1973 CITROËN SM MASERATI

The 1973 Citroën SM Maserati is a true icon of automotive design and engineering, blending the best of French innovation with Italian performance. This luxurious grand tourer, produced by Citroën from 1970 to 1975, represents a unique collaboration with Maserati, resulting in a vehicle that was ahead of its time in both style and technology.

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The Citroën SM's design is striking and aerodynamic, characterized by its sleek, elongated body and distinctive glass-covered headlights. The car's shape was meticulously crafted to minimize drag, with a low front end that seamlessly transitions to a tapered rear. This design was not just about aesthetics; it was also about performance and efficiency. The SM featured advanced aerodynamics for its era, contributing to its impressive top speed and stability at high velocities.

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Inside, the SM offered a blend of luxury and futuristic design. The dashboard was a marvel of ergonomic innovation, featuring oval gauges and a unique single-spoke steering wheel, which was designed to provide better visibility of the instrument cluster. High-quality materials and comfortable, supportive seats made the SM a pleasure to drive on long journeys. The interior also showcased Citroën's attention to detail, with features like the ashtray and cigarette lighter hidden under a small roller blind in the center console—an example of the thoughtful design touches that were ahead of their time.

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At the heart of the 1973 Citroën SM was a Maserati-sourced 2.7-liter V6 engine. This powerplant was capable of producing around 170 horsepower, enabling the car to achieve a top speed of approximately 137 mph. The engine was known for its smoothness and performance, thanks to its advanced design and precision engineering. In some models, the engine was paired with a Borg-Warner automatic transmission, while others featured a 5-speed manual gearbox, catering to different driving preferences.

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The SM was equipped with Citroën's legendary hydropneumatic suspension system, which provided an unparalleled ride quality. This system allowed the car to maintain a constant ride height, regardless of load, and offered adjustable suspension settings for different driving conditions. Combined with the car's front-wheel-drive layout, the SM handled exceptionally well, with precise steering and a smooth, comfortable ride that made it a standout in its class.

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The braking system of the Citroën SM was equally advanced, featuring disc brakes on all four wheels. The brakes were power-assisted by the high-pressure hydraulic system, ensuring strong and consistent stopping power. This, combined with the car's balanced weight distribution, contributed to its excellent handling and safety.

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The Citroën SM was packed with innovative features that were rare or unheard of at the time. These included the DIRAVI (Direction à Rappel Asservi) variable assist power steering, which provided increased steering assistance at low speeds and reduced assistance at higher speeds, enhancing both maneuverability and stability. The car also featured a self-leveling system for the headlights, ensuring optimal illumination regardless of the car's load or road conditions.

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After six years of production (1969-1975), only 12,920 SMs were built, and unsurprisingly, there was no replacement. Citroën, known for defying conventional wisdom, powered this beautiful GT with a Maserati 2.7-liter, 4-cam aluminum V6 engine and a Citroën 5-speed gate-controlled manual transmission. The SM has Citroën’s driver-adjustable hydropneumatic suspension, which also powers the inboard front disc brakes, and the DIRAVI adaptive, speed-sensitive, self-centering power steering. The unmatched style, engineering, and driving experience earned the SM the 1972 Motor Trend Car of the Year. The Maserati-derived 60-degree V6 was an engineering marvel, though prone to timing chain problems.