An excellent example of the rare and stunning SM, a striking space age design both visually and mechanically that continues to turn heads today. A European supplied matching numbers example, it remains faithful to its original specification and has matching numbers. It must be one of the finest examples in existence following an excellent documented restoration of a very original low mileage car with just five owners from new. 

This lovely example was supplied when new to an enthusiast in Amalfi, Southern Italy in late 1973 having left the factory on the 15th September that year. Finished in the age-appropriate shade Or de Simiane, most factory options were specified including full black leather interior, air conditioning and the rather marvellous and unique Continental Edison stereo system. 

This original owner retained the car into his old age, only selling it to a Citroen enthusiast in Belgium on the 13th of November 1991, the Italian had hardly used the car hence it had a very low mileage and remained very original other than for a repaint in black and the popular conversion from its original troublesome injection system to the triple carburettor set up of earlier SM’s carried out in its first years. The car languished in dry storage whilst resident in Belgium, its increasingly aged owner never quite finding the time to address its refurbishment. 

A London based SM enthusiast and previous owner of five examples heard of this Belgium based example and tried to buy it many times, however the elderly owner was now rather unwell and his widow refused to sell the car whilst he was still alive. Eventually, in 2016, this enthusiast managed to buy the SM and he travelled to La Louviere, one hour south of Brussels to collect it. Photographs on file show the car arriving back in London on a transporter. 

A year after purchase in 2017 the SM was sent to well-known Citroen restoration specialists Garajul Francez in Bucharest, Romania. Following a full inspection a 3000-hour four year nut and bolt restoration commenced. The restoration was extremely comprehensive however the car was highly original with no accident damage and very little corrosion as can be seen in the many restoration photographs on file. There was a small amount of corrosion to the lower front wings which was expertly repaired. Removing the multi layers of underbody under seal revealed a pleasing lack of corrosion, indeed no other corrosion was found in the shell. 

The mechanical elements of the car were similarly fully restored and an engine strip revealed no evident wear. The original sodium filled valves were present and there was no evidence of the engine having been taken apart previously. Compression and oil pressure readings were excellent. This all further evidencing that the recorded low mileage is an accurate and true reading.

Suffice it to say every aspect of the car was addressed during this work with every component being refurbished or replaced as necessary, this is fully documented on file and in the previously mentioned restoration photo library. Fortunately the restoration company had many original new old stock SM parts in stock from previous work which greatly aided the restoration progress including for example new front and rear screens which unusually meant it was possible to remove the originals in order to fully inspect and restore the structure. 

The car returned to London from its four-year restoration in 2021 but unfortunately due to illness the owner who commissioned the work had to sell it. Unsurprisingly it sold very quickly to a significant private collector, again based in London who had admired the SM since childhood. 

During this ownership the car was looked after by Citroen specialist Andrew Brodie Engineering. Indeed, he spent a further £12,000 replacing things like the sometimes troublesome sodium valves in the engine, the hydropneumatic spheres, air conditioning and fans to ensure optimum performance and reliability.

The last owner, a fastidious collector who will entertain only the finest examples in his significant private collection purchased the SM in January 2023. Following purchase it had been used minimally, however, it has once again had time and money lavished upon it with a full inspection by Bill McGrath Maserati. An invoice from them amounting to £9,000 covers a full service and rectification of any faults found however trivial. 

Today the car presents in superb order throughout and certainly benefits from the lovely original patinated black leather interior. It certainly does impress on the drive, performing in that special Citroen way, the miles passing by in a rapid but comfortable manner with a wonderful and accurate smoothness once one acclimatises to what will be a unique driving experience to the uninitiated. It provides a wonderful tonic to the increasing motoring blandness of today’s cars. 

This super SM comes with the above-mentioned substantial history file including an original SM brochure, spare keys and handbook pack. A very rare Venetian blind specifically for the SM rear window in its original packing is in the boot and the very rare and expensive to purchase Edison Continental has been fully refurbished with modern internals with Bluetooth. A new and correct Hirschmann aerial has recently been fitted. In summary, it’s ready to enjoy.