The Simca 1000 was an immediate success when it
was launched at the
1961 Paris Salon, winning a huge
allegiance of fans and enjoying a wonderfully long
production run of 16 years, in which time some 1.6
million would be made.
Weighing in at a sprightly 730kg, the rear-engined 1000 used a 944cc, it being
based on the ever reliable Simca 5 bearing 1290cc unit. Good for 45bhp at 5000rpm,
the little 1000 could reach a respectable top speed of 75mph.
Featuring independent
front and rear suspension, the 1000 had 9 inch hydraulic drum brakes all round
and a 12 volt electrical system.
Strangely, and in a departure from tradition,
the engine revolved counter-clockwise, the engineers deeming it to provide more
torque and improve balance at speed. The integral 4 speed transmission/rear axle
assembly is compact and fully synchronized.
Despite the car filling the cheap and cheerful market segment, it boasted many
refinements and innovations not normally fitted as standard equipment at that
time. Its four doors opened at right angles, the luggage boot locked from inside
the car, the ventilation system allowed both air flow and temperature to be regulated.
The separate front seats featured contoured triple-padded backs and a no-sag
frame, each affording seven adjustment positions able to be changed while the
car was moving.
Even the sound insulation was effective, and in a wonderful touch
demonstrating the attention to detail, both sun visors were color matched to
either of two ceiling tones.