The Simca 1000 was a boxy four door sedan with an all aft engine lay-out. When launched in 1961 it was seen as a competitor to the Renault Dauphine, but it looked more like the R8 which appeared in 1962.
Over time various engine sizes became available ranging from 800 cc, the original 944 cc to the 1294 cc that became the engine for the so-called Rallye versions.
In 1962 Simca presented a coupe version, designed and built by Bertone. The bodies were put on special train wagons, for final assembly in France. The car had four disc brakes but apart from that no changes were made to chassis or the engine. Nevertheless with 52 BHP the car could reach almost 160 kph. Just over 10,000 of this model were made.
In 1967 the much improved 1200S variant appeared, which had now 80 BHP on the tap coming from a 1204 cc engine. As a further improvement the single link swing axles were replaced by trailing arms with double links. Top speed was now more than 170 kph.
Production ended in 1971 and 14,741 cars were produced.
Here is one shot at the LeMans track parking place during the Tour Auto 2004
"I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams
Reply With Quote