Vintage Citroen SM garage

[ped]

I went to a garage owned by a chap I met at the most recent Citroen C6 meet. It's called BL Autos in Hertfordshire.

A couple of chaps from the C6 club/forum said they would be there for a chat and so forth. I had booked my C6 in for a gearbox oil change (it's a sealed unit but it's definitely a good idea to change the oil because it was filthy!)

What followed was an amazing morning looking at and driving some amazing cars, not least of which was a dream SM in light silver. I was very nervous at first but it's easy when you settle into it... the brakes I was used to, but the steering is so fast. I loved the feel of the gear change and it felt like it really needed to be 'driven'.

Here are some snaps I took, anyway.

Sorry for all those who aren't interested in cars!

Properly saving for an SM now... I put down a £10 deposit on one recently imported from Connecticut (3L manual on carbs)

ped

Others here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiscocks/sets/72157629198160158/

 

[bidnez]

The SM must have been amazing stuff! The closest I ever got was my ´79 CX estate. I see the point of fast steering - the servo of the CX was almost shocking at first. 😀

 

[Griffin]

Absolutely one of the coolest cars ever built.

 

[Austerby]

Wonderful cars - utterly unlike anything else. Truly innovative design - sadly not followed through. Always had a soft spot for Citroens (I'm a former 2CV owner) and 1970's French cars generally - the combination of soft ride and great road-holding always felt superior to the hard Germanic approach that actually won out. I learnt to drive in my father's 1972 Renault 12TL and my first car was a 1974 Renault 5, complete with dash-mounted gear change.

 

[ped]

You can really see the design lineage from the DS to the SM then the CX to the C6

 

[Paulbe]

ped--great pix and thanks for sharing!
The SM IS a beauty!
It has a Maserati engine?
Paul

 

[ped]

ped--great pix and thanks for sharing!
The SM IS a beauty!
It has a Maserati engine?
Paul

Thanks!yeah that's right. Sounds lovely.

 

[dee]

When we went to the Citroen importers to pick up our new Dyane , in 1970 , we were treated to a sneak preview - I should have taken a camera .

 

[Richard G]

The SM is stunning. Philip Law, an Antarctic explorer, used to drive around Melbourne in an ice blue one. There's a smoky silver one often in Parkville in inner Melbourne. In Queensland there's a firm that does SM reconditions exclusively. You can order what you want in modern interior conveniences. Last I looked it was around $70,000.

I remember the first time I saw a C6, in Paris 2006. I nearly fell over. A couple of my colleagues have them and they are now likely to start trickling onto the second hand market in Australia. The 2.7L diesel is likely to be discounted in comparison to the later 3.0L so I am considering trading my current model C5 for one. It's a car I would not want to miss out on owning and driving.

I read two books by Tony Judt the historian while on holiday in January. He died of motor neuron disease and his memoir 'Memory Chalet' has a section on cars in his life, and especially the Citroen, much favoured by his father, of Belgian origin. That man was at one time president of the Citroen Car Club in Britain many years ago. Anyway, last night browsing the aussiefrogs web site I came a across a link to an auction of a DS Decapotable at Bonhams. It was owned by a Joe Judt, the very man, who has survived his son and kept up the Citroen love affair into his 90s until he can no longer drive one.

 

[aad]

I nearly bought an SM in 1978, one of my favorite cars, and the drive did not change my mind.

Wonderful car, but I guess I am lucky I didn't do it.

 

[nikon_sam]

You can really see the design lineage from the DS to the SM then the CX to the C6

I have no idea of what you're talking about BUT I do love the photos...😉
Yeah...I'm a car guy...

 

[ped]

I have no idea of what you're talking about BUT I do love the photos...😉
Yeah...I'm a car guy...

Thanks 🙂

Just talking about the way some of the stylistic features have been carried through the various models over the years!

Cheers for the comments guys - hoping to drive some others (and get more pics) when I go back to complete the oil change

ped

 

[batterytypehah!]

Man, camera GAS is nothing compared to car lust. I had a very serious SM affliction at one point. I still think it would be one of the top cars on my list if I ever do win the lottery.

I think I would retire the Maserati engine after a few runs, and have the SM converted to electric. How cool would that be? I always thought if there was any justice in the car world, Citroen should have been first to market with a hybrid car. I've always found that the gen. 2 Prius looks like a modern GS. Just add a single spoke steering wheel and you got it.

 

[ped]

Maybe one day... the Hybrid system in the DS5 is pretty clever, and practical, too. It helps make it a very low tax fleet vehicle here in the UK.

I like where Citroen are going stylistically at the moment, their lineup seems to be the best in recent history with reliability and customer service on the up. Long may it continue.

Also love the way they still make the C6, despite having only sold 4 in the UK this year. They have a delightfully left field way of operating, at times.

ped

 

[John Lawrence]

Nice pictures of cool cars.

I've always had a bit of an itch for an SM Maserati.

Maybe one day I'll get to scratch it!

John

 

[paulfish4570]

i have never seen one "alive," only on TV or movies. love the photo series.

 

[ped]

Thanks guys, can't wait to go back. They said they'll get some of the others out for a bit of a photoshoot.

There's a Maserati engined DS knocking about somewhere.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Connecticut, huh? From the Martha Stewart corner of the state, I'm sure.

Can you get those Bud Tugley US spec headlights converted back to the real deal?

 

[Griffin]

Thanks guys, can't wait to go back. They said they'll get some of the others out for a bit of a photoshoot.

There's a Maserati engined DS knocking about somewhere.

Engine knock or misfire? 😀 Those aluminium blocks need to be heated slowly!

 

[KoNickon]

No doubt -- though back in the day there was a car dealer outside Hartford that carried Citroens, Renaults and Peugeots. (I don't think they were very busy.)

My parents bought a Renault 12 wagon from them, largely on my recommendation, which I regretted. Absolutely the worst car I've ever used, in pretty much every respect. Our mechanic performed miracles to keep that thing going.

Now, I'm not sure I understand -- You made a 10 pounds deposit on a car??

Connecticut, huh? From the Martha Stewart corner of the state, I'm sure.

Can you get those Bud Tugley US spec headlights converted back to the real deal?