1973 CITROËN SM

KEY FACTS

• A fully restored example of the innovative and stylish grand tourer, with genuine motorsport provenance.
• It is powered by a 2.7-litre Maserati V6, which produces around 170bhp and drives the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
• Built in 1971, this SM was first registered to Citroen UK in 1973 for use in the Avon Tour of Britain. Piloted by Formula One driver Howden Ganley with then Autocar editor Ray Hutton navigating, the car finished in 18th place, ahead of Graham Hill in his Datsun Bluebird.
• The car has also featured in the Citroen Owners’ Club magazine a number of times, and has mostly been driven on local rallies and club events during the seller’s ownership, including a 2,000 mile tour around France.

EQUIPMENT AND OPTIONS

• Specified without air-conditioning, this is regarding as a desirable omission among some enthusiasts, with the factory-fitted system being known to cause engine issues as a result of the additional torque applied to the layshaft.
• The car is believed to be almost entirely standard, save for its uprated timing chains and valve stems, which address some common SM issues.
• This SM will be accompanied by information on all of its previous owners and invoices and details of its restoration. The seller is also supplying the car’s original owner’s manual, repair manual and technical data handbook.
• Fantastic photo documentation of the Avon Tour of Britain accompanies the car, as shown in the photo gallery, bringing its unique provenance to life.

CONDITION

• It is believed that some of the body panels may have been replaced by Citroen following the Tour of Britain rally – though there is no record of any significant damage.
• Fully resprayed during the car’s restoration, the light blue paintwork is in excellent condition, with no substantial marks or blemishes to speak of.
• Inside, the cabin has been reupholstered in vibrant blue cloth, and presents very well, with no wear or damage to the seats, and with a slight patina to the rest of the trim.
• There are no known electrical faults, though the vendor recommends that the buyer replaces the windscreen wiper rheostat and the display lighting, while the heater controls are also somewhat vague.
• Mechanically, the car is in good health. The vendor notes that it would benefit from replacement of the the nearside upper ball joint, the nearside steering joint, the offside lower ball joint and the oil cooler pipes.
• Now exempt due to its age, this classic Citroen’s last MOT test was conducted on 9 June 2016 at 71,737 miles, resulting in a clean, first-time pass.

SERVICE HISTORY

• This SM’s most recent routine maintenance was carried out in October 2015 at 71,670 miles by B.L. Autos & Sons. In addition to changing the engine oil, oil filter, gearbox oil and alternator belt, they also replaced the rear suspension spheres, the pressure regulator, and the oil cooler.
• Prior to this, the car was treated to a full, bare-metal restoration and engine rebuild, using solid valve stems and new timing chains for enhanced reliability.

SUMMARY

Presented in excellent restored condition, this Citroen SM is one of very few examples with genuine motorsport pedigree, having been campaigned on the 1973 Avon Tour of Britain by Formula One driver Howden Ganley. Supplied with extensive documentation of its history, this charming luxury grand tourer will make a fine addition to any collection, and a swift and stylish long distance tourer.

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All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.