Description
The Simca 1000 Coupè is a very special car, rare in that just over 10, 000 were produced between 1962 and 1967, and now virtually impossible to find, with around 300 cars still in existence worldwide. Its bodywork was designed by a very young Giorgetto Giugiaro (the Simca coupé was in fact one of his first works), at the time employed at the Bertone bodyworks in Turin and at the Bertone factories in Grugliasco (on the outskirts of Turin). The raw bodywork was produced on the mechanical basis of the small French saloon; the bodies were then transported by rail to the Simca factory in Poissy where they were painted, dressed and fitted with mechanical parts. The little "made-to-measure" Simca made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1962 (a few months after the 1000 saloon, presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1961): the sports version was based on the platform and powertrain of the "four-door", so the engine was the same type 315 "Poissy" with 40 hp DIN mounted on the rear overhang (a small 944 cc engine but rather refined in terms of structure : five main bearings, super-square bore/ stroke ratio, counter-clockwise rotation (it was designed by Georges Martin, author of the legendary Matra V12, used in Formula 1 and three times winner at Le Mans), same wheelbase, but braking system like a real sports car with four disc brakes instead of batteries as on the derivative version. A technical layout that turned the 1000 Coupé into a small Porsche. The example for sale is one of the last produced and is all the more special and rare in that it is a model specifically intended for the Italian market: in addition to the side repeaters on the front wings for the direction indicators, this car has a rather different look inside with the dashboard covered in faux wood, the Five Stars sports steering wheel with wooden rim, the Veglia Borletti instruments with Italian writing, and the more comfortable rear seat because it is fully upholstered. As the original registration document shows, this 1000 Coupè was registered in the province of Treviso on 17 August 1966; Colour 'Velasquez Green', beige vinyl interior, chassis SB161764. Remained in the Treviso region until a few months ago, this little sports car is now in very good condition with only 91, 600 km actually driven by just two owners. The car is absolutely sound, corrosion free, complete and original and received a light restoration in the early 1990s when it was repainted in the original colour; this was a job well done but the varnish now shows some imperfections and signs of age; the original chrome bumpers show rust spots on the surface after almost sixty years. The interior is in very good condition with seats and side panels as new. Mechanically the car is an excellent performer: the engine runs smoothly, does not overheat, does not smoke and was fitted at the time of purchase with a Reca twin outlet sports silencer, similar to the Abarth exhausts of the time. I also recently replaced the fuel pump and the hydraulic clutch control assembly. The braking system has also been completely renewed with new master cylinders and callipers. The tyres are not worn but are old and will have to be replaced. On the road, this little sports car is really very good. It should also be pointed out that this 1994 Simca 1000 Coupè, just after the light restoration, has been homologated by the ASI (like the Italian FIVA) with a silver plate confirming the originality, rarity and good preservation conditions of the car. The car was sold with four new wheel studs, new wiper blades and new rubber mats inside. The car is currently deregistered and unregistered, but all the documentation required for re-registration as a historic vehicle or for export is available, including the original registration document and the ASI homologation certificate. This Simca 1000 Coupè Bertone is located in Giaveno (postcode 10094), 30 km from Turin, where it can be viewed and collected after the sale. I can also arrange for the car to be delivered anywhere in the world (in Europe it is possible to deliver by several carriers at a lower cost). More photos and videos available on request.
