Citroën SM - French style meets Italian power in this innovative GT | Tyrrell's Classic Workshop

Fresh from it's excursions at the hands of Hammond and Clarkson on The Grand Tour's 'Carnage a Trois' special, this stunning Citroën SM, previously owned by Mike Brewer (he of Wheeler Dealers fame) has arrived in the workshop, ready for the attention of Iain and his team. It was impossible to ignore shining the spotlight on this 1970's French exotic straight away!
Iain delves in to the history of this car that broke the mould in France as Citroën created a high-performance luxury grand-tourer. Having bought Maserati in 1968, Citroën combined a V6 crafted by Guilio Alfieri with in-house styling by Robert Opron to create this masterpiece, full of technical innovations well ahead of it's time. Circumstances meant that just under 13,000 were produced in total.
Join Iain to discover why this classic is so revered, as he treats the engine to a tune-up before taking it out on the road to sample it's delights.
00:00 - Introduction
01:14 - European engine taxation
02:43 - Maserati and Alfieri's V6
05:44 - Engine layout
06:53 - Engine multi-tasking
08:06 - Groundbreaking technical innovations
09:57 - Aerodynamic tear-drop
10:20 - Interior
10:35 - Media star
11:27 - Engine tuning
12:04 - Road test
20:04 - Kamm tail styling
21:15 - Outro
Thank you once again to everyone for the overwhelming reception of these videos and for all the support of likes, subscribes and wonderful comments.
This video was brought to you by Aston Lark - www.astonlark.com/tyrrellswor...
Filmed and edited by Whipp3dCream - whipp3dcream.com/
Interested in purchasing a classic car? Check out Iain's guides with Supercars Monaco - / @supercarsmonacotv7831
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IMAGE ATTRIBUTION:
Hans van Dijk / Anefo (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „Concorde (vliegtuig) weer (tweede keer) even op Schiphol landing van de Concord, Bestanddeelnr 932-2777“, crop by TCW, creativecommons.org/publicdom...
Thomas Quine (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „Renault touring car (8560736329)“, crop by TCW, creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Alf van Beem (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „1911-1913 Peugeot type 139 A Torpedo photo 3“, crop, desaturate by TCW, creativecommons.org/publicdom...
Mic from Reading - Berkshire, United Kingdom (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „Mondial de l'Automobile 2012, Paris - France (8666460406)“, crop, desaturate by TCW, creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Mic from Reading - Berkshire, United Kingdom (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „Terenure, Co. Dublin - Ireland (6017623517)“, crop by TCW, creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Mic from Reading - Berkshire, United Kingdom (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „Terenure, Co. Dublin - Ireland (6017518283)“, crop by TCW, creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Alf van Beem (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „1952 Jaguar XK120 Fixed head Coupé 3.4litre 6cylinder 160hp photo3“, crop by TCW, creativecommons.org/publicdom...
Spanish Coches (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „Ferrari 208 Turbo (5099317873)“, modified by TCW, creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Unknown photographer (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „1969 Giulio Alfieri and SM V6 engine“, crop, upscale by TCW, creativecommons.org/publicdom...
Duke le Palois (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „Citroen Traction 7A 1934 02“, crop by TCW, creativecommons.org/publicdom...
Jeremy from Sydney, Australia (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „1987 Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo coupe (28745308461)“, crop by TCW, creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Jeremy from Sydney, Australia (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „1987 Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo coupe (28821913265)“, crop by TCW, creativecommons.org/licenses/...

[@iain_tyrrell]

Please excuse the rather unfortunate looking wet patch caused by hand washing in a small sink just before filming, and then forgotten about!

[@vibingwithvinyl]

It does look a bit suspicious. Edit: you may want to pin the comment, just in case.

[@ichiban8558]

Iain loves a Citroen!

[@nomebear]

@@ichiban8558 A lot!

[@sayeager5559]

I get the same wet patch whenever i see an SM.

[@gori277]

I had to rewatch… all eyes were on the SM and both ears on you, Mr Tyrrell.

[@andrewmcmahon9512]

No other manufacturer would have ever built such a machine Bravo Citreon..

[@drluisgoncalves]

This car is a masterpiece of design and engineering.

[@jhdb2194]

