14 reasons why the Citroën SM is a icon.

14 reasons why the Citroën SM is a icon.

Posted on 24-03-2016 at 19:37 by willeme – 61 Comments”

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And that number 14 is not selected by chance.

1: The SM is designed by Robert Opron
Opron may zef also feel free to an icon called. Where designers such as Ercole Spada, Marcello Gandini, and Harvey Earl huge left their mark on their designs, gold that are not for Robert Opron. “A autodesigner should never forget that he was servant to a car manufacturer. Not the other way around.” We look at the impressive portfolio of the best man, then we see that the generally understated, but elegant designs. The SM is his masterpiece.

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2: There is a Maserati engine
I spoke to my old neighbor last, that have nothing to with cars. He saw the Citroexpert (with a SM on the cover) on the coffee table and said: “That’s who Citroën with a Maserati engine?” The Italian brand was used by Citroën purchased in 1968 with the SM in mind. The block (factory code: C114) is a derivative of the engine from the Merak, but tuned for torque at the bottom and comfort. This block would later also be used for the Biturbo.

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3: The SM has a very low luchtweerstandscoëfficient
A Cw value of 0.26 is still an excellent value. This he could achieve by the droplet shape and the lack of air intakes. For the SM also wider than behind, just like the DS. The SM was designed so that two couples could sit, the men in the front, and the (hopefully) slim ladies in the back.

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4: A SM has a stylish and unique interior
Yellow headlights behind perspex and a black plate with silver letters. Much cooler than that, it is not. Definitely a dark blue SM with cognac-coloured velour. Because velvet was more stylish and luxurious than leather. Doctrine was for the plebs. It was, however, available.

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5: The SM is not to be sporty, tailored
Read all of the brochures, but after today all cars suitable for people with a dynamic lifestyle. Not so with the Citroën SM. Allees stood in the sign to be as comfortable as possible for long distances, possibly at high speed. That cruise took it very seriously, because with the 90 (!) gallon tank you could get very far.

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6: The SM was ahead of its time
The SM had the speed-sensitive power steering, light at low speeds and heavier as the speed increases. Optional wheels made of carbon/glass fiber composite which is half of a standaardwiel weighed. Regensensors (sort of). Of course, also with hydro-pneumatic suspension with self-levelling suspension. The Lemon had it all. Safe even: no car stopped as well as a Citroën SM in that time.

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7: It was a very fast Citroen
On a single Facel Vega after there were no Grand Tourers of French descent. The French car industry, focusing on the middle class. The Citroën DS was already a step in the right direction, but the SM was really an exclusive and fast car. Partly due to the previously mentioned Maserati engine, but also by the once again, previously named air resistance. The specified top speed is 220 km/u, but that seems to be a rather retain problem. Completely in style with the car. The US versions had a slightly stronger 3.0 V6. The later versions with fuel injection instead of carburetors pulled even 228 km/h. This is the SM faster than any Car which you currently can order.

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8: Also on the white screen a heldenauto
Everyone knows the mega hilarious Top Gear episode: The Interceptors. In which 70’s you had a lot of that kind of series, probably for the cars of that time to be able to show. Obviously, the Citroën SM is also a private show: You could regularly see in the series ‘the Protectors’.

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9: This Frenchman was also in the US, appreciated
Usually it is not a success story: French cars, and the country of Uncle Sam. However, the SM was special enough for the rich in America. In 1972 won the SM the title Motor Trend Car of The Year award, very special for a non American car. American versions had, however, other lamps, because the co-steering lamps were not allowed in the States. 2,400 were there sold.

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10: The technical basis was good enough for the motorsport
Despite that athleticism, however, was the last where the SM was designed for, turned out to be a good basis for long-distance rallies. In 1971 won the SM with Jean Deschazeaux and Jean Placard in the rally of Morocco.

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11: It would be the ideal limousine can be
Although Citroen managing director Pierre Bercot passionately against the idea of a four-door SM, ventured Henri Chapron on the SM Opera. The idea was to make this car technique to to share with with the second generation Quattroporte from Maserati. There are only 5 pieces of built.

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12: It would even be the ideal cabriolet can be
Next to the Opera house showed coachbuilder Chapron also release a cabriolet version of the SM, due to the high demand. Now you can get that ‘big’ into perspective, because in the end, were the only six pieces. Chapron, however, was concerned with the lines of the SM, because both the Opera and this Mylord were by Robert Opron designed.

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13: It was (partly) the inspiration of the Citroën C6
We just have to wait how DS brand is going to develop, but with the passing of the C6, there are few really stylish cars. As the SM you could see the C6 get with a V6 from a noble brand, this time Jaguar (the diesel version, almost nobody bought the benzinevariant). Recently I saw a C6 next to a new Audi RS6, and then you realize how incredibly macho and hopelessly vulgar as German is. A C6 does not have to prove, just like the SM. Certainly, in the Auberginerood with cream leather (see picture) still a very aristocratic appearance. Convinced? Check here where you should pay attention to if you one want to buy.

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Number Fourteen: Famous owners
Brian Johnson, Jay Leno, Bill Wyman, Carlos Santana, several dictators and presidents. But the most famous was still a young to blow out of Betondorp. This boy would grow to become one of the greatest Dutchmen of all time. Citroën Nederland played cleverly and offered him a lease SM in the time that he has all the records with Ajax to shreds lap. The Citroen SM had therefore also in the Netherlands a legendary status. That boyish face, that smug grimace on his face. That they above but a SM for him to have ready.


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