Successful Model (rating depending on the sale price. See text)

Background to the automobile:
In 1970 again saw a vehicle of the house Citroën stir. These were to the type SM, whose idea historically actually already dates back to 1966. A certain Jacques Né were then commissioned to produce a faster version of the DS, although not simply should be a Grand Tourisme, because instead of parsimony should be offered with the hydraulics and the gas spring spheres and the altitude correction will also find the ride comfort of the DS. However, it lacked a suitable engine. After Citroën but the sports car manufacturer Maserati is calling the shots had procured, the problem seemed to be solved. However, it had been years earlier experimented with own engine developments, but not dared to implement. The engine was then finally developed at Maserati.

The body came from the designer Robert Opron. About the design is debatable, because shape psychologically the SM is less successful than the DS, but is a child of his time, which at that time propagated wedge shape of the Italians (Bertone) while bearing in mind fucking futuristic worked and just totally different looked like all other vehicles of the time, so that each SM driver immediately attracted the attention of people around itself. These certainly contributed to the front end, were hidden in the headlights and license plate behind a glass surface. Front there were six halogen headlamps with automatic height correction, of which the two spotlights even mitlenkten. He also received a self resetting power steering, which caused confusion at first, but from a safety point well proven. The CW value of the SM could be compared to the DS improved by 25%. The trade press showered the SM only so with praise, yet the SM also had an Achilles' heel: the V6 Maserati. In contrast to the honest and reliable engines of the DS of high-performance motor demanded consuming maintenance. Coupled with a few teething problems, he had more than a year after its launch, the image to be capricious and unreliable, especially as a negligent maintenance was punished with costly repairs, of which probably can also report any Ferrari driver. In particular, the undersized timing chain tensioner made in many SM vehicles for the early Exitus.

The five-speed gearbox of the SM was built by Citroën itself, the last courses were translated very long and therefore easily enabled high continuous speeds. With a top speed, which was 225 km / h and the SM was in its time the fastest front-wheel drive production car in the world. In small numbers Special models were built at Henri Chapron, the (4-door) or My Lord heard names like Opera. The value of the SM Convertible Chapron now stands at about 450,000 European talers, while you have to put about 350,000 dollars on the table for a well-preserved Opera. In addition, there was a SM prototype with 380 hp, with which you then 275 km / h top speed reached.

At some point you had by proper maintenance and the vagaries of the motor in the handle. But then came the oil crisis and speeding was politically questionable for safety reasons. After the divorce of Maserati and the integration of Citroen in the PSA group, the loss-making car was painted in 1975 from the program. Today the scientific community, especially authors and automotive design sprayed again hang up a lot of praise on the unusual vehicle, which possibly also the model manufacturer Norev prompting, the SM as a metal replica (Die Cast). With Maserati grew from the shared plans with Citroën for a sports sedan, another small plant, which Quattroporte said.

For Model:
Norev is one of the model car manufacturers in the premium segment of the middle class. In my opinion, Norev floats high in many cases around the level of the German manufacturer Minichamps, but is much cheaper. Anyway, many French cars are available in 1:18 flat and only when no alternative Norev. The model of the SM leaves an impression of quality and also stands out detail to the original. The interior has been designed and a felt-like multi-colored carpet can be inside not only see but also feel for. Gearshift, window cranks or printed advertisements are clearly visible. In addition, the model has a few moving parts. So you can open the two front doors, as well as the engine hood and the tailgate. A highlight is the fact that the parcel shelf can be raised. In addition, the hydropneumatic suspension can empathize and thus adjust the suspension in height. The engine is designed color spartan but well modeled total for the price range. The windows are open in the doors except for the triangular window, so unfortunately can introduce dust into the interior. With launch of this model the starting price was 32 talers. But after one Operating enormous price increase policy at Mini Champs, one moved to at Norev. My rating I would accept to over 50 European taler. Who is patient and shop around when opportunity will receive the model car also under these conditions.