Simca 8: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox automobile

| image = Simca 8 2013-07-21 13-47-30 cropped to remove distracting Neighbo(u)r.JPG

| caption = 1949 Simca 8/1200 4-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]]

| name = Simca 8

| stablemates =

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| layout = [[FR layout]]

| body_style = 2-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]]<br>4-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]]<br>2-door [[coupé]]<br>2-door [[cabriolet (automobile)|cabriolet]]<br>3-door [[station wagon|estate]] (from 1948)

| engine = [[I4 engine|I4]] 1090 cc till 1949<br>[[I4 engine|I4]] 1221 cc from 1949{{ubl

| 1,089&nbsp;cc [[Straight-four engine|I4]]

| 1,221&nbsp;cc I4

}}

| transmission = 4-speed manual<br>synchromesh on top 2 ratios

| wheelbase = {{convert|2420|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=Automobilia1948>{{cite journal| title =Automobilia| journal = Toutes les voitures françaises 1948 (Salon Paris oct 1947)| volume = Nr. 7| pages = 74|year = 1998|publisher=Histoire & collections|___location=Paris }}</ref>

| length = {{convert|4000|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|1480|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

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| designer =

}}

[[File:Simca 8 001.jpg|275px|thumb|right|Simca 8 [[coupé]] deux places (2 seat [[coupé]])]]

The '''Simca 8''' is a [[small family car]] built by [[Simca]] and sold in [[France]] between November 1937<ref name=Automobilia1938>{{cite journal| title =Automobilia| journal = Toutes les voitures françaises 1938 (Salon 1937)| volume = Nr. 6| pages = 86|year = 1998|publisher=Histoire & collections|___location=Paris }}</ref> and 1951 (including wartime), available as a [[sedan (car)|saloon]], [[coupé]] or [[cabriolet (automobile)|cabriolet]]. It was a rebadged [[Fiat 508C]] "nuova Balilla" made at [[Fiat|Fiat's]] [[Simca]] plant in [[Nanterre]], [[France]].

==High profile launch breaking records ==

The Simca 8 was first presented, at the [[Paris Motor Show]] in October 1937, and sales in France started almost immediately in November.<ref name=Automobilia1938/> Early the next summer [[Henri Pigozzi]], [[Simca]]'s energetic boss, organised a three part endurance run under the supervision of the [[French Automobile Club|ACF]]. A single Simca 8 undertook a "non-stop" 50,000 kilometer (31,075 miles) run split as follows:<ref name=Automobilia1938/>

* 10,000 kilometers (6,215 miles) lapping the [[Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry|Montlhéry circuit]] averaging 115.1&nbsp;km/h (72&nbsp;mph) and returning 7.9 lL/100&nbsp;km

* 20,000 kilometers (12,430 miles) on open roads averaging 65&nbsp;km/h (40&nbsp;mph) and consuming 6.0 lL/100&nbsp;km

* 20,000 kilometers (12,430 miles) in Paris averaging (impressively) 54&nbsp;km/h (34&nbsp;mph) and consuming 6.5 lL/100&nbsp;km

The initial 10,000&nbsp;km round the race-circuit south of [[Paris]] involved breaking no fewer than 8 international records, although the manufacturer's advertisement including this information does not spell out what these records were.<ref name=Automobilia1938/> The purpose of the exercise was, of course, to gain positive publicity for the Simca 8, and as soon as the 50,000 kilometers had been completed, on 12 May 1938, a press dinner was organised at which the journalists were able to dine with the drivers, the [[French Automobile Club|ACF]] monitors, and the Simca directors as well as representatives from [[Shell Oil Company|Shell]] and [[Dunlop Rubber|Dunlop]], whose products had presumably played a key role in the exercise.<ref name=Automobilia1938/>

The printed summary of the event, used to advertise to the wider public, concluded with an invitation that the reader "achetez la ''même'' voiture" (buy the ''same'' car).<ref name=Automobilia1938/>

==The engine==

The '8' in the car's name did not indicate an eight-cylinder engine; it had but four cylinders, and was officially rated as a 6CV vehicle for [[Tax horsepower|tax purposes]].<ref name=Automobilia1938/> The eight most likely signifies 1938, the car's first model year.<ref name=GazHuit>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.gazoline.net/essais/simca-8-1100-cabriolet-grand-luxe/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240719141643/https://www.gazoline.net/essais/simca-8-1100-cabriolet-grand-luxe/ | archive-date = 2024-07-19 | magazine = Gazoline | title = Simca 8 1100 Cabriolet Grand Luxe | date = 2017-06-08 | first = Hugues | last = Chaussin | language = fr | issue = 245 | publisher = Editions Larivière }}</ref> At launch the car featured a 1,089 cc engine with a claimed output of {{cvt|32&nbsp;hp|PS|kW|0}} at 4,000 rpm.<ref name=Automobilia1938/> Fuel feed came via a [[Solex Carburetor|Solex]] 30mm30&nbsp;mm carburetor and overhead valves driven, using rods and rocker arms, by a side-mounted camshaft.<ref name=Automobilia1938/> An unusual feature at the time was the use of [[aluminium]] for the cylinder head.<ref name=Automobilia1938/>

