There is no car like the Citroën SM. Nothing remotely like it has been built before or since by any manufacturer. The SM dropped jaws around the world when it launched in 1970, and George Dyke’s gold 1973 model still turns heads today.
When it was new, an SM could accelerate like a Porsche 911, corner like a Maserati, yet it rode as smoothly as a Rolls-Royce and had advanced features that were decades ahead of the competition. It looks like it escaped from the set of Total Recall and sounds like an Italian supercar. What is this alien craft?
The SM’s roots can be traced back to the equally groundbreaking Citroën DS. The DS was a supremely comfortable four-door sedan that was advanced in every way except its basic pushrod four-cylinder engine. In the late 1960’s, Citroën started development on a sporting GT version of the DS that would eventually become the SM. The DS’ advanced hydro-pneumatic self-levelling suspension was retained, along with the front-drive layout.
Where the SM differed from the DS mechanically was under the hood. Instead of the rickety four-pot engine that the DS made do with, the SM featured a smooth, high-revving 2.8-litre DOHC V6 from the Maserati Merak. The engine made 170 horsepower and a hauntingly beautiful sound. The cars that were equipped with power-sapping automatic transmissions had a larger 3.0-litre V6 that made 190 horsepower. Dyke’s car is somewhat of a hot rod, combining the 3.0-litre engine with a five-speed manual.
Dyke isn’t afraid to drive it like a hot rod, either. During our shoot, he kept the revs high as he flung the SM around turns with tires squealing. The sweetly acrid smell of unburnt hydrocarbons hung in the air each time he passed and after 20 minutes of back and forth passes to get the shots, the whole valley smelled like Spa Francorchamps in 1975. Lovely.
Ever since the 2CV’s and Ami’s of Montreal grabbed his attention as a young boy, Dyke has been captivated by Citroëns. His first classic car was a 2CV and he now has a stable full of classic Citroëns. For people interesting in buying their first Citroën, George recommends getting involved with the Citroën Autoclub of Canada.
“It’s all about driving and enjoying Citroëns,” he says.