Hello Ian, Thanks for your amazing videos, and all the explanations you provide. I own a Citroen SM injection and I would like to share a few comments: • The lights are not only turning but they always stay level (horizontal) even when the car pitches . This is due to an hydraulic link in between the lights and the rear torsion bar • The steering wheel was the 1st one in Europe to be adjustable both in length and height. • The power of the assisted hydraulic steering reduces has the speed increase. • 1st car with a wind screen glued. • Like the DS it is wider on the front than in the back and the length in between the front wheel is 20cm longueur than the length in between the rear wheels. • The engine was designed from scratch and has no common parts with the V8. What is true is that Alfieri wanted to show to Citroen people a V6 after just a few weeks following the brief and he took a V8 and cut off 2 cylinders but this was only a moc-up. • The ‘puissance fiscal i.e. CV’ is calculated using a complex equation but in reality is mainly linked on the capacity of the engine; 400CC = 2CV (the famous 2 CV Citroen), 1,100cc = 6 CV, 2,000CV = 11CV , 2,670cc = 15CV for the SM and the Range Rover with 3,500cc = 20 CV • My understanding of the design of the front suspension is that when you take a corner and the car rolls, the surface of the tyres remain entirely in contact with the road surface, like when going strait. The wheel remains perfectly perpendicular to the road surface. And when you drive on bumpy surfaces the wheels keeps directing the car absolutely strait with absolutely no movements of the wheels to the right or to the left. And of course the steering wheel does not move at all. I think this improves the grip vs most of the conventional suspension designs. When they launched the car in 1970 they invited journalists and they pushed them to do a test which consisted in going at 100 miles/h through a big puddle with their hands off the steering wheel. Scary but the car does not deviate from its trajectory by one inch. Same in case of a front tyre puncture. Now it is true that it is set to under-steer but not that much, and with the super quick steering ratio it is quite easy to eliminate this effect and even to force the car to over-steer slightly when entering a curve. The only down side is that the front tyres do not last long… • The design of the back has the shape of a kammback, which is very aerodynamic indeed but the flip on the boot may also be motivated by the necessity to fit the square registration plates of Italy and USA which were square and not rectangular. Without the flip they don’t fit. NB: In my view those square plates ruin the aesthetic. • The SM could also be equipped with super light wheel made of resin. At the time Michelin owned a big part of Citroen and they licenced the technology developed for the rover that was sent to the moon and created this resin (sort of re enforced carbon) super light wheel (4.5Kg each instead of around 9Kg for the standard ones made of steel). Another innovation. • Another feature is the design of the rear suspension which makes the car to stay horizontal when braking hard and therefore shorten the braking distance by reducing transfer weight. Motor Trend registered the shorten ever braking distance when testing the SM. I have a comparative from Car and Drivers; 70-0mph : SM:178 feets, Lotus Elan +2s 130 : 186 feets, Mercdes 280 SEL 4.5 and Porsche 911S: above 210 feets. • The SM was the first non-American car to be awarded the price of ‘car of the year’ in 1972 by Motor Trend. • The SM won the rally of Maroco in 1971. I hope this additional features and comments will be of interest to yourself and your audience. Best, Jaime

[@gairnmclennan5876]

Thanks for the details. I saw one for sale a number of years ago to an English motor cycle grand prix champion in New Zealand for about £50,000. He lived here and it was his car for many years. A very impressive car!

[@Dzidekification]

I read your comment like a Citroen bible, love it !

[@grayfool]

The SM just never gets even middle aged, let alone old. Just the most extraordinary car ever made.

[@almicarodrigues]

There's nothing like listening to someone who clearly knows cars inside out and backwards. Being a decades long "citroeniste", this was, by far, the best SM video I've ever watched. Iain's car knowledge is encyclopedic. A true master of the dark arts of mechanics.

[@willardr100]

Very well said. I was enthralled by the details provided and feel thoroughly enlightened.

[@patrickcrean7813]

Yes an excellent video.

[@78MerakSS]

I have a Maserati Merak SS with the sister engine. Great sound.

[@silkdestroyer]

@@78MerakSS Well, coincidentally, this weekend, (21/1/23) I'm flying over to Sweden to view an SM fitted with an SS engine. If it is half as good as it looks and I've been led to believe, come Monday, I could be an SM owner. (To add to my CX 2.5 Pallas & 2 XMs.)

[@robkleinlangevelsloo259]

The design has just enough strangeness. I think it's a masterpiece.

[@mantabond]

Francis Bacon would have approved.

[@matthewferguson7084]

Absolutely

[@andrewandlm]

"but I digress". No. Digress more - it's absolutely facinating

[@stevespeed4]

100% would have one in my lotto garage.

[@simonwolfe529]

Was lucky enough to own two SM's - loved them both, over the years - took them all over France on grand tours which they were built for - not to be kept in a garage for ages on end - that's when they bite !!! they need to be driven - sold for good money to a Suisse gent - now have BX16v & MR-2 SW-20 to keep me sane - but life is short - so my advise if you can - go for it - own an SM drive & Enjoy it !!!

[@michielhoogendijk1618]

Great video Ian (as always); thank you for that! One correction if I may; it is a stubborn misunderstanding that the engine in the SM is a modified Maserati V8 with two cilinders lopped off. While Giulio Alfieri (Maserati’s Head Engineer) did indeed use such a modified engine (still around, in the Panini collection) to evaluate what such an engine would produce in terms of power and in torque, Alfieri then set out to develop - from scratch - the engine that was actually used in the SM. Big differences with the Maserati V8 of course are the location of the chains (at the end of the block on the V8; in the middle on the SM V6) and the use of an intermediary shaft on the SM engine. The angle of 90 degrees was chosen to keep the engine low enough to fit under the hood of the SM. A special, double, ignition system was developed to create good sparks even on the uneven firing sequence caused by the angle. These facts are corroborated by Maserati factory historian Ermanno Cozza, and by interviews with Alfieri himself. See the excellent book of Marc Sonnery - Maserati: the Citroen years, chapter 3. Ironically (and confusingly), Maserati did make a prototype of a planned, new V8 by modifying the SM V6! They wanted to use that new V8 in the new Quoattroporte (the “old” Maserati V8 was deemed too heavy and old fashioned by then). This prototype engine also still exists; it was also bought by the Panini family and later sold to Philip Kantor, who put it an SM to make the one and only SM V8!

