Matchbox/Lesney 51d; Citroën SM

In 1961, Citroën began work on 'Project S' - a sports variant of the wonderful Citroën DS. Citroën bought Maserati in 1968 with the intention of harnessing Maserati's high performance engine technology to produce a true Gran Turismo car, combining the sophisticated Citroën suspension with a Maserati V6 engine. The result was the Citroën SM first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1970. Amazing car.

Matchbox started making their model in 1972 and kept it in the range up to 1978. It was originally in metallic bronze with narrow Superfast wheels. Interiors for the bronze one are cream, yellow or orange. In 1975 the colour was changed to blue and the wheels were changed to wide Superfast. For part of 1975 the car was plain metallic blue being changed during the year to a Streakers version, remaining blue with red and white racing stripes a Citroën logo on the bonnet and a number 8 on the roof. After deletion in 1978 there was a re-release in 1979 (also metallic blue) in a twin pack, this being a rally support car with sponsor logos on the bonnet and a roof rack full of equipment.

Values for the easily found versions are not huge, but some harder to find versions get a good premium. Top of the tree is bronze with narrow wheels and an orange interior. Also worth finding are the plain metallic blue ones, being in production for such a short time, the yellow interior being worth a little more than the cream one on this version.

Matchbox/Lesney 51d; Citroën SM; Bronze, Cream Seats, Silver Base, Narrow Wheels	Matchbox/Lesney 51d; Citroën SM; Metallic Blue, Cream Seats, Unpainted Base, Wide Wheels, Streakers Tampos, 8

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Last Edit: 12/06/2024		Page Added 28/02/2021