Last month we featured exterior and engine bay photos of “A Citroën SM like No Other”. Canadian aviation pioneer Bob Deimert did some serious modifications to his SM after purchasing it when it had succumbed to an engine fire! Bob was reportedly able to achieve over 300 km/hr in it before setting it aside in his workshop in Carman, Manitoba where it sat for a number of years before Trystn Vacek saw if for sale on Facebook and bought it.
We now have some additional information from Trystn who is working on getting it running again. He reports that the rear suspension is original with spheres sitting horizontally. It appears that Bob’s “changes” were focused on the front of the SM and the interior.
First, here are a more pics of the engine bay. It’s nothing like you’ll ever see in a factory original SM.
And check out the interior!
The padded dashboard cover was done not only for added safety while driving at high speeds, but also to hide the damage caused by a fire.
The bottle in the foot well is starting fluid that’s plumed directly to the intake to aid with starting with the aircraft carburetor.
The device mounted below the shift lever is a control module for the musical horn that still works.
The steering wheel is in great condition. We typically see them “bubbled and burnt” at the top due to exposure from sunlight. Other than Bob’s “Maserati Turbo” decal, it looks almost new! To the left of that are temperature and pressure gauges along with an assortment of buttons, knobs and switches that have some markings but will need to be verified.
The ceiling mounted array of 10 toggle switches is going to be fun to figure out! Below the switches is a pyrometer gauge to measure the exhaust gas temperature. And yet another mystery is what the 15 position rotary switch does?
Just add wings and call it a Fantomas SM!
Update — May 6, 2025: Trystn reports; Some good news with the SM. It runs! Poured some fuel down the carb and it lit as soon as the crank was in motion. Took a moment to build oil pressure but once it did it’s quiet as can be. Once it ran for a few minutes the rear suspension did rise to the jacking position. I didn’t notice any difference in the front. I’ll keep you updated as I keep plucking away at it.
