1977, Cars: Matra-Simca Rancho

In 1977 Matra in co-operation with Simca (Chrysler France / Europe) introduced the Matra-Simca Rancho. The car had an "off-road look", a trend started by the Range Rover, but it was in fact front wheel driven. Based on the Fourgonnette version of the Simca 1100 ( VF2), the Rancho was designed by Antonis Volanis. It used The Simca 1100 front structure with a stretched chassis and a body in fibreglass and polyester. The Rancho was powered by the 1442 cc Simca Poissy L4 engine.

After Chrysler sold its European arm to PSA (Citroën / Peugeot) in 1978, the Matra-Simca Rancho was rebranded as Talbot-Matra Rancho in 1979. Production continued until 1984, reaching 57792 cars in total.

Matra Simca Rancho

Matra Simca Rancho

Talbot Matra Rancho Découvrable

Talbot Matra Rancho

The Rancho was offered in several versions:

• "Base" 1977 - 1984
• "X" 1980 – 1984
• "AS" 1980 - 1984
• "Grand Raid" 1980 – 1981 (with an electric winch on the front bumper and an extra spare wheel mounted on the roof )
• "Découvrable" 1981 (cabriolet version, very rare only around 200 made)
• "Davos" (only in Germany)

Brochures

Talbot Matra Rancho 1983 Netherlands

Matra-Simca Rancho Promo (1977)

1970, Cars: Chrysler 160 / 160 GT / 180

Chrysler Europe introduced the Chrysler 160, Chrysler 160GT and Chrysler 180 at the “Salon International d'Automobile” in October 1970. They were promoted with the slogan “An American from Paris”. The British launch took place in 1971, with only the 180 on offer. The new car was the result of the joining development efforts of the Rootes Group (UK) and Simca (France). Production started in the Simca factory in Poissy, France, and from 1975 on in Chrysler's subsidiary Barreiros' factory in Spain. A variant of the Chrysler 180 was produced in Australia from 1975 to 1978 by Chrysler Australia as the Chrysler Centura.

Predecessor: Simca 1301 (1501)

In France the car replaced the Simca 1301 / 1501 and in the UK it replaced the Humber Hawk. The 160 employed a 1632 cc unit, while the 160 GT and the 180 had the 1812 cc one. 

Chrysler 160 (1970)

Chrysler 160 GT (1970)

Chrysler 180 (1971)

In 1972 the Chrysler 2Litre was introduced at the Amsterdam Auto Show, in Brussels in January 1973 and in Britain in April 1973. This luxurious version was only available with Chrysler’s American automatic transmission and had a full length vinyl roof and spot lights as standard equipment. 

Talbot Simca 2Litre (1979)

In 1977, by then built in Spain, the names were changed to Chrysler-Simca 1609 (the former 160) Chrysler-Simca 1610 (the former 180) and the Chrysler-Simca 2Litre with a Simca badge appearing on the boot lid. 

Chrysler Centure (Australia)

Talbot Tagora

After the takeover of Chrysler Europe by PSA Peugeot Citroën, models were once again renamed as Talbot 1610/2 litres for 1979 and 1980 model years, after which the model was replaced by the Talbot Tagora. The diesel version was sold in Spain until 1982. A total of 275 000 cars were produced.

Brochure Chrysler 180 1970 (UK) 

Brochure Chrysler Range 1971 (France)

Brochure Chrysler Range 1975 (The Netherlands)

Brochure Chrysler 2L 1978 (UK)

Brochure Chrysler Simca Range 1978 (Norway)

Brochure Talbot Simca 2L 1979 (The Netherlands)

1967, Cars: Simca 1100

The Simca 1100 was first shown at the Paris Auto Show held at Versailles from October 5 until October 15 1967. The 1100 was advanced in design, featuring a hatchback with folding rear seats, disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, an independent front and rear suspension. I was the first Simca to wear the Chrysler Pentastar, replacing the Simca Swallow.

The range started with the 1100 LS, available as a hatchback and as an estate car. It was recognisable as the entry level model by its bumpers which had no over riders and by a lack of brightwork round the windows. Next up was the 1100 GL which had rubber faced over riders on the bumper and extra chrome trim. Top of the range was the 1100 GLS, with chrome strips round the wheel arches and full size chrome wheel trims.

Simca 1100 LS 1967

Simca 1100 GLS

The car was fitted with Simca Type 315 petrol OHV engines with 944, 1118, and 1294 cc variants, depending on year and market. A 1118 cc engine was introduced in 1971 to the UK market as the Simca 1204, it was also sold in the USA in limited quantities.

Simca 1100 Spécial 1970

Simca 1100 Ti 1973

The 1100 was very popular, by 1969, 44% of the Simca's made at the Poissy plant in Paris were the 1100, 26% were the 1000, and 30% were the 1301/1501. The 1100 became the best-selling Simca of all time. From 1967 to 1985 a total of 2.2 million cars were produced. The Simca 1100 was also the basis for the Matra (Simca) Rancho.

Simca 1100 Swiss Ad (1967)

Simca 1100 Spanish Ad (1970)

 
Simca 1100 French Ad (1974)

Simca 1100 LS Brochure (1970, Dutch)

Simca 1100 Spécial Brochure (1970, French)

1976, Cars: Car of the Year: Simca 1307-1308

The Simca 1307-1308 won the Car of the year award in 1976 with 192 points. Second was the BMW 316-320 (E21) with 144 points and third the Renault 30 TS with 107 points.

The Simca 1307 was the second new car produced by Chrysler Europe, it was launched in July 1975. As a modern front-wheel drive hatchback, it was one of the first such cars in that class, along with the Volkswagen Passat. It had been in development since 1972. The model was sold under a variety of names: Simca 1307 (1.3 litre), 1308 (1.4 litre) and 1309 (1.6 litre) (France), Chrysler Alpine (Ireland, the UK and New Zealand), Chrysler 150 (Spain) and Dodge Alpine (Colombia).

Simca 1307-1308

Simca 1309

In 1978, Chrysler Europe was sold for a nominal US$1 to Peugeot, who took on the liability for the division's huge debts as well as its factories and product line, with the former Chrysler models in Britain and Simca models in France both using the resurrected Talbot marque. The model was renamed Talbot 1510 / Talbot Alpine / Talbot 150 and Talbot Solara (the saloon version).

Talbot 1510

Talbot Solara

Styled by Roy Axe, the Simca 1307, along with the recently introduced Volkswagen Passat, was one of several full-size European family hatchbacks inspired by the Renault 16 that had defined the sector back in 1965.

French manufacturing ended in 1985. In the United Kingdom the last cars were re-badged as the Rapier and Minx and in 1986 production ceased, with the Talbot marque being shelved soon afterwards on all passenger vehicles.

Second Place BMW 316-320 (E21)

Third Place Renault 30 TS

Chrysler Alpine pre launch presentation with slides


Simca 1307/1308 French Ad


Talbot 150 Spanish Ad (weird commercial because the car is a Chrysler)

Brochure Simca 1307/1308 (Dutch, 1979)