1972 Citroen SM 5-speed - ready to drive

This a highly reliable. well-sorted SM. I know the previous four owners. going back 20 years of the car's history. All of them are respected members of the Citroen owners community.

The car has been well cared for and driven regularly. and is ready to take you anwhere. It has attended the Citroen Rendezvous at Saratoga Springs. New York for the last eight years. It also made the drive from its home base near New York City to Kentucky to attend David Hume's meets at Excelsior Motors.

Most of the major mechanical work in the recent past has been done at my shop in upstate New York.

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PHOTOS

Please click here to see over one hundred photos of this car.
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Engine
The Maserati V6 engine runs strongly and smoothly. and starts easily hot or cold. This past May I drove the car on an 800 mile trip to Carlisle. Pennsylvia and back. and it performed flawlessly. It used only half a quart of oil for the whole trip. which is very low oil usage for an SM.

It has a van Rootselaar  electronic ignition - the best. in my opinion. The top timing chains were replaced in 2008 and the rear chain was checked a year ago. The tensioner is now at 22 mm; we replace them at 27mm. so it will go for quite a while before replacement is needed. The valves have been checked and adjusted about every two years.

The carburetors were recently rebuilt.

The headers are steel European type. from the heads to the front muffler. The rest of the exhaust is stainless steel from the front muffler to the tips in the back. It would now cost over $4000 installed.

Transmission
This SM has the desirable five-speed manual transmission. It shifts well and does not make noise.

Hydraulic system
The hydraulic system has fresh LHM and a clean filter. The steering rack was rebuilt last year. which cost $1300 plus removal and installation. The hydraulic pump was rebuilt two years ago.

The suspension system has the SM World anti-roll valves installed. The suspension is tight and does not make any noise; it rides great and handles well.

The spheres are in excellent shape. but we will rebuild or replace any that are low on pressure before delivery to the new owner.

Alternator
The alternator has been upgraded to a higher-powered unit that charges very well during low-RPM city driving.

Air conditioning
The air conditioning system was upgraded last year with a new AC compressor and condenser. set up for R134A refrigerant. It cools very well.

Windows
The windshield was replaced last fall at a cost of $2000. At that time the front and rear glass was completely sealed to the body around the stainless steel trim. so there are no leaks into the interior of the car or trunk. All the other glass is good and the power windows go up and down properly.

Tires
The tires are Michelin XVGTs. some of the last V-rated tires that were available. They have about 1/2 tread and should last a couple more years.

Frame
The frame is in excellent condition with no visible rust - please look at our many photos.

Body
The body needs paint and there is some bubbling on the bottoms of the doors and one front fender. When we got the car last year it had been in a minor front end collision which damaged the European headlights. The Euro headlights were removed and replaced with a US-version light system. (The Euro headlights could be repaired and reinstalled; they will be available to the winning bidder as a separate purchase. ) The hood and left front fender were replaced after the collision. which is why they are a different color. The bumpers are in very nice condition. although the bumper rubbers have some small imperfections. The rest of the trim is good.

Interior
The interior is in good shape. The dashboard is excellent. and the seats are soft and comfortable. The carpets are a little soiled but have clean carpet covers over them. The previous owner put a DS-style stainless steel sill protector on the driver side to protect the carpet as you get in and out of the car. The headliner is loose in some spots but not coming down. As the photos show. the interior has a pleasing patina appropriate to its age. The clock works. too!

Extras
This car has a right side outer mirror that was added by a previous owner. a safety feature for driving in traffic.

It has an excellent sounding newer radio/CD player with four upgraded speakers. The previous owner also installed a Harmon Kardon IPod controller with a read out on the dash.

The electric antenna works well.

A third brake light has been installed in the middle of the lower rear red panel. It illuminates the whole back of the car when braking.

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This is a superb driving car. and you could enjoy it as it is. fix the cosmetic issues. or make it a truly outstanding example with a full body restoration.

Before delivery to the new owner we will change the oil and filter. lubricate the chassis. and give it a full check over.

I will personally drive the SM to its new home within a 200 mile radius of our shop. If you need delivery at a greater distance. I will be happy to work with your shipper to facilitate a smooth pickup.

This car will be sold with a transferable New York registration. New York does not issue titles for vehicles manufactured before August of 1973. Ebay does not provide a non-title option in their menus. so we had to select "Clear".

The SM is being sold "as is" without any warranty. stated or implied.

Please feel free to ask questions about this car's condition and history.

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About us
We have been in business working on Citroens for 27 years. and before that I worked for four years at the Citroen dealership in Albany. New York. I am proud of my shop's reputation in the Citroen community and work hard to uphold it with every transaction.

- Dave Burnham

Also published at eBay.com

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