My CITROEN SM: I've started the hardest restoration I'll ever do!

[@HubNut]

Good overlap, no triangle of doom.

[@HowardLeVert]

He's going to need Carly levels of organisation for all the parts he removes... I'm staring at the side by that tin cupboard and thinking "Dexion 'Impex' shelving", which is sensibly priced second-hand.

[@hadtopicausername]

What's your assessment Corner of Disappointment wise?

[@visionsofhere3745]

Because French.

[@gillscorner794]

​@@hadtopicausernamedefinitely lhd setup

[@Mancozeb100]

@@HubNut No - but there’s an almighty Triangle of Dust !

[@nickhaag7803]

At last! But for heaven's sake don't dilly-dally too long. I'm 68 and want to see this on the road before I croak.

[@Mancozeb100]

Gotta take a similar amount of time to Binky ?? We’ll send flowers 😅

[@UPnDOWN]

Do you have a history of terminal illness in your family? I can't promise anything...

[@nickhaag7803]

@@UPnDOWN My mother made early 90's so there is hope.

[@michaelwright2986]

I'm 80. Take your time, Kitch.

[@Mancozeb100]

@@michaelwright2986😂😂👏👏👏

[@grumpy2.0]

Take as long as you need. I follow Project Binky as well.

[@edgarbeat2851]

Crikey! I forgot about project Binky.

[@crb456]

@@edgarbeat2851 There was a new Binky video two weeks ago!

[@MrButtonpresser]

Plenty of us 108 year olds watch Binky...

[@worldofrandometry6912]

I think Binky will be well finished by the time this.....

[@Ricketik65]

I just want to tell you good luck, we're all counting on you.

[@binarydinosaurs]

I'm sure that once the dash lights are working, that Kitch will be on instruments.

[@Ricketik65]

@binarydinosaurs That's a totally different way of flying, all together.

[@random007nadir]

Surely you can't be serious.

[@RGChandler]

@@Ricketik65 That's a totally different way of flying.

[@olik136]

@@random007nadir I am serious, and don't call me Shirley.

[@Lasercapri]

Did I just watch you start the SM project ? No it must be a dream 😂

[@AlecBickerton]

As pole barn garage says; on the road, is better than perfect. You can always make it perfect later.

[@neildaniel8232]

You've made the hardest step of the project: The Start! Now you've just got to keep progress going at a better rate than the BOM boys and you may get to enjoy driving it sometime in this century 😁

[@mracce55]

Who would have thought that watching a bloke pull a small amount of an old car apart could keep you entertained for 30 odd minutes? Great to see you've got it underway.

[@zachariah74]

If Project Binky has taught me anything, its that I will gladly wait as long as it takes. So long as we get to see literally even a picture of the SM every couple months or so then I think everybody will really enjoy seeing things get fixed with the SM

[@Number27]

1. You're going to scratch your screen 2. Can you put a manual in it.. i know its a cruiser but i don't think an auto will suit the engine delivery 3.Amazed so much of it works!!

[@UPnDOWN]

It's possible to convert it to manual, but it's a lot of expense. Don't forget this is the 3.0 too, which is a bit more grunty and a bit less peaky than the 2.7. Worse case I can always do it another time, just like the windscreen.

[@firsteerr]

if my experience of restoring a DS you will be hard at it but the end result will be well worth it , the SM is one of THE most beautiful cars ever made and are a joy to drive

[@ThreeCoos]

Well done, even a small amount of progress is progress, 20,000 subscribers looming!

[@michaelwright2986]

Frabjous Day! So glad to see the restoration start. And so glad you're not rushing into it. Who am I to give you advice? Some random klutz on KZbin comments, but everybody else will be doing it, so: this is going to be a long series of quite short sessions, so you need to photograph every stage of it (not video, which involves set up, but a quick snap with the phone) so you don't have to rely on memory; and it would probably be good to have a clear idea of what you intend to do at the beginning of each session--so easy to lose track with such a complicated car. Of course, no plan survives first contact with the metal (?rust), but I think it will help to keep the process coherent. Though is it right to say this is the first day? Those three years weren't just a time of nothing happening: the Clement experience must have prepared you greatly so that you can approach a less hopeless task undaunted. This has the making of an epic, and epics are not hurried. A day to mark with a white stone.

