Editing Citroën SM (section)

==Variants==
The factory produced just a single body style – a [[Left- and right-hand traffic|LHD]] two-door [[fastback]] fixed head coupé, but the design did inspire a variety of derivatives, none produced in any quantity.

<gallery widths="220" heights="150">
File:Citroën SM présidentielle - trois-quart.JPG|1972 Citroën SM présidentielle
File:Paris - Retromobile 2014 - Citroën SM Mylord Cabriolet Chapron - 1975 - 003.jpg|1975 Citroën SM Mylord – sold at auction in 2014 for €548,320 (US$754,220)
File:SM Opera ar.jpg|1974 Citroën SM Opéra
File:1972 Citroën SM breadvan.jpg|"Breadvan", short-wheelbase racing variant
File:1972 Citroën SM Frua.jpg|1972 Citroën SM Frua concept
</gallery>

Coachbuilder [[Henri Chapron]] from [[Levallois-Perret]] produced several very collectible variants of the SM.

French Presidents from [[Georges Pompidou]] to [[Jacques Chirac]] enjoyed touring Paris in the two 4-door convertible Citroën SM ''présidentielle'' models, sharing them with such notables as [[Pope John Paul II]] and visiting heads of state. The inaugural drive for this version was a month after completion, by Pompidou and Queen [[Elizabeth II]] in May 1972.<ref name=Retro0859>{{cite magazine | title = La République en Mouvement | trans-title = The Republic on the Move | language = fr | page = 59 | ref = EH08 | first = Eric | last = Hélaine | magazine = Rétroviseur | date = October 2008 | number = 238 | publisher = Éditions LVA | location = Fontainebleau, France | issn = 0992-5007 }}</ref> Built by Chapron to a design by Citroën, the chassis was stretched by {{cvt|52|cm|in|1}} to an overall length of {{cvt|5.60|m|in|1}}.<ref name=Retro0859/> These manual transmission cars have special low gearing and additional cooling suitable for parade use, allowing them to travel at a speed of {{cvt|6-7|km/h|mph|1}}.<ref name=Retro0857>[[#JV08|Hélaine (2008)]], p. 57.</ref> They also feature a small, rearward-facing dropdown seat for the use of a translator or secretary, and an electrically powered top with hydraulic actuators.<ref name=Retro0857/> The SM présidentielles served for 37 years and were retired with around {{cvt|25000|km|mi}} on their odometers.<ref name=Retro0859/>

Chapron also created five convertibles (SM Mylord) and seven sedans (SM Opéra). Original examples of these rare models are very valuable – the last ''MyLord'' sale recorded was for €548,320 in February 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.artcurial.com/en/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=2400+++++326+&refno=10448628 |title=Rétromobile 2014 & Solo Alfa by Artcurial Motorcars - Sale N° 2400 - Lot N° 326 &#124; Artcurial &#124; Briest - Poulain - F. Tajan |access-date=20 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923174056/http://www.artcurial.com/en/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=2400+++++326+&refno=10448628 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Some SM owners have made their own copies of the SM convertible in particular.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/automobile/2014/01/22/30002-20140122ARTFIG00535-sm-chapron-cabriolet-oh-mylord.php|title=Citroën SM Chapron Cabriolet, oh Mylord !|work=Le Figaro|date=22 January 2014}}</ref> Unlike the DS, the factory never authorized a convertible model, as Citroën felt the roof was integral to the structure of the SM.<ref>'Citroën SM' Osprey Autohistory, Jeff Daniels, 1981, {{ISBN|0-85045-381-X}}</ref> On the SM, the roof and rear quarter panels were welded on.

In 1971, [[Heuliez]] produced two examples of [[Hardtop#Pillarless hardtops|pillarless]] [[targa top]] convertible, the SM Espace.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.artcurial.com/en/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=2138+++++217+&refno=10394694 |title=Sport & GTS au Mans Classic - Sale N° 2138 - Lot N° 217 &#124; Artcurial |access-date=31 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304202723/http://www.artcurial.com/en/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=2138+++++217+&refno=10394694 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Unlike the factory SM, the rear quarter windows could retract into the bodywork.

Just before the SM's demise, Citroën produced several short-wheelbase racing versions with squared-off rear sections and highly tuned engines – known as the "breadvan" model.

In the UK, three official RHD prototypes were constructed by ''Middleton Motors'', a Citroën dealer in [[Hertfordshire]], England. At least one of these prototypes still survives.

In Australia, 12 cars were converted to RHD by ''Chappel Engineering'' in [[Melbourne]], Australia for ''Dutton's'' (the Australian importer of Citroën at the time).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/lot/ABN0FCE159F3CA6P/#.VG0WVYu4lsY|title=Citroen SM Coupe (RHD) Auctions – Lot 24 – Shannons|work=shannons.com.au|access-date=19 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129171721/http://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/lot/ABN0FCE159F3CA6P/#.VG0WVYu4lsY|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Cars are still being modified with RHD controls and dashboards for the Australian market, where RHD is mandatory.

In the U.S., 100 cars were fitted with an electric sliding steel sunroof built by [[American Specialty Cars|ASC]].

[[Pietro Frua|Frua]] also proposed a concept car based on the SM, a front-wheel-drive car that closely resembled the mid-engine [[Maserati Merak]].

In the spring of 1974, Maserati created a special {{convert|260|HP|order=flip|abbr=on|0}} 4.0&nbsp;L V8 engine based on the latest C114-11 engine variant. This engine, installed in a standard SM, tested over 12,000 kilometers. The engine was then removed and preserved, while the rest of the car was destroyed by [[Alejandro de Tomaso]]. The SM Club of France created an exact replica of this car using the actual engine from the original and displayed it at the [[Rétromobile]] 2010 show.<ref name="autoweek.com"/>

Unfortunately, the intended recipient never received this V8. The [[Maserati Quattroporte II]] was a [[Maserati]]-badged, four-door variant of the SM with an angular body and lengthened floorpan. The six headlights were retained and the later 'SS' version of the engine fitted. This model was introduced at the time of Citroën's bankruptcy in 1974. It entered production in 1976 and only twelve were produced between then and 1978.<ref name="Tabucchi">{{Cite book | last = Tabucchi | first = Maurizio | title = Maserati: The Grand Prix, Sports and GT cars model by model, 1926–2003 | publisher = Giorgio Nada Editore s.r.l. | location = Milano | pages = 288–289 | year = 2003 | isbn = 8879112600 }}</ref>