Citroen SM Maserati 1971

By March 3, 2017 No Comments

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Lot No: 63
Year Make Model Mileage SOLD FOR
1971 Citroen SM Maserati 49,600 KMS (Warranted) £42000 + buyers premium

Description:

This 1971 Citroen SM was first registered in Rennes, France on 21st January 1971. It is rare to find a car of this age in this condition, the body and paintwork being totally original- no welding or respraying undertaken.
Apart from a brief stay in Guernsey and the UK, it has spent a very relaxed life in France having had only 3 French owners. The service history can confirm the car, and whilst with owner number 3 it spent all of its time off the road as part of a small collection of vehicles.

Though Citroen has been toying with the idea of a fast sporty coupe, its four-cylinder engines just weren’t up to the job. But in 1968, Citroen took over Maserati, the famed Italian sports car builder, and suddenly the idea seemed plausible.
Soon after this merger was formalized, Citroen learned how resourceful, speedy and efficient Maserati’s designers could be. Accordingly, it asked the Italians to develop a new high performance engine of about 2.7 ltr (French car taxes took a vertical leap above 2.8 ltr displacement) that might power a sportier Citroen and a new Maserati.
The result was a 90 degree V6 with twin overhead camshafts per cylinder bank, actually a close relative of Maserati’s existing right angle quad cam V8. With 170 BHP in standard form it was deemed suitable not only for the new Citroen but a downmarket version of Maserati’s mid -engine Bora. The latter, called Merak, was tuned initially for 190 horsepower, later 220 bhp.
Like the DS sedans, of course, the SM demanded a totally different driving technique. Its steering, for example, is not only super quick but super light, so easy to turn too sharply into a corner. It’s just as easy to stand the car on its nose by being overly enthusiastic with the pressure sensitive brake button. But if you could adjust to its idiosyncrasies, the SM was an ideal choice for long, fast journeys across Europe- which was, after all, what it was designed for. High speed performance is relaxed, aided by unusually good aerodynamics (long a Citroen passion) and that smooth, supple ride.

This superb car is privately entered from Guernsey, comes with a very comprehensive service history including 10 stamps in the book, plus a folder full of receipts and invoices, original handbook, its worth noting that the last UK MOT expiring on 18-02-17 had no advisories.
Will need to be UK registered.

Auctioneers notes: This iconic French grand tourer is quite outstanding, the interior is like new, she is beautiful to look at with 6 headlights lighting your way. You need to come and look at this one.

Lot No. 63
Auction 28th April 2017 - 91% SOLD
Vehicle Make Citroen
Vehicle Model SM Maserati
Year of Manufacture 1971
Mileage 49,600 KMS (Warranted)
Registration 53559
Date first Registered 27-01-1971
MOT None
Chassis Number 00590011262
Engine Number 00SB1309
Estimated Sale Price £27,000 - 29,000

Please note: Current engine and chassis numbers are supplied by HPI. Prospective buyers are advised to satisfy themselves as to the condition of a vehicle and the accuracy of any statement made, be they statements of fact or opinion. All vehicles are sold as seen. If you cannot attend the auction please contact the office for a walk around description over the phone.

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