[@SeasideGarage]

I am looking forward to this... what a massive task.... Id say the engine is fine.... crank it!!!! :D

[@UPnDOWN]

Cranking it could be a bad idea...!

[@SeasideGarage]

@UPnDOWN but more content for us! ;)

[@ezo7490]

finally, the SM is finally mentioned

[@dglcomputers1498]

I didn't know he had one, never seemed to mention it.

[@jamesleeharris]

Best of luck going forward Mr kitch. Might I suggest some racking/shelving for the big bits and some storage boxes with lids. Ive seen and and read about so many restorations that are set back by lost or missing parts and disorganised part storage. I've also heard that sandwich bags for bolts and sharpie for part identification are a must. I'm sure we will all being watching with massive interest. Much love

[@stevedunford7632]

racking is ready on the mezzanine. I know cos I built them.

[@Ben_C01]

What we've all been waiting for!

[@Simonicusmaximus]

Great to see you making a start! I soo want to clean your car especially the windscreen and dash!

[@aslandama]

Excited for you starting this, I'll be here like many I'm sure for the long haul!

[@paulatkins1818]

This is what brought me to your channel. Glad to see the project moving at last!!

[@anviltech1839]

It will be an amazing machine. I thought of your channel the other day because I passed a Citroen BX estate on my way to work.

[@ollylappage2595]

Bon chance... Don't worry - the best bit about procrastination is that when you've stopped doing it, it's very easy to start again at short notice. Very excited to see how it goes!

[@TK42138]

Good luck with this project. Always wanted an SM but had to make do with an XM. Take lots of photos of the relays, wirings, looms, hydraulics especially pipe and hose locations, brackets etc.

[@andrewmalyon5699]

An SM video, yes !! Love this car,you are a very brave man,I shall follow every bit of this build,I need to go back and watch all the SM videos.

[@stuarthannay3370]

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"...and all that! Good luck, it's gonna be emotional! 🤣

[@bondbug73]

Great start and positives Rich. Found it all very interesting and exciting. I'm sure enthusiasts and SM owners will come on board along the way and point you in the right direction. Stick to your long term plan and think of the end result. Enjoyed this.

[@edgarbeat2851]

Check out ColdWarMotors he dug out an SM. Some good videos. I've been following at least 12 years. Love his passion for Citroën French cars as well as American. Great banter also. Are you keeping the US lights?

[@MrButtonpresser]

+1 for CWM. A great channel.

[@ezo7490]

also dont worry a lot about how technical it is, that will give you a huuuuuuuuuge anxiety over finishing it, worry about them when they arise instead, in any case could be worse it could be a giant computer on wheels :')

[@treacadelic]

As Lao Tzu said, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Great work, mate. It's started!!!

[@geoffersk]

Journey begins, first step is she's alive and fluttering her headlights - sign of good things to come. Best of luck, keen to see how this goes!

[@MillerCorner]

Huh, never knew you had one of these... Jokes aside, good luck, you brilliant madman!

[@micheltebraake7915]

That's the way to tackle such a big project, write everything down, take lots of pictures, bag and tag. Project Binky is also not finished yet, so you still have some time.

[@JasperV70-205CT-BX]

Yaay! It has begun! 🎉 Thanks for the video Kitch

[@CortinasAndClassics]

Great stuff, i will keep my eyes peeled for more. I myself am doing a car on a budget so i certainly can sympathise. Did I mention I have a Cortina :)

[@Mancozeb100]

What do you mean “awkward“ on screen ? … from the very beginning, you’ve been an absolute natural, Kitch. Anyhow , all professional entertainers feel nervous before the show - so, you’re in good company. It shows you care. Or something.

[@polkusin]

Agree - brilliant presentation & excellent storytelling.

[@TanyaBurns-x1u]

Hooray. I am looking forward to seeing how this progresses very much

[@dwarfshortage244]

Can’t believe my eyes! Started watching your channel because of the SM and now it’s finally here. Let’s get cracking!! …The history video is a must watch.

