning is to be expected to return it to the road once again. Your inspection pre-sale is welcomed and encouraged to appreciate the potential of this rarely offered motor car.