1972 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 Citroëns 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.

The car we're pleased to offer here was supplied new in France and registered in October of 1972. The subject of significant restorative works in 2014 she's a fully functioning and sharp example with those aforementioned GT legs, peerless styling and fistfuls of charm to boot.

This restoration covered works to the suspension, steering, braking and cosmetics including a full strip down, repaint and rebuild with every part treated, cleaned and refitted before new leather seats and carpeting were installed. Attractively finished in Feuille Doree ("Champagne' to you and I) she sports a black leather interior, upgraded air conditioning, gleaming brightwork and European exterior styling with the increasingly sought-after covered headlights. Mechanically, close to £10,000 has been spent with respected UK-based SM Specialists, Andrew Brodie Engineering, to ensure she runs and drives as well as she looks. At Andrew's recommendation this included a fully rebuilt engine with replacement block to future proof many more miles of motoring for this car. The result is impressive with this SM running on the button and performing reliably and consistently, as you would expect. Offered for sale with French registration and a French log book, this reputed three-owner car is accompanied by a host of invoices, NOVA number, UK MOT to June 2016, original Citroën Manual (Notice d'Emploi) and certification from the SM Club of France relating to the car's production history.