[@stevensfourwheels]

Great to see the SM project being started. I’m really looking forward to seeing updates 👍

[@davidflamee]

Massive commitment, much respect to you Sir. Boxes, labels, everything recorded. Keep filling out your book/log. Makes everything easier when it comes to the rebuild. Good luck and best wishes.

[@simonprime5541]

As you said take your time and get it right. This will be a fantastic watch. I can't wait - well I've waited 3 years so I can wait a bit more !! lol - good luck Kitch.

[@FFVoyager]

4:50 you are quite right. LJK Setright a pre-eminent motoring journalist from the late 60's to the mid 90's. (His father designed the hand cranked ticket machine used by bus and tram conductors all over Europe in 1922)

[@gillscorner794]

Ljk a Proper motoring journalist

[@VisorView]

He was a long term journalist with Bike Magazine as well, quite a unique character at the time, as was the magazine itself.

[@FFVoyager]

@VisorView yes a friend of mine (Royce Creasey) was as well. I met Setright once. Both of them were very interesting and very different characters! (Royce is still alive he's 80 now)

[@worldofrandometry6912]

I gave up reading Setright's reviews afrer the first six paragraphs which had nothing to do with the vehicle he was reviewing. Drove me nuts!

[@FFVoyager]

@@worldofrandometry6912 sometimes hard work but never ill-considered. Try reading his book, Drive on!: A Social History of the Motor Car. It's truly excellent.

[@JorgeFernandez-uc9qb]

Yay! It has begun. Like you said, it has to be done right. We will be right there for the good, the bad and the ugly. Don't mind if we look over your shoulder and hurl comments at you.😊 It is an amazing car.

[@oxulucozcan4923]

even if you get things (very) wrong; you always have the opportunity to go back and fix it properly. no one said this would be easy nor quick and even if they did; you would be the first one to tell them "go Fairmont yourself". it is finally happening and I am so happy for you Cheers

[@jonathanjackson1067]

Looking forward to seeing this complete. Beautiful looking cars

[@hpevans9041]

Excellent news, looking forward to the strip down and rebuild. Some interesting viewing to come, it may take some time.

[@richardhunt809]

It’s great to see this underway. I hope you get a lot of enjoyment from it.

[@davefrench3608]

Looking forward to the next 5 years , glad you are making a start.

[@nigelh4617]

Citroën's beautiful melange of engineering excellence and bats**t craziness.

[@JFW5358]

Exciting development. Lots of great material to follow - unless you give up. Please persevere.

[@UPnDOWN]

I don't intend on giving up!

[@Oliver-l1c]

It is so exciting that you have started!

[@2008tourer]

Oh wow, oh WOW! It's happening! I'm so happy

[@landiepete]

Hurrah ! Well done that man !

[@binarydinosaurs]

I am indeed here after I saw the twitter posting of the SM on the trailer after you'd bought a mug. Then you did the history of the BX sat in a chair and that was enough for me to sub. Good luck sir.

[@tghsheridan]

I once had that amount of dirt on a windscreen and had the wipers unexpectedly start when I put a battery on the car. One stroke before I pulled the terminal off was enough to go a really bad scratch. Ever since, I always do a quick clean of the screen and check the blades before getting power on a stood vehicle, especially with uncommon glass. Exciting to see this project properly starting. :-)

[@JoFreddieRevDr]

I enjoyed watching Metod Levart's 3 to 4 year project to restore an 'A' series Opal Mantra, so think I will also enjoy your slow but steady progress on the SM.

[@TheArtistsWay67]

Enjoy the pain. Three years into mine and I'm not even the one doing it. Digging your Bx and Montego wheel plates!

[@MysteriousFigure]

good luck on this one, the start is always the hardest!

[@alexj8947]

Fantastic stuff, what a tremendous machine 👌

[@allanriches9381]

Fantastic, first steps are little ones but so important

[@jeremytoms5163]

Nearly bought one of those in the early 80s but bought the SD1 3500 auto beside it instead. Supposedly the SD1 was supposed to have better fuel economy😂😂😂 You need to find someone with an AO size printer or plotter to have exploded diagrams of the systems. Makes life easy as you’re not looking for a magnifying glass to read an A4 print. Did it years ago, it’s great seeing everything clearly including the million and one grounds throughout the vehicle. Wish I could help in that but no longer have access to anything like that.

