I’ve watched Citroën SMs sell at auction for a few years now, where generally only the best are offered – most particularly with manual gearboxes. Auctioneers have no problem attaining prices in the $40k to $60k range. But when it comes to privately offered examples, we see cars with mechanical issues or less desirable options. Today’s 1973 SM is going begging, making for an excellent opportunity to explore value differences in this French mechanical concoction. Introduced in 1970, the SM was meant to be a sporting version of Citroën’s DS, but in the end, it was less a derivative than a blank-sheet engineering triumph. The car introduced Citroën’s DIRAVI power-assisted steering technology, a refined version of its hydropneumatic system, swiveling headlights, and a sophisticated disc brake system. This car is being sold by its second owner with a host of original documents and receipts.

By the time the SM was launched, Citroën had purchased Maserati partially to gain access to a powerful motor that would remain within the bounds of France’s horsepower tax. The SM’s first engine was a ninety-degree 2.7-liter V6 developed by Giulio Alfieri producing about 170 hp. While performance was decent, it didn’t match Citroën’s competitors, many operating with V8 engines. An upgraded 3.0-liter version of the same engine brought a few more hp – about 178. That’s what we find here, coupled with a three-speed Borg Warner automatic. The seller notes that “everything works well” so we can assume that means the hydropneumatics are in good shape.

The interior sports leather bucket seats, Citroën’s characteristic single-spoke steering wheel, and color-matched carpets. The trunk contains the spare – still restrained by the factory-supplied leather straps – and a selection of tools. The sills, headliner, dash, and gauges are in great condition with minimal wear.

A wide variety of underside photos in the listing made choosing just one difficult! This example’s underside is kind of a thing of beauty – dry, dent-free, straight, with some evidence of new parts. This exhaust system, for instance, looks like a fairly recent addition.

The SM’s styling – like the DS’s – is otherworldly. The suggestion of fins in the rear, the long glass hatchback, small wheel spats, upswept waistline at the C-pillar – these elements proved that Citroën hadn’t lost its predilection for making a splash at Geneva. Offered in a rare and attractive blue, this second-owner SM hasn’t attracted even one bid at the opening price of $10,000 here on eBay. Its automatic gearbox is not helpful to its value, but I’m still surprised that this well-kept original is going begging. This similarly tidy example sold for over $18k just days ago. Meanwhile, the market prefers the manual ‘box, as demonstrated by this selection of auction results. Do you think the seller’s asking price is reasonable?