[@htimsid]

Bravo!

[@sm2a798]

Thanks to say the truth, not a old fake history said for decades!

[@Rasscasse]

Fascinating 👌

[@hankrobb6639]

The first time I ever saw and rode in a Citroen was when my friend's father purchased a new 1956 Citroen DS. That 10 year old fell in love with Citroen forever. Thirty years later while on an assignment in Strasbourg, France, I had the privilege to be driven from the Hotel Sofitel to the airport in a Citroen SM. The analogy of a magic carpet ride that Tyrrell used was perfect..they were way ahead of their time and their designs are nothing short of being artistic..beautiful machines.

[@kevmagill5163]

I've always had a fascination with this car...A guy at school would drive his Dad's SM to school and I would go talk about it and fawn over it...This was in 1977...it was a spaceship in South Florida in my mind...I never stopped being in awe of it's weird and genius quality.

[@julienbee3467]

Was it rare in the US ?

[@kevmagill5163]

@@julienbee3467 ...it was very rare...they were sold at dealerships that were for other brands...there was one dealership in Miami that had about 6...but that was in 1982...probably long after they were produced overseas.

[@philiptownsend4026]

I'm trying to get my head around a schoolboy driving an SM.

[@homolgus1]

This man knows his cars he really does!!!

[@samiam9059]

When I was a kid an older neighbor owned one and took me for a ride to show me that he could remove one front wheel. The car was so well balanced we drove all over and never never missed the front wheel on at all.

[@howardtaylor6920]

Surely it was a rear wheel that was removed.

[@marcob1729]

Would LOVE to see a segment devoted entirely to the quirks, features, and technology of the hydropneumatic system. How it works, how it was developed, how it evolved, and how to maintain one!

[@georgehelliar]

He's already done one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn7LYnSifseVqZY

[@ickleshouse]

many years ago we had Dian / , not sure of spelling, .Only 600cc but, my friend had a 2litre Cortina. I took him thru an area wear he lived that was full of speed bumps lol.... He cringed just before we got to the first one at 40mph... then started laughing. He was amazed how the glide over bumps.

[@xavichuvy9047]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn7LYnSifseVqZY

[@tonybooth4]

Ian did that earlier look it up, also Jay leno loves his SM

[@markrushton1516]

There is the episode on the CX where Iain talks about the suspension. Also the Leno one. Gas and oil in the large green spheres

[@SubTroppo]

Those seats are artwork in themselves.

[@marcelbiesters6870]

Thank you Iain for giving the SM the credit it deserves. I have a funny story about this car: My father was driving a CX2000 in the middle seventies and his boss, Piet, drove a DS23 Pallas, and felt he was in need of an upgrade. The Citroën dealership offered him to take an SM on one of his business trips to Germany. As Autobahns were almost empty and completely unlimited in the seventies, both Piet and my father were used to drive flat out on the Autobahns. So did Piet with the SM. As Piet was doing over 200kph he entered a curve in the Autobahn (a left-hander if I remember correctly), but as Piet new the road well, he kept his foot to the floor, which was what he always did with his DS, but at lower speeds off course. But as the curve started to tighten a little something crazy happened. Due to the high horsepower to the frontwheels of the SM, the car had an LSD, so what happened when the curve tightened, the LSD disengaged all of a sudden and this caused the car to spin immediately. And this with a speed over 200kph! The car tolled around bouncing from barrier to barrier, effectively wrecking the car. But Piet was in luck as the Autobahn was empty when it happened, he didn't hit any other traffic and got out unscaved. Of course he did not buy an SM, but opted for a Mercedes 450SEL6.9. Quite a contrast you think? Well yes,, but both cars had the same suspension, that's what Piet wanted.

[@philiptownsend4026]

An interesting story. I've had cars with Torsen diffs and their effect was always totally smooth, unnoticeable, except more traction. I can't imagine the fear of the diff suddenly locking at 200kph on a fast curve. I wonder what type of diff the DM has? I even fitted the Torsen (and larger clutch) from a Rover 620ti to my MGF (apart from ratios the gearboxes were the same) and it transformed the traction in any weather with no vices whatsoever. Finally, what did the dealer say about the wrecking of his SM demonstrator? PS I also had a Citroen GS in the dim and distant. That was a wonderful car with the hydropneumatic brakes and suspension and revvy OHC air cooled flat four but service intervals were 3000 miles as it ate spark plugs and disc pads. Have a happy time with the SM, I am very envious.

