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.

 

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