Simca Books - History and Models

Aronde - Le printemps de Simca (Top Model)

How can one forget the Aronde, an iconic success for Simca and a milestone in French automotive history? For decades, this car traveled the world in many bright and original versions. Models such as Etoile, Elysée, Grand Large, Océane, and Châtelaine remain memorable.

Launched on 21 March 1951, the Aronde quickly became successful, placing Simca among the leading private car makers in France. Production ended in 1964. Over time, it became the brand's most representative model.

From the first prototype to the last, from standard sedans to high-end coachbuilt versions, including utility and export variants, this book presents the Aronde's long career in an original way. Rare and often unpublished documents, from advertising records to rallies, from daily use to spectacular stunts, are highlighted.

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L'aventure Simca - avec Henri T. Pigozzi,

Henri Théodore Pigozzi was born in Turin, Northern Italy, on June 26, 1898. His career ended abruptly on November 18, 1964, the day he died of a heart attack at the age of 66. This Piedmontese reigned over the industrial production of Simca automobiles for thirty years rich in lessons, both technical and human, both economic and social.

Starting from almost nothing, this ambitious visionary was able to rely on solid and lasting partnerships. The Simca brand was created with the support of the Italian automobile manufacturer Fiat in 1934, then Pigozzi strengthened his activity with the acquisition, in 1954, of the Ford SAF company (Société Anonyme Française) located in Poissy; which notably allowed him to create the Grand Poissy factories. An industrial tool still in operation since it still produces Peugeots in this city today.

An admirer of Henry Ford and the models of the same name, Henri Théodore Pigozzi, already steeped in American culture, was able to give free rein to his creativity and introduce assembly line manufacturing, drawing inspiration from "Fordism", which came from "Taylorism", and create a French industrial empire.

We can say of this Italian that he became and was a true "captain of industry" ahead of his time. His determination, his discernment, his formidable energy, his ability to adapt to follow the evolution of the automobile market and understand the needs of consumers allowed him to successfully develop his activities in France after the Second World War. But also in Europe with the beginnings of the Common Market, a real opportunity, as well as on the American and South American continents.

This book traces the history of Simca through its different models produced between 1934 and 1967 and the industrial adventure of the brand with the swallow.

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Simca, l'aventure de l'hirondelle

Created in 1934, Simca quickly became the second largest French car manufacturer in the 1950s, thanks to the relevant choices of its iconic president, Henri-Théodore Pigozzi.
The brand acquired an international dimension thanks to its popular Aronde, luxurious Vedette and essential 1000 and 1100. It even won two prestigious titles of European Car of the Year, in 1976, with the 1307/1308 and in 1979, with the Horizon.

In this new edition, the author retraces, year after year until 1987, the history of the manufacturer and that of its successor Talbot.

The author traces the economic activity of the company and the evolution of the different models with the production and registration figures.
Several pages are also devoted to the manufacturer's activities in Brazil, Spain and Great Britain.

With more than eight hundred iconographies, most of which are rare or unpublished, immerse yourself in the exciting and eventful destiny of the manufacturer with the swallow, which has made entire generations of French and Europeans travel for more than fifty years! The book is constructed chronologically from the 1930s to the 1990s.

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Les plus belles Simca, des années 1960 à 1980 (Autofocus)

In this book dedicated to the most beautiful Simcas from the 60s to the 80s, a generic name that includes Ford (a brand acquired in 1954), Matra, with which it had partnered in 1969, Chrysler as well, without forgetting Talbot, the most beautiful models are gathered here and dissected through 300 unpublished photos.

The Présidence, the Montlhéry Spéciale, the 1200 S coupé, the Simca 1301 Spécial, the Simca Rallye 3, the Simca 1100 TI, the 1308 GT, the Talbot Horizon, the Matra Bagheera, the Talbot Tagora SX symbolize the most emblematic Simcas of two decades brought together for the happiness of lovers of the brand.

