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The then-President of France Georges Pompidou (1911-1974) had a modified SM built at his request in 1972. The presidential DS, as used by his predecessor Charles de Gaulle, had a fixed roof, but Pompidou wanted to sit in the open air. The construction of new royal transport was once again entrusted to Citroën. The design department, led by Robert Opron, draw the car. The designs were then sent to coachbuilder Henri Chapron, who took charge of building the four-door convertible. In total, Citroën delivered two SMs to Chapron. It was not Georges Pompidou who had the honour of taking the first drive. None other than Queen Elizabeth II was the first to step into the back in May 1972 in Paris. The car is 5.603 meters long and weighs 1,780 kg. Further modifications include a modified gearbox (for driving at walking speed), front seats moved outwards to accomodate a folding seat at the rear (for an interpreter), a steering column shifted 6 cm to the left, and the repositioning of the handbrake, now next to the center console.
Two identical cars were built (2 PR 75 & 3 PR 75). Both cars are still owned by the French state.
55 Years of Citroën SM
SM'art26 - International Citroën SM meeting 2026
Louwman Museum
Den Haag, the Netherlands.
Video: youtu.be/XNlDQ6Jyk8c