Citroen SM anyone? - Page 2

davew833 · #16 12-14-2009, 10:55 PM

Haha! 'Real Genius' with Val Kilmer and a bunch of other young forgettables. I just watched that again the other night- classic '80s movie!

There's a black mid-'80s Citroen CX that I see regularly at an office building about 2 blocks from where I work. Definitely unique!

Royal Tiger · #17 12-18-2009, 01:41 PM

Has anyone figured out why the french designed (?) such ugly vehicles? I say that with trepidation, as Subaru seems to be trying of late to be french far east division. The first gen Tribeca and newest Legacy are far cries from the late 90's Impreza and SVX.

Yes I realize french are "quirky", but the Germans have made far better vehicles in terms of performance, not mention looks and durability. The Italians got the looks part, and performance, but durability is an issue.

Ever wonder who "really" won WWII? The Germans, Italians, and Japanese are sure doing better then the french, British, and US in the car business. Of course that was with billions of US money after the war was over. Interesting thing to ponder.

dbarnblatt · #18 12-18-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royal Tiger

Has anyone figured out why the french designed (?) such ugly vehicles?

Quite a statement coming from an SVX owner! I think the SM is just as beautiful of not more so than most cars... including our beloved SVX!

I can't imagine the word ugly describing this:

benebob · #19 12-18-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarnblatt

Quite a statement coming from an SVX owner! I think the SM is just as beautiful of not more so than most cars... including our beloved SVX!

I can't imagine the word ugly describing this:

RT doesn't get out of his valley all that often

I wouldn't call it beautiful but like most Subarus through the mid 90s I can appriciate the engineering a car for function dictating form. In a world of cookie cutter cars it is always refreshing to see a unique approach... esp. one filled with such technical innovations!

Royal Tiger · #20 12-18-2009, 06:31 PM

The SM isn't bad. I actually liked the XM (?) in the movie Ronin. I should have been more specific with gems like the orange one from European Vacation. Sorry. I can't find any french car that can compare with a Cayman S or the new Boxster Spyder though.

Your sig made me smile. TVR's are like kit cars compared to a Porsche.

kcbsvx · #21 12-19-2009, 07:28 PM

The suspension and brakes are powered by a 2200 psi hydraulic system with hundreds of little rubber seals that become brittle with both time and non use. On most barn cars you will replace the leaking seals over here and the new found pressure will cause leaks over there, ad infinitum.

We had Citroens as our only daily drivers for over 10 years. One was a 1968 ID 19 B light weight that had a built motor balanced in a dragster shop in San Jose, DS leather interior, body restoration in the local Rolls shop, "all" new seals, etc, etc. It was my all time favorite car, but I often thought of finding a big glass box to put it in before something went wrong.

The two reddish cars behind the SM in the Monterey photo are an SM pickup truck conversion "tow car"and a saltflats SM by the team at the "SM World" shop in LA... the SM equivalent to YT and the AWD guys for the SVX.

SMs are even more difficult and expensive to live with than SVXi. If you want one, buy the best example you can find and be prepared to love it most of the time and only hate it occasionally.

They are fabulous motor cars.

crazyhorse · #22 12-20-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoxerFanatic

Speaking of DS... that reminds me of a funny old 80s era movie...

"Is that your car, Kent? You know you aren't allowed to park that on campus..."
(as Kent's bright yellow DS is snoring on it's hydro-pneumatic suspension, with lights blinking, in kent's dorm room bed.)

"You must get even with Kent. It is a moral imperative!"

Great movie... anyone else remember that one?

I HATE popcorn!

Pure Genius is one of my faves