The Simca 1100 was built from 1967 to 1982. It was the first front wheel drive car manufactured by Simca.
The design of the car was very advanced, featuring a hatchback with folding rear seats, disc brakes, independent front and rear suspension by torsion bars and rack and pinion steering. The body was welded to the frame rather than bolted.
Simca 1100 LS©flickr/FaceMePLS
The cars were equipped with Simca Type 315 overhead valve engines with 944 (45 PS / 33 kW), 1118 (50/52/60 PS / 37/38/44 kW), and 1294 (62/75 PS / 46/55 kW) cc, depending on year and market. A stroked 1118 cc engine displacing 1.2 litres was introduced to the UK market in 1971 and in limited quantities also sold in the USA.
The Simca 1100 had a four speed manual gearbox and there was also a three speed semi-automatic gearbox available which required manual shifting but had an electronically activated clutch.
The Simca 1100 had room for 5 people and three and five door hatchbacks, three door estate car and a van were offered.
In France the Simca 1100 was very successful but didn’t sell to well in non-European export markets.
The Simca was introduced to the American market in 1969 as Simca 1204 and was available as LS or GLS trim, hatchback, or estate for less than $2,000. Air conditioning and the three speed automatic gearbox were optional. It was not a success and Simca withdrew from the American market in 1972.
