1974 Citroën SM I.E.
Here is my 1974 Citroën SM “Injection Électronique” (IE or EFI). I bought this car to be able to drive a SM without having to wait for the completion of my other SM’s slow restoration. That’s cheating, I know, but that’s so good 😉
In fact I was initially searching for a Citroën DS, but I quickly changed my mind because I now know the SM pretty well, I have all the required documentation and two SM would mean that I would be able to “play” with parts, for example by installing on this ’74 SM IE some parts restored for the ’72 SM, if needed.
I quickly forgot the idea of finding a nice SM here in Canada. There are some but the average condition of this type of car is usually pretty bad if no serious restoration has been done. The goal was to find a car in excellent shape. I asked my father to inspect some cars for sale in France during summer 2006. I fixed myself a “reasonable” budget but as usual I had to go slightly over this budget to find a really nice car.
To read the incredible adventure this car went thru when it was shipped from France to Canada, click here.
Here is one of the pictures my father sent me before buying this car. This picture has made a good part of the decision to chose this particular car.
Main characteristics
- Manufacturing date : October 1974
- Version : SM IE, France
- Serial number : 00SC3599
- Mileage : 47 000 km (indicated when bought)
- Body color : Beige Tholonet
- Upholstery : “Tabac” (tobacco) leather
- Engine : Maserati V6, 2.7 liters
- Engine type : C114.03
- Engine serial number : 303.402
- Supply : Bosch electronic fuel injection (D-Jetronic)
- gearbox : 5-speed manual
- Options : air conditioning, tinted windows, radio
Color codes
- Body : “Beige Tholonet” AC 085
- Body base color : grey AC 092
- Hydraulic parts : green AC 502
- Front grill : “Gris nacré” AC 095
- Air filters : grey AC 140
- Various metal sheet parts : “Brun chocolat” RAL 8017
The car in its initial condition
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In my driveway, she makes the neighbors curious 😉
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Sometimes, pedestrians stop to ask me what this car is
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She’s impressive!
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There is no front licence plate in Québec
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I put the rear plate onto the original french one…
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… to avoid making new holes, there already are 6 of them!
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The RR wheels are in excellent shape and fit very well
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It shines because it’s clean and I’m not a good photographer 😉
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Nice rims and brand new tires, it’s hot!
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Cleaning and polishing the bolt covers has been a long and meticulous job
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In the back, my “everyday’s” car who temporary lost its space in the driveway
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The windshield upper trim must be repositioned correctly
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The alignment of the body panels is not perfect…
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… but it’s not too bad
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Big scratches unfortunately temper the right side (rear fender and door)
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It’s frustrating, I’ll have to do something about that one day
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The front side, from under, not too bad after a little cleaning
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Here the rear side, not too bad either, but tar could hide bad surprises
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Some work on a lift gave an opportunity to see more details
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I’ll need to do something here, it’s not nice
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Under the engine, this is quite oily of course
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The side sections…
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… nice, I believe
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The leather is in great condition…
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…congratulations to the previous owners…
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…I now have to do as well
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Anyway, I treated the interior with a leather cleaner and conditioner
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The usual lose carpet on top of the pedals
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I have bought new carpets…
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…but replacing them is not really necessary
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Some cigarette holes. Who had the bad idea to smoke inside my car? 😉
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The rear seat is perfect
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On the center console, a dummy car audio system. I’ll probably replace it, with the speakers
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My two SMs look at each other. I hope none will become jealous 😉
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The roof trimming is nice
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The trunk interior is not too bad
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There is some trace of rust. I don’t want to be depressed so I don’t plan to take off the carpet for the moment 😉
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Here is the engine compartment when the car arrived at my home in April 2007
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Everything is here, I believe…
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…but we can’t say that it’s clean
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Air filters are ugly
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The hydraulic pump and regulator seem to be in good shape. The main accumulator sphere is quite recent
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After a little cleaning, the hydraulic tank is now nice. The brake accumulator sphere (behind the tank) seems ok
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With new front boots and buffers, I should not have any trouble
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There is still some work on the rear suspension. Boots would have to be replaced and, ideally, the hydraulic cylinders should be overhauled (the front ones too)
The car after a partial restoration
Here are some pictures showing the engine compartment after its restoration
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So here is the engine compartment in April 2010, three years (already) after the arrival of the car at home
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Mostly cleaning, but also some repainted parts, it makes a big difference
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This is not just cleaner, it also works better…
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… because a lot of servicing has been done between 2007 and 2009
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This is mainly the work done during 2009 that made a difference…
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… because when you remove almost everything, you can do a deep cleaning
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Posts related to this car
Second parking space
After the 2CV, I had to find a second indoor parking space for rent to store this SM. When she arrived in Canada, I found a temporary space for the winter period but since spring I had the opportunity to fond a space at the same place I already put the...
SM IE: problems with the cooling circuit
After a temporary repair just to bring the car to my home, I have to seriously fix the coolant leak located on the exit duct of the water pump. This duct is usually in very bad shape and its age is often the age of the car. I have to work outside so I work on the...
The epic transatlantic trip of the SM IE: episode 2
Last part of the trip (April 2007) After a few sunny days by the end of March, the community of antique car enthusiasts in Québec is in turmoil 😉 Everybody plans to get his car out of its winter parking space. Of course, I'm no exception, even if we all...
The epic transatlantic trip of the SM IE: episode 1
Departure from France (October 2006) The story begins with the purchase of the car, of course. We are around mid October 2006. After having inspected a few SMs, this is this one my father and me decide to chose. My father goes one more time to the car's...