[@davidbarnsley8486]

Funny I just watched the episode with Jeremy and Richard driving this car then you come on with the actual car It has to be an amazing car for being built in 1970 👍👍

[@klwthe3rd]

If i didn't have the most utmost respect for Iain and his KZbin channel i would leave a mean comment about the past ownership of this amazing car by the man called Mike Brewer. Maybe in the inner circles of the British collector car market he is beloved but just the thought that this classic Citroen SM being once owned by him makes my stomach turn. Now on to the car....This green exterior color has to be the nicest color offered by Citroen for these SM's. I have a very special history with the Citroen SM as a childhood boy. I live in the United States and these cars are even MORE rare here than the rest of Europe. But when i was growing up, my best friend's father owned a 1972??(maybe 73) Citroen SM in white exterior and camel leather interior. It had the factory 5 speed manual transmission and had the American spec round headlights behind the plastic covers in the front. It was stored away only to be extruded when his father would drive it down to the local car meetups/shows. As a side note, my small New England town has a authorized Citroen dealership back in the 1960-1970's and even after they stopped selling new cars, that dealership went on to service the car in particular and many other for years to come. At first, i thought the car was extremely ugly but the shape and unique character of the car began to grow on me. On weekend day, my best friend asked if i wanted to go with them to the local car show and i agreed. Both him and I had to sit in the back seat(2+2) and for being a smaller build child, it was quite comfortable. I can still remember when he pulled out of his local street onto the main road and opened it up. The sound of that Maserati engine and surge of power i felt in the backseat of that car was just amazing. When we pulled up to the show, EVERYONE was looking at us. And i'm not exaggerating. Of Course we were the only ones there in a Citroen period, let alone an SM. And when i finally got to see the hydro-pnematic suspension in action, i was in total awe. This video brought back all those memories and i honestly think this is the 10th time i've watched this video. So i can totally understand why so many people asked about this car in the background. And i'm so thankful that i got to ride in one of these truly unique and rare cars. Thank you Mr. Tyrrell for showcasing this vehicle.

[@martinclapton2724]

Came from a time when manufacturers were brave in venturing into new design and engineering concepts to make a truly individualist motor car.

[@daniel635biturbo]

Well spoken, when engineers really could think outside the box, and make what not other were making. These days almost all are making the same cars, if you peel of the badges from a SUV almost all of them could be a KIA.

[@uliwehner]

unfortunately this is also what made Citroen less successful overall. quirky is not a mass selling feature. 2CV was loved, but only in Europe. The DS was a wonderful car but with a 4 cylinder only it just did not have the ooomph people were looking for. 6 cylinders were reserved for the Peugeots

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

When I changed from a Mini, 3 BMWs, 4 VWs to a Peugeot 306 I was amazed how efficient the suspension functioned. A French specialty.

[@1SaG]

Back in the late 80s I was brushing up my French at the university in Tours and, sadly, got to know my local garage quite well since my car got broken into three times (by smashing the side windows). Anyway: While I was at the garage, I spotted a beautiful white SM sitting among their used cars and since I knew even back then that this was a special car, I went over and looked at it. It looked extremely well maintained and, basically, like new. Since there was no price-tag on it, I asked the closest employee how much the car was and he said "10,000 Francs ... I think". Which, at the time, would've been less than a tenth of the price of a brand-new Golf Mk II GTI. I must've been around 18 or 19 at the time, so I was pretty dumb .... and if I had been a cartoon character, my pupils would've transformed into dollar-signs at this point. I had two buddies with me and quickly told them that we'd have to buy that thing at that price and they agreed when I told them how much that car was actually worth. I turned to the employee again and asked him about the price, at which point he excused himself to talk to the sales manager (since he really wasn't sure about the price). He came back with an embarrassed grin on his face, excused himself and then told us the real price - which was 100,000 Francs. Needless to say, we never bought the car. :)

[@ImperialAerosolKid]

I remember waiting for Johan Cruijff in my hometown near Amsterdam back in the 70s. Cruijff was there for a book signing. Making a big entrance, he skidded around the corner, screeching tyres. He obviously expected all attention to be on him when he got out, being the best footballer in the world at the time. The look on his face when the crowd ran past him and just pushed and shoved to get as close to his SM as we could. We were all in awe as we'd never seen a car as cool as that. As Ajax supporters we saw Cruijff every week, so he could wait.

[@Stevieboy130664]

Saw one a few months ago in London driven by a rather stylish lady - imagine Nyree Dawn Porter back in the day. Car and lady went perfectly together and it is a wonderful, truly dramatic shape.

[@gori277]

Half way around the world, just came back from night shift, warmed up the food, a glass lovely of Portuguese wine, open youtube and, voilá: a new Tyrrel video and on the merveilleux Citroen SM. Bliss! Best way to compensate for dining by yourself.

[@jfv65]

Dutch/Spanish soccer player Johan Cruyff used to have an SM in exactly the same color. And the french gendarmerie used SM's for highway patroling. Very special luxury GT car!

[@macmaccourt]

The most annoying part of your videos is when they are over! Ugh! I guess I will have to queue up a number of them to keep watching more! :) In the 70s, I lived in Colorado in the country, and there was a neighbor about a kilometer away that had a Citroen SM. I kick myself (I was 14 at the time) for not visiting and talking to him about it. It has alway been a fascinating car to me. I have a 1/43 scale Superfast from Lesney Matchbox that I collected along with a Lamborghini Miura that I still have. Keep up the great work! Love your videos!

