CarBrandLogos archive · Simca · 1975

SimcaSimca 1307

European Car of the Year 1976, and Chrysler Europe's last real success.

Photo: unknown, affiliated with Garage de l'Est, digitally modified and uploaded by Use · CC BY-SA 3.0

The story

A defining chapter in Simca history.

Explore the ideas, engineering and context that shaped the Simca 1307, then continue into its specifications and place in the marque's lineage.

Origins

Chrysler's European operation was a bolted-together thing, with Simca in France and Rootes in Britain rarely agreeing on anything. The 1307 was the exception that worked: a car developed jointly, launched in 1975, sold as the Simca 1307 and 1308 in France and the Chrysler Alpine in Britain, and built at both Poissy and Ryton.

Talbot 1510 Lahti · Gwafton · CC BY-SA 3.0

Design and engineering

The recipe was the 1100 scaled up. A transverse engine driving the front wheels, all-independent suspension, and a large five-door hatchback body drawn by Roy Axe that was roomier and more modern than the Cortinas and 504s it faced. Engines were the familiar Simca overhead-valve fours in 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 litre forms, with manual or automatic gearboxes.

1985 Talbot Solara Rapier 1.6 Front · Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0

In production

It was named European Car of the Year for 1976, and it sold well initially in both markets. What it could not survive was its owner: Chrysler sold its European business to Peugeot in 1978, the car became a Talbot, and Peugeot had little interest in developing a rival to its own products. Production dragged on to 1986, latterly as the Talbot 1510 and Solara, and the 405 eventually took its place.

1985 Talbot Solara Rapier 1.6 Rear · Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0

At a glance

The facts that define it.

Produced

1975–1986

Engine

Petrol engine

Designer

Roy Axe

Technical specification

The Simca 1307, in detail.

Production: 1975–1986
Class: Large family car (D)
Layout: FF layout
Engine: Petrol engine; petrol: ; 1294 cc Simca Type 315; Type 315 Overhead valve engine; ohv Straight-four engine; I4 ; 1442 cc Simca Type 315; Type 315 ohv I4 ; 1592 cc Simca Type 315; Type 315 ohv I4 ; Diesel en
Transmission: 4 speed manual all-synchromesh; 5-speed manual; Automatic
Designer: Roy Axe
Assembly: France: Stellantis Poissy Plant; Poissy ; United Kingdom: Ryton plant ; Spain: Madrid ; Colombia: Bogotá (GM Colmotores; Chrysler Colmotores) ; Finland: Uusikaupunki (Valmet Automotive) ; New Zealand: Porirua (Todd Corpo
Manufacturer: Chrysler Europe (1975–1979); PSA Peugeot Citroën (1979–1986)