By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse
Visit any classic car show today and it’s rare you’ll see a Simca in any line-up.
It’s sad really as from the 1940s onwards Simca became serious French manufacturers as well as a pretty successful exporter to European and UK markets.
So how did Simca get started and why did the name disappear?
Its Italian roots
The company was founded by Henri Theodore Pigozzi in 1934 to make Simca cars in France under license with Fiat and using their designs.
By the 1950s, the company was doing very well and Simca decided to break away from their Italian ‘partners’ and make their own cars.
A major European brand
In the 1960s cars like the rear-engined Simca 1000 saloon were achieving massive sales and years later, in 1967, the company launched the front-wheel drive Simca 1100 hatchback and again to sales success.
Interest from the US
In the 50s and 60s Chrysler began buying into Simca and in 1970 Simca was rebranded Chrysler France as the US car giant took over its French counterpart. It seemed the writing was on the wall for Simca.
Chrysler might have wanted a strong presence in Europe but as the oil crisis hit in the 70s their ambitions here waned.
Enter Talbot
After PSA Peugeot-Citroen bought Chrysler’s European operation, including Simca, a new name (but old brand) in Talbot emerged.
What happened to Simca-badged cars?
Sadly, cars like the Simca 1307 (also known as the Talbot Alpine), a winner of European Car of the Year (in 1976) and the Horizon, a winner in 1979, would fall victim to PSA’s ambitions and by the 80s the names Simca and Talbot were consigned to the history books.
Its legacy
It might have been a ‘bumpy’ journey but over the years Simca produced millions of affordable and practical cars. If you’re not familiar with some of their models then it’s worth checking out the punchy Simca 1000 and its classy cousin, the Coupe 1000 or the versatile 1100 hatchback.
Going back further the styling of the Simca Sport 8 drew on Italian influence and became one of the most desirable European coupes of the post-war period.