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The SM era, 1971 – 1975

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Citroën SM

The top-of-the-range SM was launched in suitably top-of-the-range style in 1971, via promotional events and a press kit for professionals.

Sales were promising in the launch year. With 5,000 units in 1971, SM registrations matched its critical reception. Sadly, the ensuing years were somewhat less rosy. Sales dropped so much that Citroën halted production in 1975.

The SM’s career was cut short by the oil crisis and the introduction of new speed limits on motorways.

The first oil crisis utterly changed our view of the automobile, as did the road safety laws limiting motorway speeds introduced at the same time. Buying and owning a GT vehicle at this time was reserved for passionate fans only.

Citroën announced it was stopping production of the SM in summer 1975, with these words: “The SM was born from speed and died with speed”.

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