[@neilharrison7555]

Thoroughly enjoyed delving into the hydraulic machinations of Citroen! I was an ETO in the Merchant Navy, among my responsibilities was looking after electro-hydraulic deck cranes. Following from that it is quite easy to understand Citroen's theory regarding both the DS (another lovely car) and the SM, a truly lovely car indeed.

[@murrieteacher]

What a beautiful car! I remember trying to chase one of these through poor country roads of Northern NSW, Australia about 1970 something while driving a very modified MGB GT V8. The chase lasted about 5 minutes before fear of dying to over. The SM disappeared into the distance. They have been on my classic car list (and the DS) for ages. I have driven a few DS models and as you say, the ride feel is unique.

[@maxjets407]

Woaw sacré histoire on se croirez dans mad max 🤩🥰

[@stephenking9271]

Beautiful car absolutely stunning & beautiful mechanics technology for its time. Stunning

[@MoltenJules]

I'm sure it held the record at the time for shortest braking distance from 60 mph and even today very few cars could better it. I am struggling to find the actual distance but it was very impressive. Just found it, 60mph to standstill in 106 ft (32.3 meters).

[@norton750commando]

In 1972 one the neighbours purchased one, white with brown leather interior. To 14 year old me, it was like a spaceship compared to the usual Mercury's, Oldsmobile's, Buick's that populated the driveways in the area, and I would spend a lot of time just looking at it. There are so many interesting details in the design, and it still looks quite modern for being over 50 years old, which can't be said for pretty much any other car from that era. He sold it after about 6 months because he had so many issues with it.

[@andyrbush]

I had a Renault V6 Turbo, when I still had hair. It was fabulous; the car not my hair. You could drive the length of the UK and not be exhausted. For some reason girls found it fascinating, I think because it wasn't the run of the mill. And it was super low.

[@trevorsanders5303]

Nice to hear someone pronounce the name properly. Top marks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

One of the autmotive greats

[@aglees2b]

The work that you've put together on this channel is nothing but exceptional. Absolutely essential. What a record and legacy that you've put down.

[@tobymenstroni8765]

I always watch these videos as a special treat. Now he has got two of my all-time dream cars in, the SM and the FF. Unbelievable, just bliss. The only thing I disliked was that it ended after only 20 minutes. I could have watched for hours.

[@Kizzle001]

Underrated in its engineering, this is a beautiful car full of innovation that was ahead of its time, especially here in the States when released.

[@powerglory4022]

My dad’s company sorted the restoration for Mike Brewer. They looked after nine SMs. That car was with me for four months in 2020. I arranged it’s appearance on the Grand Tour.

[@Jaksu74]

i think not many in US gets this show. No tattoos and not drama and shouting. But i enjoy this very much. Very calming.

[@robbrady4649]

I wonder if this was the particular SM that passed me on the A55 outside Abergele a few weeks back. It looked incredible on the road. Futuristic, even by today's standards. Thanks for showing us Ian.

[@gtv6chuck]

It always makes my day when a new Tyrrell Classic video gets posted!

[@LS-ti6jo]

Your co-host at the 2012 Shanghai concourse - wow

[@truthseeker8483]

Equal length wishbones weren't "to have less grip" they made it possible to have the steering pivot point through the centre of the front wheels meant no bump steer whatsoever. Also it meant that the inside wheels were not at weird angles so in actual fact they had more grip than the inside wheels on a conventional car especially with the flexible suspension keeping those inside wheels on the ground gripping.😀 All part of what made this car one of the most stable ever built.

[@steveflor9942]

"Zero scrub radius" is what you are referring to. Yes

[@truthseeker8483]

@@steveflor9942 No Steve because a conventional car has the upper pivot point high up where the McPherson strut upper mount is or connected to an upper wishbone pivot outside of the front wheel. The DS or SM has both front suspension pivot points within the front wheel exactly inline with the centre turning axis of the wheel which gives incredible stability in comparison.

[@UPnDOWN]

Correct. It was achieve centre-point steering geometry. The DIRAVI steering was there to create an artificial self-centring effect, as the car ran no camber/castor so as to not interfere with the ride quality. (While we're here, the engine wasn't a V8 with two barrels hacked off, it was ground up. Citroen bought Maserati specifically to make the C114 engine).

[@danapeck5382]

A friend's father, in Youngstown, Ohio USA, bought one when they came out. Can't imagine the local reaction.

[@famousutopias]

A combination of bewilderment and hostility! Maybe one out of a hundred was totally awestruck. I was the kid who was awestruck! I’m from northeast Ohio and that was the reaction at the time. DS was a similar story. We had a Citroen dealer nearby and i wanted my parents to buy one, and oddly enough they liked them but it was a lot of money and the complexity scared them off. That didn’t stop me from getting my own in the 1980s. Had a rough SM that ran great (really!) and still have the ID 19.

[@ChocolateFrog]

One of my favourite videos in the series.

