Fascinating French Classic Cars: The Simca Vedette Series

The name « Vedette » groups a number of famous Simca cars from 1954 to 1961 using the same large body (restyled in 1958) and V8 engine, with different levels of trim and finishings.

When Henri-Théodore Pigozzi decided to buy the subsidiary of Ford France in 1954, Simca not only acquired a large modern factory at Poissy but also a complete range of modern cars just designed at Dearborn, Detroit, Michigan .

Simca Régence, 1957.

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The engine is a 2,351 cc sidevalve V8 unit, from the good old Ford Flathead engine family, producing 80 hp (60 kW). Power is on the rear live axle, gear box is manual and presents a column shift. The Vedette has, for the first time in France, an independent front suspension with Mc Pherson struts. It has drum brakes on the four wheels.

Simca Chambord, 1958.

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The presentation of the car is fabulous, it offers generous space, excellent visibility and is somewhat a taste of America in France. The first versions appear in 1954 with the Ford badge at the beginning, these are the Versailles, Trianon and Régence corresponding to basic, middle and upper range. In 1958, the body is modified with a wrap-round windscreen, with larger tail fins, a beautiful two tone painting and superb chrome decoration.

Simca Beaulieu, 1958.

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The whole breathes quality. The engine is now a 84 hp. New names are given to these models which become Beaulieu and Chambord. The entry model is the Ariane with the old body of the Versailles and the 1300 cc engine of the Aronde. A V8 Ariane is launched in 57. An extremely luxurious and expensive Simca Présidence was also offered with exclusive equipment such as a glass separation from the chauffeur and the distinctive continental kit. Convertibles were built from the Présidence for Gen. de Gaulle.

Simca Beaulieu, 1958.

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An elegant station wagon was built and called Marly

A very rare Chambord convertible was created by Karmann as well as a few Ariane convertibles designed by Simca. The Production of the Chambord ended in France in 1961 and in 1963 for the Ariane. Until 1969, Simca do Brasil continued to produce the Chambord, the Alvorada, the Profissional (simplified versions of the Chambord), the Rallye, the Présidence and the excellent station wagon Jangada based on the Marly with restyled tail fins (which the French Marly did not receive in 1958) and high level of equiment.

Simca Ariane Miramas, 1959

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The beautiful colors and intelligent modifications on the engines and finishings are a real success for the Brazilian versions of the Simca models. The Rock group from Brazil, Camissa de Venus, even wrote a song called « Simca Chambord ».

Simca Ariane Miramas, rear, 1959.

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Simca Chambord 1958, hub caps are those of the 1961 version.

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