Simca 1000 Coupe by Bertone

Facel Simca 1000 coupe
We look at the last true Simca developed, the 1000 Coupé and, later, the 1200 S Coupé. With the end of the Aronde range, Simca had no sports model in their line up, and so the designers looked at the possibility of creating a sports coupe based on the Simca 1000. Shortly after Simca launched the all-new 1000 Sedan at the 1961 Paris Motor Show, coach-builder Facel (builder of the Simca 8 Sport) presented the French manufacturer with their design for a Coupe version. The idea was to have Facel produice the bodies, but in the judgement of Henri Pigozzi, Simca’s aging but still unusually “hands on” boss, Facel’s proposal lacked the necessary style and was considered unrealistic: there were also concerns that Facel’s parlous financial position might impact the project adversely.

With Bertone contracted to design the body, a young, 23-year-old stylist named Giorgetto Giugiaro was responsible for the winning look. Later named Car Designer of the Century, even in his early work it’s clear that Giugiaro knew what he was doing. He was later to produce such cars as the Lotus Espirit, original Volkswagen Golf, Passat and Sirocco. Because they are very satisfied with the result, Simca sent 13 chassis to Bertone to get them build as a coupe. Simca introduced the Bertone-bodied 1000 Coupe at the 1962 Geneva Motor Show. Before the car actually entered production, the design was further revised. Bertone would not only drawn the cars lines but they also did build the bodyshell. These shells are transported by train on special build carriages to the Simca factory in Poissy. There they would be built between the cars they are based on, the four doors Simca 1000 saloon.

Even though underneath the little coupe was just a four door Simca 1000 economy car, originally developed by Fiat as the successor to the 850. Giugiaro's design was very elegant. With the engine mounted in the back there was no need for a radiator, which allowed for a clean nose design. The cockpit boasted a a large glasshouse with lovely thin pillars.

The buyers of the 1000 Coupé loved the styling but were disappointed by the car’s performance. The diminutive 944cc engine was tweaked, raising the power by 2 bhp to 40 bhp. A few years into the production run this figure was increased to 52 bhp. The straightforward chassis featured independent suspension all-round with a transverse leaf spring at the front and coil springs at the back. Surprisingly, it was one of the few new vehicles on sale—especially at this size—that was sold with four wheel disc brakes as standard. The interior was completely redesigned to suit the Coupe. Inside, buyers were treated to a vastly improved, GT car-like interior, with auxiliary gauges and switches sprinkled on the flat dash.

Designed to compete with the other small coupes of its era like the Renault Floride and Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, the little Simca was short on performance but big on style. Production started in earnest in 1963 and by 1967 10.915 of the small coupes had rolled off the line. Its price was twice that of the 1000 sedan. The 1000 Coupé was replaced by the Simca 1200 S Coupé.

This beautiful Simca 1000 Coupe has a ASI (Automotoclub Storico Italiano) gold plate. The gold plate is only for cars in the best conditions. It was imported from Italy in 2017.

 

Technical data

Simca 1000 Coupe Bertone
Year
1965
Engine
type 315 straight 4
Location
Rear, longitudinally mounted
Construction
cast iron block, alloy head
Displacement
944 cc
Bore x Stroke
68 x 65 mm or 2,7 x 2,6 in
Compression Ratio
9,0 : 1
Fuel feed
Solex 32 PBIC Carburettor
Max. Power
40 bhp at 5.400 rpm
Torque
65 Nm at 3.400 rpm
Top speed
 87 mph or 140 km/h
Weight
1752.7 lbs or 795 kg
Wheelbase
87,4 in or 222 cm
LxWxH or LxBxH
154,5 x 60 x 49,4 in or 392,5 x 152,5 x 125,5 cm
Designer
Giorgetto Giugiaro
Production numbers Simca 1000 Coupe
10.915
Price in 1965
8.995,-- gulden

This car is sold. We have for sale:

For Sale Simca 1000 Coupe                
Coachwork by Bertone
motor: Simca 4 cylinder
               944 cc 40 pk
color: blue
year: 1963
€ 22.000,--
© Kucarfa B.V.