[@chasm6698]

1. I'm personally skeptical of the story that Alfieri made the first engine by cutting up a V8. The V8s did not have the two-stage jackshaft cam drive, and you couldn't add that to a block, let alone heads, not cast for it. 2. You're quite right that the primary timing chain was the Achilles's heel of the engine, compounded by its being used to drive the accessories. In a way this followed the DS, in which the camshaft comes out the back (front) of the engine to drive the accessories. Another weakness of this that you did not mention is that it drives the alternator at a poor multiple of engine speed (1.8 I think), so the alternator doesn't cover the current drawn by the headlights or cooling fans at low engine speeds. I notice your car has a non-original alternator, probably an effort to improve that. 3. Like the DS, the SM more or less had to have no-camber-change suspension because it had variable ride height. That's also why it was not allowed in the U.S. after 1973, when new rules required a standard bumper height, as well as impact resistance that the SM couldn't meet. Anyway, good video about a great car. Oh, and yes, I do have one.

[@leneanderthalien]

You are right: this cut V8 story is totaly false and Alferi himself talk about this that the V6 from the SM was a totaly specific conception, and it's very easy to see this: the V6 internal conception is very spécial, notably because the internal shaft to drive the internal timing chains (like on a motorcycle engine) and the accessories installed over the gearbox (hydraulic pump, generator, air conditioning compressor).The only SM engine who was realy built from a cut engine was a 4L V8 prototype, made for the SM and built from the Maserati factory with 2 cut V6 : this engine was installed in the personal SM from Alferi (was removed before Alferi did sale he's SM after 1975) and this prototype engine was recently overhauled from the "SM club de France" and re-installed in a SM from this club...

[@jf8085]

A work of art, both in engineering and design

[@OwenMichaels]

That Islero in the background looks so enticing!

[@kristdodaro7926]

I truly enjoyed the video. I’ve never been much of a Citroën fan, primarily b/c of the disturbing styling; although, the engineering is fascinating. Keep up the great work!

[@petermclaren7276]

I know they are barely comparable, but I had a Citroen XM, it’s ride was sensational. I’d drive from Fife to the South of France almost in a single hit and would arrive refreshed. As a long distance cruiser it was excellent, but on the sport setting, the suspension stiffened up and its roadholding was pin sharp. I’d have another in a heartbeat if I could find one.

[@iainmarshall2514]

Peter, i also had a XM , around 2000, it had the 3.0 l motor. Great car to drive and so much room. The SM had a feel all of its own nothing like the later big Citroen's

[@melanieraphael5144]

Beautiful car and excellently presented as ever. Thank you Iain!

[@brianmorrissey554]

Stunning car. Such a shame that Citroën stopped making French luxury. They perfected comfort after all.

[@auvokuustio]

@@johnsmith1474 Balls

[@autodidact537]

I agree with you Brian. Normally I'm not a fan of Citroen styling, however the SM is very handsome indeed.

[@truthseeker8483]

Now manufacturers seem to like to make cars bumpy...."For good handling" or a "Feel for the road".....feels great as you bump up and down and fly into a tree...

[@brianmorrissey554]

@@truthseeker8483 Don't forget the Nurbergring lap times. So important!

[@truthseeker8483]

@@johnsmith1474 I drove DS Citroens for over 30 years, the hydraulics are reliable if they are maintained and you have some practical knowledge, it is also MUCH more comfortable than any new car I have tried including Tesla Model S

[@terrygoodman5993]

My GOD! I would LOVE one of those. Ever since owning an ID in the 70s I have been besotted by these Citroens. Many thanks for posting this. Until you have driven one of this era of Citroens, you haven't lived.

[@paid2getdirty1]

One for your personal collection Mr Tyrrell. Don't see many SM's in France anymore, let alone in the northwest. Spotting one in the south of France was a novelty in the late 70's and early 80's when DS's and CX's were everywhere. Keep it if you like it and make sure it has yellow bulbs fitted 😊

[@aogrady]

Such a stunning car even today., and that colour is beautiful There are no bad lines on it at all. One of my all time favourite cars….

[@frednerk8366]

Many years ago I was driving behind one of these and as it pulled away from a roundabout onto the A12 (Gants Hill in Romford) it's engine blew spectacularly with a loud bang and clouds of white smoke. Must be forty odd years ago now and whenever I see an SM I always felt a pang of sorrow for that particular cars owner .

[@trevorsmith7753]

Gants Hill is in the borough of Redbridge, not Romford.

[@philiptownsend4026]

I used to know the area well, driving around serving writs and summonses. You can't really see the join between Redbridge and Romford, all the same to me.

[@joso5554]

Another Tyrell masterpiece. Paying tribute to Sa Majesté, as one fine automobile connoisseur should.

[@gerrymarsh1967]

Great video, a very enjoyable watch which brought back some great memories. I did my apprenticeship at Middleton Motors in Potters Bar which was a Citroen dealership, we saw lots of SM's as the owner (Roy Middleton) was a big fan. They converted 3 to RHD as I think they were hoping to have a tie up with Citroen to import more but the oil crisis put a stop to it, would be great to know what happened to them (the boss had one that was painted black and white). They had a problem with the chain that drove the jack shaft as it didn't have a tensioner (or there was a problem with it) and developed a fix with Reynolds, as the chain was against the bulkhead the whole power unit had to come out - remember it used to take me 9 hours just to remove it! The distributor had 2 sets of 'cassette' points one mounted on top of the other which were a nightmare to set up - Middleton's developed an electronic conversion with Lumminetion but even that was complicated due to the offset firing order. As an aside I notice on your roadtest the steering wheel is down to the right slightly - there is a cam adjuster between the centralising unit (on column) and steering rack to rectify - spent ages driving up and down a straight road getting it aligned!

