Vintage Citroen SM garage

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

The SM looks great however the V6 engine is a big pain in terms of reliability.
Blown head gaskets are frequent and the accessibility to the engine components is difficult. If I had one I would definitly modify it with a different engine like a modern small block Chevy if it can be installed with the front transmission. I'm sure that can easily be done in the UK !

Never say never, I guess, but with the SM sharing the Ds almost unique mid-engined front wheel drive configuration, and space under that beautiful bonnet already exceptionally crowded, I'm none too sure you'd get a Chevrolet to fit. The SM engine as I mentioned is incredibly compact and, Citroën being Citroën, they were determined to fill every spare inch they could with anything they could fit in. Still, I could be wrong.
Regards,
Brett

 

[Dralowid]

Hi Brett,

Sitting in my garage I still have a DS23EFI BVH Pallas in Bleu d'Orient and tabac leather. Tinted windows etc etc, right hand drive. It has just passed it's MOT and has clocked up only 60,000 miles in the last 40 years. Much as I'd love an M9 or somesuch, the car stays, I've had a D for 30 years.

We are just back from a couple of weeks in the Melbourne area, Willy and Yarra. Although I've seen Ds in the city before it was a surprise, to say the least, to see an SM just outside Healsville!

I have never really come to terms with the SM. Not sure why...but I am starting to look enviously at series I turbo CXs and even early GSs.

OK, so I have a passing interest in postwar Citroens as well as pre war Leicas...

Michael