Summary:

I: Simca Aronde Montlhéry, 1962
II: Simca Coupé 1200 S, 1968
III: Simca 1000 Spéciale, 1969
IV: Simca 1501 Spéciale, 1970
V: Simca Rallye 2 and 3, 1973/1978
VI: Simca 1100 Ti, 1974
VII: Simca Matra Bagheera, 1974
VIII: Simca 1308 S, 1979
IX: Simca Horizon S, 1979
X: Talbot Simca Tagora, 1980.

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Toutes les Simca 1934-1980

The French subsidiary of the Italian manufacturer Fiat, the Simca company was founded at the end of 1934 by Henri-Théodore Pigozzi. This initiative allowed the Turin giant to assemble and market its automobiles in France, without being penalized by customs taxes.
Initially, Simca remained very close to Fiat by manufacturing some of its models under license. But quickly, the company headed by H.T. Pigozzi would become a major manufacturer thanks to the success of the Simca Cinq and Huit which had managed to have their own identity.
Discreet during the war, H.T. Pigozzi managed to regain control of his company once peace had returned while rejecting the project of engineer Grégoire supported by the French state: a tour de force!

Simca then relaunched production of its pre-war models, before gaining a certain autonomy thanks to the launch of the Aronde in the spring of 1951. The acquisition of Ford-France and its Poissy factory would allow the swallow-shaped company to become the second largest French manufacturer (behind Renault) at the end of the 1950s.

In the 1960s, the Americans from Chrysler would replace the Italians from Fiat and take control of Poissy. Pigozzi was then pushed aside and a new era began. However, Chrysler's serious financial problems will plunge Simca into crisis. Poissy is however the only subsidiary of the American giant to be profitable! But the Simca firm will end up being sold to Peugeot before being rebadged "Talbot"...

This book tells the story of the brand and presents the evolution of the Simca range in chronological order. Technical characteristics, known prices and production figures are also mentioned. Many period photos also illustrate this book to immerse you in the Simca universe...

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Simca en compétition (1969-1974)

Enter the heart of the Chrysler France team with Henri Chemin, its charismatic and tireless boss. Discover how Simca, the now-defunct flagship of the French automobile industry, took center stage in motor racing between 1969 and 1974 under the leadership of two Ford France defectors.
How this manufacturer of family sedans created in five months a revolutionary rally car, the mid-engined Simca CG, capable of competing with and beating the best cars of the time. How Bernard Fiorentino, the factory driver, became a formidable and feared Alpine Renault hunter while shining at the Monte-Carlo with the Simca 1100 S of Mr. Everyman.

This book is a retrospective on the hegemony of the monstrous Barracuda and Hemicuda of the Chrysler group, which reigned supreme in Group 1 on circuits and hill climbs for five thrilling seasons.
We learn how hundreds of young novice drivers, through original promotional operations called "Challenge Simca", "Simca Racing Team" or "Coupe Simca Sport 2 litres", achieved feats at the wheel of Simca 1000 or sports prototype barquettes and, for some, engraved their name in the Pantheon of motor racing.

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Simca: Die schönsten Modelle von 1960 bis 1980

One of the most popular import brands in Germany around 1970 was Simca. The brand combined Italian temperament and the French sense of practicality - thus the model also convinced individualists in Germany who wanted to stand out from the crowd at reasonable prices and appreciated a sporty exhaust sound.

Today the brand no longer exists - and yet the old models still exude lively charm. This illustrated book conveys this enthusiasm and provides a nostalgic reading experience with plenty of period color.

German edition of the ETAI book "Les plus belles Simca, des années 1960 à 1980".

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Motori Abarth Simca Bialbero 1000, 1300, 1450 cc

This volume, like the four that preceded it, tells the true story of a 4-cylinder Bialbero born from the will of a man, Eng. Hruska, who deeply believed in the technical abilities of his friend Carlo Abarth and in the men that the latter had chosen as collaborators.
Born among many difficulties, this adventure, even if short-lived, magnified itself with many successes and victories throughout Europe: 9 first places in 1962, the year of its debut.

The birth and evolution of the 1300 cc and its derivatives: 1000, 1150 and 1450 cc are reported in the simplest way with diagrams, tables, materials, adjustments and the relative results of the bench and road tests.

Text in Italian.

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