Citroen SM Recession Beater
Discussion
I bought a Citroen SM today, not the best one in the world, but it was cheap, in SM terms.
Sold as a runner that wouldn't run for some reason, it is a late LHD US spec car with a 3 liter engine and manual gearbox. Was gold with a tan interior and 45,000 miles up.
Initial inspection seemed to confirm it as being rust free, having been imported into Europe a few years ago.
Opening the bonnet looking at the state of it all and talking to the owner all gave me a good vibe, so what could go wrong? I paid.
I woke up this morning in Lincolnshire, drove to West London and hauled it back by Lunchtime.
The interesting thing about the car is that is was painted black when it was 2 years old and that black paint is now flaking off in chunks due to the Sun. The dash survived.
So it cost a fair chunk of cash, looks like something off Mad Max, doesn't run and is about the most complicated, notoriously unreliable car ever made. However I like it.
The car is complete, the interior quite nice although it needs front seat covers. It came with UK reg and and nice set of Euro lights for me to deal with.
Need I remind you that moving a dead SM ox CX is quite challenging unless you own a grab and a crusher, however we made it on and off the trailer with neither of us getting damaged.
Straight into the workshops after lunch this afternoon. For those of you who dont know me, I am a serial car restorer.
This is not a restoration project however. My plan is to sort it out in no short order.
Getting it on the lift took a few minutes, the tine extensions worked well. When an SM is down it is really really low. 10-15 psi tyre pressure didn't help. 40 psi was better for clearance. I protected the underside of the car with wooden blocks. It is definitely nose heavy. Up into the air she went.
Close inspection of the underside with a torch. She is best described as absolutely mint. Result. No rust, no welding, no dents.
If I get A minute tomorrow I will suit up and blast it all clean with a 3 phase washer in preparation for re-coating and waxing after paint.
|https://thumbsnap.com/RwzYmX9M[/url]
The engine oil, although clean smelled of petrol varnish. So I dropped it and 7 fresh liters went back in. You need a 17mm allen key to undo the sump nut. Possibly the car has been shunted around for a few years. I hope no bore wash damage. V6 rebuild costs are running at £10k at the moment apparently, So I wish to avoid that.
LHM and coolant looked OK. I will replace both shortly, as I really want this car on the key.
Battery dead, I attached a replacement. The battery that came with it has gone on a recondition cycle. Might work.
Fuel drained. It came out clear, however didn't smell of much. I chucked some on the incinerator. It wouldn't burn! No octane. I would guess it was 10 years old+. Took and hour to drain it all from the tiny 11mm drain plug. Fresh fuel in the tank now. Smells nice and explosive.
Engine now spinning nicely, sounds like compression.
Steering wheel returned to center as the hydraulic pressure built.
I put fresh plugs in and turned the key. Up she struck sounding great. The car rose up however it was time to go out to dinner.
More excitement to report tomorrow I hope.
Sold as a runner that wouldn't run for some reason, it is a late LHD US spec car with a 3 liter engine and manual gearbox. Was gold with a tan interior and 45,000 miles up.
Initial inspection seemed to confirm it as being rust free, having been imported into Europe a few years ago.
Opening the bonnet looking at the state of it all and talking to the owner all gave me a good vibe, so what could go wrong? I paid.
I woke up this morning in Lincolnshire, drove to West London and hauled it back by Lunchtime.
The interesting thing about the car is that is was painted black when it was 2 years old and that black paint is now flaking off in chunks due to the Sun. The dash survived.
So it cost a fair chunk of cash, looks like something off Mad Max, doesn't run and is about the most complicated, notoriously unreliable car ever made. However I like it.
The car is complete, the interior quite nice although it needs front seat covers. It came with UK reg and and nice set of Euro lights for me to deal with.
Need I remind you that moving a dead SM ox CX is quite challenging unless you own a grab and a crusher, however we made it on and off the trailer with neither of us getting damaged.
Straight into the workshops after lunch this afternoon. For those of you who dont know me, I am a serial car restorer.
This is not a restoration project however. My plan is to sort it out in no short order.
Getting it on the lift took a few minutes, the tine extensions worked well. When an SM is down it is really really low. 10-15 psi tyre pressure didn't help. 40 psi was better for clearance. I protected the underside of the car with wooden blocks. It is definitely nose heavy. Up into the air she went.
Close inspection of the underside with a torch. She is best described as absolutely mint. Result. No rust, no welding, no dents.
If I get A minute tomorrow I will suit up and blast it all clean with a 3 phase washer in preparation for re-coating and waxing after paint.
|https://thumbsnap.com/RwzYmX9M[/url]The engine oil, although clean smelled of petrol varnish. So I dropped it and 7 fresh liters went back in. You need a 17mm allen key to undo the sump nut. Possibly the car has been shunted around for a few years. I hope no bore wash damage. V6 rebuild costs are running at £10k at the moment apparently, So I wish to avoid that.
LHM and coolant looked OK. I will replace both shortly, as I really want this car on the key.
Battery dead, I attached a replacement. The battery that came with it has gone on a recondition cycle. Might work.
Fuel drained. It came out clear, however didn't smell of much. I chucked some on the incinerator. It wouldn't burn! No octane. I would guess it was 10 years old+. Took and hour to drain it all from the tiny 11mm drain plug. Fresh fuel in the tank now. Smells nice and explosive.
Engine now spinning nicely, sounds like compression.
Steering wheel returned to center as the hydraulic pressure built.
I put fresh plugs in and turned the key. Up she struck sounding great. The car rose up however it was time to go out to dinner.
More excitement to report tomorrow I hope.
Edited by politeperson on Sunday 18th September 21:10
Edited by politeperson on Sunday 18th September 21:14
Edited by politeperson on Sunday 18th September 21:22
Edited by politeperson on Sunday 18th September 21:27
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