ShortlyIn beforeSeptember it1949, not long before wasbeing replaced in 1951, the Simca 8 had acquired, in September 1949, the [[Fiat]] designed, 1,221 cc engine which would also be employed for its successor, the popular 7CV [[Simca Aronde|Simca 9 Aronde]]. Sold as the Simca 8/1200, this model develops {{cvt|41|PS|kW|0}} and received a redesigned front end.

==The body==

At launch only two bodies were offered, these being a 4-door "[[Sedan (automobile)|berline]]" (saloon/sedan) and a 2-door [[cabriolet (automobile)|cabriolet]].<ref name=Automobilia1938/> This contrasted with the Simca's [[Fiat 1100 (1937)|Italian cousin]] for which a wider range of bodies was available from the start and it also marked a departure from the strategy followed by Simca themselves with the predecessor model, the [[Fiat 508#France|Simca-Fiat 6CV]] which had been offered with almost as wide a range of body variants as its Turin built relative.<ref name=Automobilia1938/> The 4-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]] body was unusual in that there was no [[pillar (car)|central pillar]] between the front doors, hinged at the front, and the rear doors, [[suicide door|hinged at the back]], permitting particularly easy access when a front and rear door were opened simultaneously.<ref name=Automobilia1938/> In 1937 the Simca 8 4-door Berline was priced at 23,900 Francs for a "Normale" version and at 25,900 Francs for a "Grande Luxe".<ref name=Automobilia1938/> The [[Peugeot 202]] made its debut only six months later, in Spring 1938, and was priced at 21,300 Francs for a "Normale" version and at 22,500 Francs for a "Luxe".<ref name=Automobilia1938Peu>{{cite journal| title =Automobilia| journal = Toutes les voitures françaises 1938 (Salon 1937)| volume = Nr. 6| pages = 62|year = 1998|publisher=Histoire & collections|___location=Paris }}</ref> The cars were similar in size and power, but sales data suggest that the market found space for both of them, despite the [[Simca]]'s higher price.

[[File:Rétromobile 2015 - Simca 8 1200 Cabriolet - 1950 - 002.jpg|thumb|Simca 8 1200 Cabriolet of 1950]]

At launch only two bodies were offered, these being a 4-door "[[Sedan (automobile)|berline]]" (saloon/sedan) and a 2-door [[cabriolet (automobile)|cabriolet]].<ref name=Automobilia1938/> This contrasted with the Simca's [[Fiat 1100 (1937)|Italian cousin]] for which a wider range of bodies was available from the start and it also marked a departure from the strategy followed by Simca themselves with the predecessor model, the [[Fiat 508#France|Simca-Fiat 6CV]] which had been offered with almost as wide a range of body variants as its Turin built relative.<ref name=Automobilia1938/> The 4-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]] body was unusual in that there was no [[pillar (car)|central pillar]] between the front doors, hinged at the front, and the rear doors, [[suicide door|hinged at the back]], permitting particularly easy access when a front and rear door were opened simultaneously.<ref name=Automobilia1938/> In 1937 the Simca 8 4-door Berline was priced at 23,900 Francs for a "Normale" version and at 25,900 Francs for a "Grande Luxe".<ref name=Automobilia1938/> The [[Peugeot 202]] made its debut only six months later, in Spring 1938, and was priced at 21,300 Francs for a "Normale" version and at 22,500 Francs for a "Luxe".<ref name=Automobilia1938Peu>{{cite journal| title =Automobilia| journal = Toutes les voitures françaises 1938 (Salon 1937)| volume = Nr. 6| pages = 62|year = 1998|publisher=Histoire & collections|___location=Paris }}</ref> The cars were similar in size and power, but sales data suggest that the market found space for both of them, despite the [[Simca]]'s higher price.

The post war range became wider, with [[coupé]], [[cabriolet (automobile)|cabriolet]] and after 1948 [[station wagon|estate]] versions listed, but these were all substantially more expensive than the [[Sedan (automobile)|berline]]: virtually all the cars sold were still Simca 8 Berlines, which early in 1947 were priced at 330,000 francs against 420,000 francs for the [[cabriolet (automobile)|cabriolet]].<ref name=Automobilia1948/> (The[[Peugeot]]'s slightly longerlarger but slightlyalso slower competitor from [[Peugeot]], the [[Peugeot 202|202]], was priced at 303,600 francs, which includedincluding a [[sunroof]] at no extra cost.<ref name=Automobilia1948/>)

OverIn the1949, coursealong ofwith athe fewengine yearsupgrade, the Simca 8 underwent some [[grilleGrille (motor vehicle)|grille]] changesrevisions, and other minor upgrades.