[@Ragnar8504]

Plenty of print shops have them. I'd love to have one myself but the problem is the ink dries just as quickly as in a household printer and since you need loads of it for huge prints it's bloody expensive. So unless you want to waste loads of money on ink you can only run a plotter if you're printing a lot, probably at least one or two jobs a week. Even paper gets expensive in those huge quantities (900 mm by 90 m rolls). I could have gotten a free fully working HP plotter when my old office replaced theirs with a newer one with higher resolution and faster printing, didn't take it because it's too bulky and too expensive to run.

[@ukzoinks]

So good to see the SM, and so much of it in this video. I really want to see this through, but I appreciate the constraints (time/day job/funds). It’s such an interesting car to restore compared to what I watch on other channels, (YCR/Whiteland/Simpsons/Mat Armstrong) although you have to go some way to beat Mr Hewes (Tank related). Have you considered offering a second higher tier YT membership - the SM tier?

[@UPnDOWN]

I found Mr Hewes myself the other day, great stuff!

[@tomwinch9107]

Love your videos, love your SM, looking forward to many more years of your videos! All the best, look after yourself

[@michaelclayton3388]

This is going to be fun to watch Mr Kitch...one hell of a project.. I will be watching!! Good Luck mate 🙂

[@stevenmoran4060]

Great to see slow progress is starting. Out of interest are you planning to find and fit the European spec headlights onto it? They were true wacky Citroen weren’t they? This will be an epic series and probably quite a long one too. Looking forward to it.

[@v12mike30]

Having started 3 major restorations in my lifetime (2 completed, 1 abandoned) take photos or video every detail, such as where do the hose and harnesses sit, where do the clips go, which screes have washers. In 3 years time it will be very hard to remember and you will waste hours working it out. And don't waste time cleaning and fettling parts that will probably be discarded later!

[@The_Car_Stalker]

Looking forward to the progress

[@colinthompson9819]

Good luck mate!!

[@anadolman3246]

I have been really looking forward to this. Apart from anything else it's an opportunity for you to show what you are capable of and how good a mechanic/restorer you really are. My restoration of an Anadol A1 in the UK is simple in comparison and that is driving me mad!

[@Canalsman]

The big day has arrived. You know, Kitch, that we will all be following you in this venture. And cheering from the sidelines... It seems impossible that three plus years has elapsed since the SM arrrived on the scene. It seems like yesterday. She needs a name I suggest. Any thoughts? By the way - you may feel awkward in front of the camera. You're not. You're a natural communicator as well as being just plain and simple 'natural'. That's why we all enjoy what you do.

[@UPnDOWN]

I'm not really sure about a name tbh. I don't normally name cars. Maybe Clement 2?! Actually no, that curses it...

[@Canalsman]

@UPnDOWN Ah but you do... Hilda, BAH etc. Any old registration details for the SM?

[@UPnDOWN]

Hilda was named by the previous owner, I'd probably have just called it the Imp! And BAH is only known as that as it's normally one of a number of BXs I own or have in my care, so it's easier to differentiate. BAH just gets referred to as the BX at home, now that it's the only one I have.

[@anakinskywalker4113]

Finally, I have waited so long for this since I started following your channel. Take as long as you need I eagerly await to see the progress.

[@LatteLover]

Best of luck, mate, that's quite the undertaking!

[@GreyTheFloydianSergal]

Huzzah! I can't wait to see this car progress, been too long man. All I can think about is what colour scheme you're going for & what you do with the interior, we're a long way off that I know but I'm expecting this car to end up as something super special & hoping, nee praying that these videos do well enough so you can get the funds to do what you need or want to do with the car

[@robinfoster7597]

Now you’re talking! Looking forward to this. :)

[@martinneumann7783]

I‘m looking forward watching SM restoration videos. Footage for some months, I suppose? At least there is life in the machine; that’s good… Take care and see you soon on your channel »»» Martin 🇫🇷♥️🇫🇷

[@timstinson1]

You have a….. SM? 😂😂. Three years plus and I still laugh typing it. Looking forward to progress. It’s a mammoth task but as they say… how do you eat an elephant…. One mouthful at a time!❤

[@johnbishop8324]

If it's the same set up as the UK version I believe that the aircon is on all the time which can cause an issue from cold with the steering on full lock.I think that the answer was to install an On/off switch. Good luck with the restoration.

