The introduction of the Maserati V6 powered Citroen SM in 1970 was a godsend for French national pride. At last France had a luxury car to take on the world, and the Presidence de la Republique wasted no time in ordering two long-wheelbase SM cabriolets, which were delivered in 1972. Not that they were a promising basis for a presidential limo - the SM was really a supercar, and its elegant body required a lot of reworking to accommodate such unusual duties and large egos. Powered by four-cam Maserati V6 engines, the stretched SMs are still officially in use by the Elysee Palace, although the last time they made an appearance was in the mid '90s, for a visit by The Queen.
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