1971 Citroen SM Maserati

Begun in 1961, 'Project S' emerged from Citroën's requirement to develop a sports variant of the revolutionary DS. As was customary for the quirky French firm, many running concept vehicles were developed with increasingly complex and upmarket features to differentiate the 'sports' project from the popular DS. The acquisition of Maserati by Citroën in 1968 was motivated by the possibility of harnessing Maserati's high-performance engine technology to produce a true Grand Tourer, combining the sophisticated Citroën suspension with the power of a Maserati V6.

The result was the Citroën SM, which was first shown to rapturous appreciation at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1970. It went on sale in France in September of that year in left-hand drive only, although right-hand drive conversions were later offered in the UK and Australia. The SM was Citroën's flagship vehicle, competing with other high-performance GTs of the time from manufacturers such as Jaguar, Lotus, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo and Porsche. It was also Citroën's way of demonstrating just how much power and performance could be accommodated in a front-wheel drive design. As an example of Citroën's optimism and progressive technology, the SM was untouchable, and similarities drawn by pundits of the day to the design and futurism of aircraft such as Concorde cemented the love affair still borne by car aficionados today.

We are pleased to offer this particular Citroën SM Maserati finished in the original colour of 'Vert des Tropiques', with Blue-Grey Jersey trim. This fine example was supplied new in France and features optional air-conditioning and tinted glass.

Having covered a modest total of 48,000 km (or 30,000 miles) from new, this carburetted SM spent some ten years in the hands of its first owner in Rennes, France, before passing, in March 1981 to a local 'garagiste'. The car was then used very sparingly until being sold in 2009 to its third owner, a Citroën aficionado and collector of some note, who lived in the same village. In his custody, the car was again used sparingly, but regularly, for shows and Citroën events.

Upon his acquisition, he immediately commissioned the essential engine works, inevitably required by all SMs, to ensure continued reliability and safe usage. The timing chain work has been carried out, embodying the acknowledged modifications, along with the modified oil pump drive and the replacement of the original sodium filled valves with stainless steel items. Only some 2,500 km has been covered since the execution of this work.

The mileage is confirmed by a continuous service history from new, stamped in the original service booklet and supported by a file full of invoices dating back to the early 1970s. Many of these are from the acknowledged and highly respected Citroën SM expert, Jean Blondeau. Recent work has included a new set of tyres and the fitting of a complete stainless steel exhaust system. Also present is the original driver's handbook and tools.

Now ready to start the next chapter of its life, this SM is supplied with a NOVA reference number and an MoT expiring February '17, enabling it ready to be registered with the DVLA to obtain a UK V5c and registration. Exceptional low mileage and historied SM's rarely come to market, making this offering a special prospect for any classic car collector.