***Images supplied by vendor*** ***Notice to UK bidders: the import tax on cars from the EU is 5%***
HIGHLIGHTS
• Lovely, restored example
• No known corrosion
• Full ownership history • Only two previous owners
• Immaculate interior
THE APPEAL
The SM was the high watermark of Citroën’s ownership of Maserati – a stunningly styled sports GT with a 2.7-litre Maserati V6 engine, allied to hydraulic weirdness and the smoothest ride of any coupé ever produced.
From its rotunda-style dials to its glass rear hatch, it defies convention in every way.
Styled by legendary French designer Robert Opron, the SM is regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever produced. And they don’t come much more beautiful than the one you see here, a terrific restored car in original-style condition, with a full history and lots of recent bills.
The SM’s ownership history is known and recorded from new, building up a picture of a car that has always been in the custody of, and cared for by enthusiasts.
This vehicle was purchased on 05/05/1974 by a Mr André Delabre in Flobecq, Belgium, via Garage Citroën SPRL De Keyser and sons in the same town.
Mr Delabre kept the SM right up until 1991 when he traded it in at the same garage against a brand-new XM and the garage owner, Mr De Keyser, kept it for several years thereafter, moving to Spain when he closed the Citroën garage in 1992 and retired, taking the SM with him.
It then lived in Tarragona but was a regular visitor to car shows in his native Belgium, with regular drives across France.
He had the engine rebuilt in 2000, followed by a body restoration in 2001. Unfortunately, soon after he had to give up driving following a traffic accident (not in the SM) and the car stood idle until 2017 when it was acquired by the current owner, who took it upon himself to finish the restoration.
It comes with a selection of recent invoices for work carried to complete it, plus a number of older invoices, documents and bills from early in its life. It recently passed it Control Technique, the French roadworthiness test. IMG_7240.JPG4.37 MB
THE INTERIOR
• Very well presented
• Stunning black leather
• Period Blaupunkt stereo
The SM has beautiful black leather seats in excellent order offset by tan carpets.
The cabin is in wonderful order with no obvious faults. All of the dials and controls work as they should and the roof lining is also in excellent order.
The vendor has sourced and fitted a period Blaupunkt Coburg stereo.IMG_7231.JPG3.76 MB
THE EXTERIOR
• Lovely restoration
• Finished in original colour
• New tyres
Finished in its original shade of Bregancon Blue, the SM looks fabulous from every angle and is said by the vendor to be completely free of corrosion.
It certainly looks the part and is in very smart order throughout. It has four new Michelin tyres and the body trim and chrome is all in fine order.
The vendor says that the SM drives perfectly with no mechanical issues. It has recently been serviced and has new front and rear brakes.
Other work carried out includes a recored radiator, new suspension spheres, new unleaded-fuel compatible solid valves, timing chain tensioners, battery, partial exhaust, fuel pump and a new air conditioning compressor (yes, the air con works and accepts modern gases!). As per Citroën's own recommendations the AC can now be fully turned off, these are driven by the camshaft and were known to cause premature wear.
The electrics have also been improved with additional relays to lighten the load on the system, a desirable upgrade. There are also recent bills with cleaning of the injectors as well as new seals from specialist Atelier Automobile. IMG_7249.JPG3.61 MB
The SM is one of the most iconic French classics and this is a truly fantastic example that has been owned by enthusiasts for all of its life, having been properly restored and diligently maintained.
It now represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most beautiful cars of all-time, which is guaranteed to be a sensible long-term investment as well…
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