<gallery widths="200" heights="155">

[[File:Simca 8 001.jpg|275px|thumb|right|Simca 8 [[coupé]] deux places (2 -seat [[coupé]])]]

[[File:Rétromobile 2015 - Simca 8 1200 Cabriolet - 1950 - 002.jpg|thumb|1950 Simca 8 /1200 Cabriolet of 1950]]

[[File:Simca8 1200 cropped.jpg|275px|thumb|right|Simca 8/1200 4-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]]]]

[[File:1952 Simca 8 1200 (14239996577).jpg|275px|thumb|right|Late Simca 8/1200 [[sedan (car)|saloon (rear view)]]]]

</gallery>

==Market reaction==

The Simca 8 won plaudits for its lively temperament and excellent fuel economy.<ref name=Automobilia1948/><ref name=Automobilia1938/> The four ratios on the new gear box were chosen so that even when cruising at 110&nbsp;km/h (68&nbsp;mph) fuel consumption remained reasonable, and set to permit good progress along country roads and reasonable acceleration even in hilly areas.<ref name=Automobilia1938/> The car also came with unusually precise steering and efficient hydraulically controlled brakes that did not overheat.<ref name=Automobilia1938/>

[[File:Simca8 1200 cropped.jpg|275px|thumb|right|Simca 8 4-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]]]]

[[File:1952 Simca 8 1200 (14239996577).jpg|275px|thumb|right|Simca 8 [[sedan (car)|saloon (rear view)]]]]

The Simca 8 won plaudits for its lively temperament and excellent fuel economy.<ref name=Automobilia1948/><ref name=Automobilia1938/> The four ratios on the new gear box were chosen so that even when cruising at 110&nbsp;km/h (68&nbsp;mph) fuel consumption remained reasonable, and set to permit good progress along country roads and reasonable acceleration even in hilly areas.<ref name=Automobilia1938/> The car also came with unusually precise steering and efficient hydraulically controlled brakes that did not overheat.<ref name=Automobilia1938/>

Commentators nevertheless noted that the engine was noisy when working hard, the (semaphore style) direction indicators were fragile, and the ambitiously sophisticated front suspension also proved fragile when confronted with [[France]]'s rural roads, many of which were still unpaved.<ref name=Automobilia1938/> The gear box could be disagreeable when changing down across the gate from third speed to second, and the car was only just large enough for four people, with only a small storage area for luggage, located in a hard to get at position behind the back seat and without any external access.<ref name=Automobilia1938/>

==Commercial==

For most of the time the Simca 8's principal competitors were the "bargain basement" [[Renault Juvaquatre]] and the [[Peugeot 202]]. After the war, with the Juvaquatre range restricted to an [[station wagon|estate]] version, and [[Peugeot]] moving half a market segment up at the end of 1948 replacing the [[Peugeot 202]] with the larger [[Peugeot 203|203]], sales of the Simca 8 held up impressively even though the Simcacar was itself by now clearly nearing the end of its production run. In 1948 the Simca 8 was Simca's top seller, with approximately 14,000 sold,; almost all of them were [[sedan (car)|saloon]]s.<ref name=Automobilia1948/> Two years later, in its penultimate year, the car was being produced at an even higher rate.

The principal complication arose from the fact that the car was in most respects a badge engineered [[Fiat]], which compromised its export potential, which was a particular issue after the [[Second World War|war]], when government (and the state of the [[France|French]] economy) were demanding heroic export effort from [[France]]'s leading auto-makers.<ref name=Automobilia1948/>

The [[France|French]] car market in the early 1950s was concentrated, with [[Renault 4CV|just]] [[Peugeot 203|three]] [[Citroën Traction Avant|models]] between them accounting for two thirds of domestic sales in 1950. Nevertheless, as the fourth best selling car of 1950 the Simca 8 with unit sales of 17,705 in that year achieved a respectable 10.2% market share.<ref>{{cite book|title=Toutes les voitures françaises de 1950: Hors Série n°16 de la revue Automobilia|publisher=Histoire & collections|author=René Bellu|language=fr|date=July 2000}}</ref> In total, 112,363 examples were built over its 14-year production run, straddling the World War.

==Sources and further reading==

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==External links==

* [http://www.simca8.nl Website for Simca 8 enthusiasts who understand Dutch]

{{Simca timeline}}

[[Category:Simca vehicles|8]]

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[[Category:Convertibles]]

[[Category:Station wagons]]

[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1951]]