[@gglasser8375]

I can say that seeing this stray patch of unfortunately placed water is part of what I enjoy about your channel. I want to see car enthusiasts and specialists talking about cars, not journalists or actors with high budget film crews. As long as your videos stay loaded to the brim with fascinating information and excellent autos, you could present them all in drag or hanging upside down for all I care!

[@richardwollocombe6793]

Fabulous car! I never liked them when I was younger, now I can see just how special they really are. Looking forward to seeing more of this car.

[@promerops]

Iain, you mentioned Brigitte Bardot - for me, the SM is the BB of cars! Congratulations on acquiring this beauty!

[@Rypsolisti]

One of the dream rides or better yet drives, Citroen SM. My late father worked with Citroen's in the 70's and 80's and drove SM and he loved it! He owned many other Citroens but not SM I think.

[@gazzafloss]

Not a big fan of the modern Citroen cars at all but this is a very beautiful and practical example of their earlier cars Thanks for the guided tour Iain.

[@rickkearn7100]

Great post. Friend of mine, a retired Delta Air Lines Captain, bought one of these back in 1971 I believe it was. He still drives it on special occasions and it runs superbly. Very detailed/informative presentation here, I liked it so much I subscribed with notifications. (And sent link to this post to my friend). Cheers.

[@billybill6604]

I love this car. Brilliant engineering and stunning beauty! You are very charismatic and your delivery is superb. You do the SM justice! Thank you so very much sir! I really enjoyed this

[@peterduxbury927]

If you are Iain's age (like me), you would have seen all of the Classic cars that make this world really interesting. Kids growing-up today, may never see those old-time Classics. We are fortunate to have Iain pass-on his wealth of knowledge. I liked the time where modern plastics did not exist, and many cars made today will hardly have a 'classic' status, other than those exotic marques. Thank you for a great lesson on the Citroen SM. Greetings from Sydney.

[@lunabouch]

Thanks for such a personal and in depth review of one of my favorites. I think the DS was an incredible car but the SM is the ultimate CITREON!

[@anonymousonlineuser6543]

Citroen cars are amazing in their engineering. The most daring and unusual production cars in the World.

[@Ricketik65]

The SM is an absolutely iconic car and I really like the way you present it, with your in-depth knowledge, but also your love for the technology and design.

[@mz2288]

For it’s time amazing engineering and stunning design. Unrivaled suspension, even today nobody has really beaten that grand turismo style ride quality! Thank you for taking us along, another super installment on automotive history 👍.

[@russcattell955i]

Back in the 70's my father had a import / export business. Though his personal car was a excellent Renault 16 TS, which was a better cruiser than his business car, a Cortina mk3 1.6. Regular trips from Calais to Marseille he would be passed with a whoosh by Citroen DS's. The sight of 6 yellow headlamps coming up behind signified a SM going like a bat out of hell, almost silently.

[@toadattoadhall]

I have been fortunate enough to own several 1980s Citroens and they all had the hydropneumatic system. They are brilliantly simple to work on and provided exceptional braking and ride quality and were a revelation. I wish modern manufacturers had the courage and panache of this once great marque.

[@AlainHubert]

I've always found this model to be extremely beautiful, and I can only imagine the smooth ride in it. Thanks for sharing.

[@tunnel7]

I can listen to Iain all day, and just love how he tunes with that pipe and screw driver.

[@michaelporter8485]

Imagine going the pub with this guy for a pint.. it would be a 3 day bender just talking about cars!! 👌🏼

[@andyknuckles2903]

The side camera angle is great. Interesting to see the tire deflection.

[@derekedgley5074]

Absolutely spellbinding automobile encyclopaedic knowledge and presentation.

[@mattrooke3210]

I’ve been a car nut for 5 decades worked in the motor trade and worked on some exotic and classic cars and thought I knew a thing or two, then I found this KZbin channel and discovered I’ve only skimmed the surface of knowledge and love the details and nuances that Ian goes into,every Tyrell video is a learning day. If I could turn back time I’d been queuing up to get a job there, the depth of knowledge and quality of work that goes into those cars is very obvious to see.

[@scheusselmensch5713]

Iain, I can assure you that the steering wheel of an SM is directly connected to the front wheels through a completely normal rack and pinion arrangement. The lack of feedback is a result of almost total hydraulic irreversibility. You can definitely maintain control of an SM should the engine stop and hydraulic pressure falls right down to zero in the accumulator (you could reach that state of affairs with repeated on off application of the brakes or of course a rupture in the hydraulic system). I very much like your videos, best regards and wishes for this new year. It has to be better than the last, right? On consideration, I've oversimplified the description. The physical link between the steering wheel and the steering box exists but one would never be aware of it unless there was a complete loss of hydraulic pressure, it then manifests as slop in the steering and of course you have to be Hercules to turn the wheels at a standstill.

