History and Design of Simca 1100
Simca is one of the leading automotive symbols in France. It is a small, economical sedan that shone brightly in the European and South American markets during the 1960s and 1970s.
Among the most popular cars of the brand were the Simca 1000, Simca 1100, and its rally car model. The Simca 1000 featured a four-door box design and utilized a four-cylinder rear engine.
In rally models, it was equipped with a stronger engine and an improved suspension.
Now that we’re at BestGermanCar , an online Shopping Store for Styling equipment and Tuning Car Part , this Article will introduce and examine this French automotive symbol, the Simca 1000, along with its other famous models. So stay tuned.
Simca 1100 Design
The Simca 1100 was introduced in the 1960s as a state-of-the-art car that, unlike the Simca 1000, featured a front engine. This capability, along with the rear axle with independent suspension, marked a turning point in the automotive industry.
In fact, this car set new standards for small family vehicles. The spacious interior and smooth ride captivated many families during that decade.
As a result, it became one of the best-selling cars in Europe and achieved significant success.
Although production ceased in the 1980s and it later came under the ownership of Talbot, it is said to have influenced many modern cars, such as hatchbacks.
In addition, the power of the Simca 1100 engine varied from 50 to 82 hp depending on the model, as it was made with gasoline engines of low to medium displacement.
These included engines with displacements of 944 cc, 1118 cc, 1204 cc, and 1294 cc.
The Simca sports model, also known as the Ti extension, featured a more powerful engine and became a serious competitor to the sports cars of its time.
This car, along with the Simca 1000, gained popularity not only in France but also globally. However, the car, which was a symbol of aesthetics and innovation in the 1960s, remains recognized as one of the most successful products from Simca.
Evolution of the Simca Logo
The Simca brand, which has two popular cars in its product portfolio, namely the Simca 1000 and Simca 1100, has always undergone many changes in logo design and ownership. Founded in 1934, the French automaker initially had a logo with a simple, stylized design that included the name Simca.
It was a classic and elegant logo that reflected the brand’s connection to Fiat.
The logo lasted until 1970, when the Chrysler Automobile Company acquired Simca. The logo was then changed to feature a Chrysler 5-star along with the name Simca.
Following this, a combination of European and American designs was incorporated into the design of Simca cars.
Chrysler’s European division was eventually handed over to Peugeot Citroën. This led to the production of models called Simca-Talbot for a while, albeit briefly. Simca eventually gave way to Talbot.
In the final years before the Simca brand was removed, the logo enjoyed a more modern design with bold typography and a simpler symbol.
This could have been a sign of the impact it had on the brand’s identity. However, it is an undeniable fact that the Simca logo is a symbol of the rich history and ups and downs of this famous French brand, which gained popularity by producing two well-known models: the Simca 1000 and the Simca 1100.
Features of Simca 1000 Rallye Model
As the name of the Simca 1000 Rallye suggests, it was the rally version of the Simca 1000, a more optimized hatchback for competitions produced between 1969 and 1972.
It was actually a sporty version of the popular Simca 1000, featuring a 4-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1.1 liters. The engine delivered a linear performance of 53 horsepower and provided a respectable 0 to 60 time.
For example, its acceleration from 0 to 60 was about 19.6 seconds, and its maximum speed was 145 kilometers per hour.
The remarkable feature that made the Simca 1000 Rallye a powerful and popular car was its rear-engine and rear-differential layout.
This configuration provided excellent handling and helped control the car in tight turns, as evidenced by its slalom test performance, where the car achieved a speed of 55.4 km/h.
In fact, the slalom test, conducted to assess the maneuverability of cars, demonstrated that the Simca 1000 Rallye had high maneuverability.
Additionally, it had a fuel consumption of about 8.4 to 10.4 liters per 100 km. Beyond its rally capabilities, it was a compact and sporty car ideal for enjoying winding routes, such as mountain roads.
Simca 1000 Rallye 2 Specifications
This rally car was an improved model of its predecessor, the Simca 1000 Rallye, a sports hatchback produced between 1972 and 1975.
The Simca 1000 Rallye 2 uses a 1.3-liter inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 82 horsepower and 108 Newton meters of torque.
It made significant technical improvements, allowing it to reach 60 km/h in 5 seconds, with a maximum speed of 167 km/h.
In addition to more power and acceleration, the Simca 1000 Rallye 2’s suspension and brake system were also enhanced. It provided excellent steering and agile handling, along with a lightweight of 875 kg.
Furthermore, the fuel consumption of this car is about 8.9 to 12.4 liters per 100 kilometers, making it a vehicle that performs well in the technical sector, especially regarding its engine.
Differences Between Simca 1000 Rallye and Rallye 2
Both the Simca 1000 Rallye and the Simca 1000 Rallye 2 are popular cars with a sporty and compact design.
These cars offer a combination of power and agile handling, providing a pleasant driving experience. However, the Rallye 2 has undergone significant improvements over its predecessor.
To better understand this, we have made a comparison between the two cars in the table below:
| Comparison options | Simca 1000 Rallye | Simca 1000 Rallye 2 |
| Year of production | 1969-1972 | 1972-1975 |
| Engine | 1.1 liter straight 4 cylinder | 1.3liter straight 4 cylinder |
| Power | 53 horsepower | 82 horsepower |
| Torque | 83 N.m | 108 N.m |
| Acceleration 0 to 60 | 19.6 seconds | 11.8 seconds |
| Maximum speed | 145 km/h | 167 km/h |
| Weight | 730 kg | 875 kg |
| Fuel consumption is 100 kilometers | 8.4 to 10.4 liters | 8.9 to 12.4 liters |
Pricing Details for Simca 1000
Since the Simca 1000 is no longer produced, today only its functional cars are available for sale. Most have also acquired a collectible aspect.
The car was priced at around $1,500 to $2,000 at launch in the 1960s, making it relatively cheap and affordable.
However, today, the price of Simca 1000 cars varies depending on the model and year of manufacture, technical condition, physical condition, and the equipment they have.
In various auctions, the car costs anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $16,000.
conclusion
The Simca 1000 was undoubtedly a small, economical sedan with high popularity. The car, which had several different sports and coupe models, won the title of the best-selling car in France and even Europe.
It featured a four-cylinder rear-wheel drive engine that provided a pleasant driving experience due to its agile and responsive handling.
The Simca 1000, a symbol of French automotive design, is now recognized as a classic and nostalgic vehicle.
