Introduction & acknowledgements 4 1 A brief history of Citroën 7 The background story 7 The first Citroën cars 14 The Traction Avant 27 The post-war years 31 The DS era 31 2 The SM concept 34 A bold project 37 Chassis details 45 A sharp suit 48 The 1970 Geneva Show 55 3 A date in Paris 108 Initial press reaction 110 The European market 115 The SM in the States 120 Early production changes 122 The SM in competition 122 4 1972 and 1973 model year overview 127 The American market 127 UK news 144 The 1972 rally scene 144 The 1973 model year 145 The UK market 164 America's 1973 season 164 1973 rally news 164 The Ligier connection 188 5 SM specials 189 Heuliez Espace 189 Chapron Mylord 189 The Frua SM 189 State vehicles 192 Chapron Opera 193 6 The twilight years 202 The US & UK scenes 204 Corporate news 207 The 1975 MY SM 211 Ligier news 213 More corporate wranglings 214 Life after the SM 214 7 Appendix: production figures 216 Index 223.