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Simca 1000 in (historical) test - simplicity and efficiency for Europe

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Created on May 5, 1962

Text:

Olaf v. Fersen

Photos:

Archiv

33

Archiv

33

Simca 1000 (1962) - Stopover in Zurich

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Simca 1000 (1962) - Prototype on test drive

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Simca 1000 (1962) - it is sure to be admired at the 1962 Paris Motor Show

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Simca 1000 (1962) - from all angles

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Simca 1000 (1962) - simple appearance - photo from sales brochure

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Simca 1000 (1962) - the small rear-wheel drive car as a movie star

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Simca 1000 (1962) - at the 1962 Paris Motor Show

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Simca 1000 (1962) - pretty to look at

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Simca 1000 (1962) - four doors, some luggage space

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Simca 1000 (1962) - easy front and rear access

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Simca 1000 (1963) - thanks to the rear engine, a spacious luggage compartment could be created at the front

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Simca 1000 (1963) - straightforward design and rear engine

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Simca 1000 (1962) - Driver's workplace

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Simca 1000 GL (1964) - Dashboard

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Simca 1000 (1962) - View of the interior

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Simca 1000 (1962) - An advertising picture for the Simca 1000

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Simca 1000 (1962) - plenty of space in the luggage compartment

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Simca 1000 GL (1964) - ready for the test drive

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Simca 1000 (1962) - there's room for all the luggage

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Simca 1000 (1962) - the front luggage compartment is easy to load

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Simca 1000 (1962) - the engine is just as accessible to mechanics as the interior is to passengers

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Simca 1000 (1962) - View into the engine compartment

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Simca 1000 (1962) - View into the engine compartment

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Simca 1000 (1962) - See-through drawing reveals all the technology

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Simca 1000 (1962) - X-ray vision

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Simca 1000 GL (1963) - more luxuriously equipped model variant

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Simca 1000 (1962) - small, four-door sedan

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Simca 1000 (1962) - Scenery in the park

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Simca 1000 (1963) - for the whole family - from a sales brochure

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Simca 1000 Coupé (1963) - the dream of youth in the sixties

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Simca 1000 Coupé (1963) - elegant yet sporty appearance

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Simca 1000 Coupé (1962) - pre-series: Bertone emblem on the rear fender instead of the front fender

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Simca 1000 Coupé (1962) - short wheelbase, narrow front overhang

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Summary

A good sixty years ago, the French car manufacturer Simca claimed the title "Car for Europe" for its latest model, the '1000'. A considerable number of vehicles were sold in most countries, but in Germany of all places, the sales apparatus stuttered. The angular compact car provided some good arguments, especially in view of its moderate base price of DM 4995. However, a few peculiarities took some getting used to... This article reproduces the original road test from 1962 and shows the mid-range car in historical photos.

This article contains the following chapters

Clear FIAT kinship
First impressions
You feel "isolated"
Plenty of space despite rear engine
Excellent engine performance
Comfort and visibility
Shape and finish
How it drives

Estimated reading time: 12min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Cars in the "small middle class" are becoming increasingly popular on the markets of Western European countries. When Simca presented its new "1000" model, it was described in advertising as a "car for Europe". A rather general platitude, as it applies just as much to the BMW LS, the DKW-Junior, the Renault Dauphine or the VW, with which the Simca is likely to compete. For us in Germany, the Wolfsburg car is still the benchmark that we have to apply to the price, equipment and performance of every competitor in this price group - this may not be so clearly the case on foreign markets. The design similarities between the Simca 1000 and the FIAT 600-d are unmistakable. It can be seen in the design of the chassis as well as in the engine and transmission details. However, the Simca's 944 cc four-cylinder engine is firstly mounted at an angle and secondly its crankshaft runs in five main bearings. This indicates, on the one hand, that the intention was to keep the shaft as free as possible from bending vibrations and, on the other hand, that an increase in displacement may be expected in the future. It will not be possible to determine exactly how close Simca's actual ties with FIAT are - the Simca 1000 demonstrates quite clearly that they are very close in technical terms.

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