Need some Citroen help
 

I am looking at a Citroen SM as a restoration project (I know, I know). The windshield is cracked and I don't see them available anywhere - I checked eBay, the Citroen parts houses, and the local glass shops told me it's not available.
If I can't get a windshield I can't drive the car and if I can't drive the car there's no sense in restoring it. Does anyone know where I can find a windshield for a 1973 Citroen SM?

What do hot rod builders / custom car builders do with a chopped roof line? They must be able to get custom made glass somewhere...

I would look at Hemmings Motor News, and hit the web for Citroen clubs and restoration specialists, such as: Citroen SM World

I could swear that I read an article in the NY Times several months ago that featured a Citroen SM restoration specialist, but found only this: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/21/automobiles/collectibles/21RUST.html

You would do well to contact the forum member "strelnik" who does Citroen in a big way!

For a member with so few posts on the forum, you seem well acquainted with the practices of other forum members. Why is that?

Speed reading, encyclopedic memory and a superior intellect. What makes it a matter for your concern and inquiry?

Just wanting to confirm that I was in fact dealing with a superior intellect and not some former banned member showing up in yet another disguise.

Scary thought, huh?

I would look for a SM parts car, they do show up on craigslist or eBay.

Good luck with your project. One of if not my all time favorite car and hope to own one of them one day.

I'll 2nd Scratches idea of finding someone who can simply make you a new windshield. It can be much cheaper then you might expect. The trick is getting the size and shape specs to them correctly.

Call up Jerry Hathaway at SM World in CA, he can get you one.

HOWEVER: you should RUN from this car unless it's free.

These cars are restorable, but are even more expensive to restore than an Adenauer and probably not as fast!

This is the one Edsel that Citroen produced because it got caught in the 1973 oil embargo and got a de-tuned smaller engine in a car that can weigh as much as 2900 lbs, awful heavy for a Cit.. Michelin allowed the Italians to design the power train and the French to do the body, instead of vice versa. They forgot that the late Flaminio Bertoni designed both the Traction Avant and the DS bodies, plus the 2CV. Let the French do the engine and the Italians the style. Personally, I think it would have been a better choice.

Only the Maserati 3.0L with manual is an acceptable power train.

Assuming NO body work, expect to spend 8,000 on what's under the hood for restoration.

Many problems:
- premature failure of timing chain, a friend has a patent on a special timing chain tensions+chain replacement
- problems with cheap corroding carb parts or amazingly defective early Bosch D-jet systems
- problems with crumbling piston rings which score the walls almost beyond repair
- problems with Diravi steering and poorly-designed, leaking Teflon seals for the LHM system

Oddball LHM hydraulic pump drive shaft which can fail.

Brakes that need rebuild for sure, even tho most LHM brakes on DS cars do not.

Frame rust everywhere.

This is just off the top of my head.

Unless you live in Phoenix or St Tropez or Le Garn, the rust and the finickiness of this car will bankrupt you.

A DS21 is a much better choice.

In 18 months I'll have one to sell you, ground up restored.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

PS: Notice NO SM cars in my stable?

^^ Yeah, I noticed. I still have the Cit bug , despite having to junk a DS19 that I just couldn't get to before retirement.

There's a GSA wagon for sale locally that is tempting me. Really still want a decent DS or 2CV...someday. No interest whatsoever in SM (aptly named).

Too bad you junked the DS19, I would have come down and offered you money to remove items.

Are you forgetting? You had your chance, but your offers were for stuff I already had too much of ( not money, which I don't have too much of):)

Yep, I do, come to think of it. Am looking mostly for the unobtainium parts that wear out on the running cars.

I just picked up a 2CV truckette which I am now working on as well, now that I got more workshop space. Will probably sell it in the summer, when I have another one coming.

I wanted to make a diesel version, but can't find a small diesel to adapt to FWD for the 2CV.

With two fuel tanks, it would be a 1000 mile car between fill ups. The perfect commuter.