1971 Citroen SM
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Baujahr1971
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Chassisnummer000SB3352
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MotornummerC114 71103643
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Losnummer310
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LenkungLenkung links
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ZustandGebraucht
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Zahl der Sitze2
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Standort
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AußenfarbeSonstige
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Antrieb2wd
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KraftstoffPetrol
Beschreibung
The property of Bill Wyman
1971 Citröen SM Coupé
Registration no. HGC 226J
Chassis no. 000SB3352
Engine no. C114 71103643
Combining Citröen's advanced chassis technology and Maserati's engine know-how, the SM (Série Maserati) featured DS-style hydro-pneumatic self-levelling suspension, power-assisted all-round disc brakes, self-centring steering and steered headlamps. Citröen had bought Maserati in 1968, principally to acquire the latter's engine technology for its new top-of-the-range Gran Turismo coupé, and the Italian firm responded to the brief with remarkable speed by the simple expedient of chopping two cylinders off its Indy four-cam 90-degree V8 to create the required V6. After some juggling of engine dimensions, a capacity of 2,670cc was settled on for a power output of 170bhp. Citröen was the world leader in passenger car aerodynamics at the time, the SM's class-leading drag coefficient enabling it to reach 140mph, making it the fastest front-wheel-drive car ever at that time. Fuel injection arrived in 1972, an automatic transmission option became available the following year and the engine was enlarged to 2,974cc before the model was prematurely axed in 1975 following Citröen's acquisition by Peugeot. Fondly remembered, these technically advanced and functionally beautiful cars remain highly sought after today.
Bill Wyman took delivery of this Citröen SM on Friday 4th June 1971 at his house in Grasse, in the Alpes Maritimes, France. The car was registered '958 RU 06'. 'The minute I saw the SM, I thought, this is it!' Bill recalled. 'It looked so beautiful. They showed me that amazing engine and the double headlights, and I thought, incredible! I fell in love with it.'
Between 1971 and 1982 Bill was living in the South of France and frequently drove the SM from his new home in Vence to Paris where the Rolling Stones recorded the albums Some Girls, Emotional Rescue and Tattoo You. 'I'd drive it to Keith Richards' place, miles away in Cap Ferrat, to record the Exile on Main Street album,' said Bill, 'and I'd drive to Paris and back, an eight-hour journey each way. It was so easy to drive.
'I became great friends with Marc Chagall, Cesar, and James Baldwin over the years, and I'd drive over to their homes on the Côte d'Azur. I'd also drive to Monte Carlo to hang out with Ringo and Spiros and Philip Niarchos of the Greek shipping family.
'I drove it to Spain, to Marseille, to Portofino in Italy, and back to England a few times. Oh, and of course to Switzerland. I went there twice to play at the Montreux Jazz Festival. The first time was with Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells and Pinetop Perkins. Then three years later I drove there to play with Muddy Waters again.'
On Tuesday 27th March 1984 Bill's Citröen SM was imported from France into the UK and registered as 'HGC 226J'. Since 1985 it has been stored in Bill's private collection together with almost every car he has ever owned, the only exceptions being his very first Morris Minor 1000 Traveller and an MGB from 1964.
On Wednesday 19th October 2014 Bill's Citröen SM was collected for renovation by Tony Davey. (Tony is the man that rebuilt Roger Moore's The Saint car and dozens of other classics dating from the 1930s to the present day). 'HGC 226J' currently displays a total of 58,683 kilometres on the odometer and comes with a V5C document and MoT to January 2016. The original French numberplates are in the boot.
'Over the years I have turned down many offers but when the car was returned and I saw the results I felt it would be a bit of a waste to put it back into storage,' Bill confessed. 'I realise there are many car enthusiasts who would not only appreciate it but also take care of it and love it the way I have over the years.'