CLASSIC OF THE DAY
FROM THE SHOWROOM OF
HYMAN LTD
1972 CITROEN SM COUPE
In 1968, Citroen purchased Maserati with plans to take advantage of the Italian company’s experience with high-performance engines. The goal was to design a GT car that combined Citroen’s highly advanced hydropneumatic suspension system with the power of a Maserati V-6. The result was the SM, the car first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1970 that would become Citroen’s flagship automobile for the next five years. Brilliantly designed and styled, it massively impressed the automotive journalists of the day with its blend of speed, braking, handling and comfort which, like its shape, was unlike anything available in another automobile at the time. It even became the first non-American car to winMotor Trend’s Car of the Year Award.
The SM’s Maserati built V-6 displaced just 2,670cc but breathed through three Weber downdraft carbs. Enlarged to 2,965cc for the 1973 and later cars, even smog-equipped for US deliveries it made 190hp at 6,250rpm. Available with a 5-speed automatic or manual transmissions, it had disc brakes on all four corners. It also carried over the remarkable self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension from the DS, and introduced a new type of variable assist power steering dubbed DIRAVI. The unique and attractive bodywork was penned in-house by chief designer Robert Opron, and gave the car a still very impressive drag coefficient of 0.26. With a top speed of 140 miles per hour, it was the fastest front-wheel drive car in the world in its day. A true technical marvel with no shortage of unique characteristics or charm, the Citroen SM is one of the most memorable cars of the 1970s.
This 1972 Citroen SM is a well-sorted and highly original example finished in fly yellow over a brown leather interior. It is equipped with the later 2,965cc engine, desirable five-speed manual gearbox, power steering, power brakes and an AM/FM radio. It has been painted once but otherwise has remained a solid, lightly operated and well-maintained car. Although the systems in these classic SMs are complex, this example has been fully sorted and runs, drives, shifts and steers very well. It will be a fun, reliable vintage car to enjoy on a regular basis as well as a fascinating and rewarding piece of automotive design history that attracts a crowd intrigued by its unique coachwork design and unusually sophisticated drivetrain, suspension and brakes.
history
Hyman Ltd. Classic Cars was created in 1989 as a result of Mark Hyman’s interest in antique, classic and special interest automobiles. Beginning in a small rented garage of approximately 4,000 sq ft., the business quickly grew and in 1992 was moved to a new 12000 sq ft. building in Ferguson, MO.
In 2004, we moved to our current location — a beautiful 35,000 sq ft. facility located near the St. Louis International Airport. In 2014 we added an additional 32,000 sq ft. adjacent to our current location. Today, our state of the art 67,000 sq ft. facility houses our sales department, restoration, repair facilities as well as our showroom and administrative offices.
At Hyman Ltd., we specialize in the acquisition and sale of prewar Classic automobiles and post war American collectible cars, as well as both pre and post war sports cars. We are well known for having some of the most unusual collector vehicles and we strive to find something that you have never heard of.
We aggressively search throughout the country for cars that meet our standards of quality and desirability. We act as principals in the purchase of the cars, and while we do accept select consignments, the vast majority of the vehicles on hand are owned by Hyman Ltd. We cater to collectors and museums both in the United States and internationally. As a result, we are quite well versed in the intricate procedures sometimes associated with shipping vehicles to other parts of the world.
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