[@waynetetley584]

Looking fwd to seeing the SM progress. Well done 👍

[@gafrers]

Best luck. It amazing even in this condition

[@jonnybigpotato4263]

Good luck, it will be worth it

[@JamesSmith-kr9zw]

It will still be finished before Project Binky! 😂 Keep up the great work. 🙂

[@UPnDOWN]

Mmmm, I dunno about that!

[@CaSuMog]

19:05 - yes its a US only feature. They feared oil drips might burn on the catalytic part of the exhaust manifolds. I left mine away. There are other nice bits on US cars like the brake valve heat shield. And stronger front bumper carriers then on Euro cars, better hydraulic pump drive shaft and such.

[@magomat6756]

I had a poster on the wall when ik was a kid with a golden brown version of the sm. I always love the car.

[@tichwykes]

Look forward to the restoration Kitch & I don't care how long it takes either, I know when I had an automatic Saab 95 that was hard to push around maybe something to do with the auto box causing a lot of friction within the running gear maybe? I know when it were running everything worked as it should so could just be an auto box thing. I wonder if your gearbox could be replaced with one with another gear or two? Mind you keeping it stock probably wouldn't be a bad thing & I agree with you about it being auto as its perfect for the car I reckon.

[@molsky13]

Getting the parts is one of the biggist challenges but good luck 😊

[@Aleks_Z]

Good luck with engine, It's as weird as any modern engine, finicky to hell and beyond. Does sound good when in order

[@Sid3300]

So it starts… good luck Rich!

[@nickmoore2301]

So MOT next week then 😂 This is going to be a fantastic journey ❤

[@lesklower7281]

Citroen did things differently when they built there cars and l am glad in this restoration that you are going to take things slowly and carefully and l have just watched a series of restoration videos on the restoration of the million mile Lexus LS400 and actually the Lexus when he started the restoration it was running it was mainly body work and a bit of interior work no engine rebuild because it's a Lexus at the end the restorer did a compression test and the engine is in good health Toyota's and Lexuses are so so reliable and when you removed the rocker covers been very clean means your SM has been serviced regularly although despite the fact your SM has low mileage that's a great start as far as the engine is concerned

[@janosnagyj.9540]

I really hope you will have enough time here on Earth to finish this project... for me it would be a lost case... I've gone through something like this, but on a much newer and casual car so at least getting parts for it was not an issue. But still, I would never start that job again. I remember how many times I felt completely lost and overwhelmed by the tasks that never seemed to finish. Wherever I touched, there was another patch of rust...and it was a car 1 decade younger than this, and it looked nice respect to this one... so... 🤞🤞🤞 I wish you luck, but I won't be surprised if the car will finish as a parts donor for the few other remaining examples...

[@cx.silver.bullet]

The sound wipers done it's like from SciFi movie 👽

[@ericlestang4638]

the best car ever. bonjour de France.

[@Shane_Marsh]

The most eagerly awaited project on KZbin. This will be epic 👌🏻

[@chucku00]

You deserve your SM engine to get the Régembeau reliability upgrade. Georges Régembeau was an engineering genius who worked on many Citroën cars (among many other mechanical devices) to obtain enhanced performance, economy and toughness.

[@johnwaga3702]

I love the SM.

[@craigyllyn]

I’m really pleased for you. I am sure you’ll make a cracking job of it. Is your favourite Saxo owner as pleased to see you cavorting with the SM?

[@ColinGarner-h1t]

Good luck can’t wait to see it done . Hope you can get the European front plexiglass.

[@guusguusguus]

Don’t care how long it takes, I am here for it

[@jayslittleprojects1431]

Awesome, good to see this one starting :)

[@robbell4339]

Yay! Finally the SM project starts [claxon noises]! 😁👍

[@uwekall6281]

Pro Tip: put a photo of a nicely renovated SM on the background of you mobile phone and your computer desktop to keep going with the restauration. This worked well for me with my DS but it still took me 4 years in total.