I’ve watched Citroën SMs sell at auction for a few years now, where generally only the best are offered – most particularly with manual gearboxes. Auctioneers have no problem attaining prices in the $40k to $60k range. But when it comes to privately offered examples, we see cars with mechanical issues or less desirable options. Today’s 1973 SM is going begging, making for an excellent opportunity to explore value differences in this French mechanical concoction. Introduced in 1970, the SM was meant to be a sporting version of Citroën’s DS, but in the end, it was less a derivative than a blank-sheet engineering triumph. The car introduced Citroën’s DIRAVI power-assisted steering technology, a refined version of its hydropneumatic system, swiveling headlights, and a sophisticated disc brake system. This car is being sold by its second owner with a host of original documents and receipts.
By the time the SM was launched, Citroën had purchased Maserati partially to gain access to a powerful motor that would remain within the bounds of France’s horsepower tax. The SM’s first engine was a ninety-degree 2.7-liter V6 developed by Giulio Alfieri producing about 170 hp. While performance was decent, it didn’t match Citroën’s competitors, many operating with V8 engines. An upgraded 3.0-liter version of the same engine brought a few more hp – about 178. That’s what we find here, coupled with a three-speed Borg Warner automatic. The seller notes that “everything works well” so we can assume that means the hydropneumatics are in good shape.
The interior sports leather bucket seats, Citroën’s characteristic single-spoke steering wheel, and color-matched carpets. The trunk contains the spare – still restrained by the factory-supplied leather straps – and a selection of tools. The sills, headliner, dash, and gauges are in great condition with minimal wear.
A wide variety of underside photos in the listing made choosing just one difficult! This example’s underside is kind of a thing of beauty – dry, dent-free, straight, with some evidence of new parts. This exhaust system, for instance, looks like a fairly recent addition.
The SM’s styling – like the DS’s – is otherworldly. The suggestion of fins in the rear, the long glass hatchback, small wheel spats, upswept waistline at the C-pillar – these elements proved that Citroën hadn’t lost its predilection for making a splash at Geneva. Offered in a rare and attractive blue, this second-owner SM hasn’t attracted even one bid at the opening price of $10,000 here on eBay. Its automatic gearbox is not helpful to its value, but I’m still surprised that this well-kept original is going begging. This similarly tidy example sold for over $18k just days ago. Meanwhile, the market prefers the manual ‘box, as demonstrated by this selection of auction results. Do you think the seller’s asking price is reasonable?
Yes. I’d have bid had I known it was there.
No longer available. Must have gotten an offer they couldn’t refuse!
The seller ended this listing on Fri, Aug 23 at 8:19 AM because the item got zero bids.
Was presented as a “prize” on Chicago’s WCFL “The Last Prize” contest … remember hearing the ads for it back in the early ’70s … don’t remember how that turned out …
Great, informative write-up, Michelle.
Bummer that the auction ended early like that.
fantastic styling (DS, SM) and I like when the europeans work cross border (look at models over 100 yr for the tidbits). But…
I must smile when seeing the ‘vacuum balls under the hood’, the jack shaft running the H2O pump (I guess that’s what it is), and numerous other quirks across the pound. Love to get one in the shop, not sure I’d own 1 tho. I’ve never seen a vid of these doing the 3 wheel cruze. In fact, I better go search now B4 I forget it…
Look up the “Car Wizard” on YouTube. His opening shows a DS in his garage driving on three wheels. He also has a couple of episodes on the same Citroen (1969, I think) and its purchase and repairs.
Parts for a low volume model will be difficult to find. Only 12,920 units were built over a 5 year production run with only 2037 sold Stateside and 396 in the Great White North.
IIRC, about the time of Citroen’s bankruptcy in the mid 1970’s, one of the automotive trade journals claimed that some new drivetrain components for the discontinued SM model went missing or were unaccounted for, potentially leaving customers in a bind for future repairs. A quick check of online sources for Citroen SM parts shows several firms offering aftermarket maintenance parts and supplies but, very few NOS mechanical or body parts. A couple shops offer rebuilt or used components. A group in the UK has a limited selection of NOS and used parts which they may consider using as patterns to produce reproduction parts ($$$).
SM buyers should have fat wallets.
This cars and I mean every one I have ever seen must really appeal to some folks, in my eyes they are one of the ugliest vehicles I have ever seen. I guess I don’t have that discerning eye?
I think the issue here was the Borg Warner automatics. A known detractor of this great design. My fist SM was cursed with one an when I later found a 5 speed it made all
The difference. Still a nice example. If I had room I would have bid. Hope it finds a good home somewhere and maybe a conversion to stick?