sm presidential

Henri Chapron built 2 SMs for the official duties of the French president. Both were lengthened even more than the 4 door Opera and fully convertible. The cars were immatriculated 2 PR 75 and 3 PR 75 (1 PR 75 was the DS of president De Gaulle). The gearbox was modified so that the car could travel slowly! The visit to France of Her Majesty' Queen Elisabeth II, on 15 May 1972, set the date of the first official outing of the new State convertible of the French Presidency'. This is a special four-door version, with coach- work by Chapron. Registered under the number 2 PR, the car is intended to replace, in the presidential garage, the Chambord convertible dating back to 1959. "Tudor Black" in color (a dark metallic:ed gray), wuh a black hood, this vehicle has an overall length of iS' 41/2" (that is to say 2' 4" longer than the coupe'), but its width (6' 01/4") remains unchanged by' comparison wkh the standard version. The front seats have been moved outwards, and the steering column 2' to the left, to allow for an interpreter's seat facing the passengers in the rear. All mechanical features are the same as in the standard model, but the gear ratios have been modified to allow low-speed running for long periods on end. The SM-type suspension and braking system have been adapted to cope with the vehicle's extra weight.