[@michaelsummerell8618]

Listening to Iain talk about cars really is a joy... such a knowledgeable yet unassuming and approachable manner, his enthusiasm always shines through and makes these videos a real pleasure to watch. Many thanks for making these videos and to Iain for sharing his wealth of knowledge with us. I look forward to more videos in the coming year... and I'd SO love to visit the workshop, even if just to watch the staff there on the various projects. Fantastic!

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Hello from New Jersey. Thank you for taking the time to post this video on the Citroën SM . I really enjoyed it.

[@TheRichardmintern]

Thank you Ian and your team, for the hours of great KZbin videos this year.

[@nigelmoore4711]

Back in the early 70s l was at pre launch at Citroen/ Maserati technical centre in Slough ,.it was covered up but as tech's we had to unveil it to see it first hand,we got a bollicking, well worth it . Had many hours working on them , EFI was much smoother and responsive .Happy days at Bristol Street Motor in Sherwood Nottingham.

[@micheltebraake7915]

It remains a special car, that SM.

[@pbgd3]

Excellent video, the quirks of an SM are such that you did miss one. They are self jacking. You use the ride height control to raise the car insert the support rod and then select low and the tire rises off the ground. This leads to many people demoing driving the cars around on 3 wheels. The fronts on SMs are inboard brakes like an E type. Just amazingly funky cars

[@captainover-tighten6729]

Best auto show on the inter web by far. Been a fan since the very first Harrys garage debut. All the best for 2022 to you and all your crew in front of and behind the screen. I must say the production presentation is really exceptional which compliments the knowledge being shared. G

[@179077]

I am interested in classic cars although I’m not particularly mechanically minded I find Iain’s style of presentation very relaxing and very informative without going over the top. The Citroen SM would absolutely be on my shopping list if my numbers. came up - just a beautiful piece of art/ sculpture on wheels.

[@eieghn]

In 1980, Craig Morningstar, the service Rep with Maserati, brought one of 2 Maserati 4.9L V8 powered Citroen SM's by to The Sports Car Exchange in Dearborn, Michigan where I worked at the time. All I have to say is, What A Beast! French quirky luxury meets Italian Muscle Car. I'd give my left arm to have that car today......!!!!!

[@eieghn]

Additionally, I ended up at McLaren Engines under the direction of Wiley McCoy and Gary Knudsen. And what did I work on? The Peugeot/Renault/Volvo 90° V6 in turbocharged form for the American market A310 (GTA V6). Later in 1988 after I joined AMC/Renault, I got to drive one of those. I loved those cars.

[@eieghn]

I REALLY miss the "wuffling" noise that came through those Weber trumpets.

[@lennyvalentinoSchiaretti_lvs]

Great video and amazing car! The SM is an icon and one of the most beautiful design ever made!

[@samwalton4598]

In the states this was a very high end car in 1970. Only a man of means could afford one. The oil embargo in 73’/74’ accelerated the demise of Citroen U.S. and several other manufacturers. Consequently, the transformation that ensued for American made cars was horrific. Ford, GM, Chrysler, AMC manufactured some disasters in that period. Great show!

[@annecy49]

Great video. The SM is probably my favourite car and I could spend hours just looking at it, especially the rear, a masterpiece and something so from the 70's. I am in love!

[@protestagain]

All back in 1985, I had a Citroén CX. After work one Friday, I drove 1100 miles in 20 hours. After that trip, I was so fresh, I went for å pub and was there until closing time. It would be impossible in another car.

[@gileshalliwell3591]

Never forget a journey in an SM when a Rolls Royce stopped to let us out at a junction… Great cars!

[@philiptownsend4026]

I used to do that sort of thing when I lived in UK. Always let a classic or sports car out of a side turning if safe to do so. Respect for kindred spirits.

[@montestu5502]

Wow that is a fabulous looking car. Front, back and side are incredible.

[@5CGQ]

Definitely a long-legged tourer, not a sports car. I got to drive one, belonging to a friend, around a race track. Firstly, the weird steering. As you demonstrated, when stationary you could turn it with one finger. But on my out lap, approaching an 80 mph sweeper, it weighted so much I nearly missed the corner. And you are sooo right about the understeer! On the track's hairpins it plowed like a Massey Ferguson. Wish I could have given it a run on the open road. Oh, and trying to heel-and-toe with that mushroom brake button was another whole level of weird.

[@danpatterson8009]

As a service to my fellow colonials who like me were wondering how 15 hp could possibly move that beast along at highway speeds, here is a link to the French "tax horsepower" calculation: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_horsepower#France, which did not include an actual measurement of power generated.

[@oambrosia]

Thank you. Saved me the trouble of searching for it!

[@xavierbouvet1975]

This is exactly that ! And it is fair to say the French administration has developed over the years one of the creasiest and the most expensive car tax system. As if "puissance fiscale" tax based was not enough we now have carbon tax on top....and the total is ridiculously high, up to 40+ ke, (about 33 k£). If you buy a Mustang V8, OTR price will be 96KE = 54,2 Ke actual dealer price plus 41,8 ke for registration tax 😯😯😯

[@SLAmey-mu9hd]

Thoroughly enjoyable review of an absolutely magnificent car.... Thank you 👌🏼

[@MrMarkusmulder]

Love it when you start talking about other cars 😀👍. Thanks for the video and stay safe.