1972 Citroen SM 3.0 V6 Coupe (LHD)

Description

The astonishing, bizarre and beautiful Maserati-engined Citroen SM was surely one of the standout motor cars of the 1970s, and yet for many years seemed to be appreciated only by marque aficionados. It has only been in recent years that the unique character of this most covetable of all Citroëns has begun to receive the wider recognition it has always deserved. Having purchased Maserati in 1968, Citroën management invited chief engineer Alfieri to design a V6 engine to power a new flagship coupe. Alfieri modified an existing V8 by the simple of expedient of removing two cylinders. The resultant 2760cc 90-degree unit made 180 brake horsepower. A special five-speed manual gearbox was developed for the SM. No other sports car combines the beauty of the SM’s streamline with a plush interior which could only be French, the marque’s trademark hydro-pneumatic suspension and a lusty Maserati V6 engine. The power steering is a salient element in the car’s unique character, with just two turns from lock to lock: high performance, sybaritic luxury, supple ride, brilliant handling and braking, the Citroën SM has it all!  In 1972, an enlarged 190-horsepower engine was fitted and these later SMs – capable of 139 miles per hour – are even more highly-sought than the originals.