By the early Sixties, Simca had risen to become the largest privately owned car manufacturer in France, comfortable in their niche for producing conventional front engine/rear-drive saloons, which they had been doing for many years.
Simca called upon the considerable talents of Felice Mario Boano founder of the Carrozzeria Boano design studio of Turin, Italy to carry out the design work on the 1000.
Henri Pigozzi handed Boano a clear two-part brief- that 1000 would have a timeless design to remain attractive for the next ten years.
Carrozzeria Boano was a man to be trusted, having designed some of the most iconic cars of the Fifties, among them the Lancia Aurelia B20 GT and even the ultimate accolade- a car bearing his name- the Ferrari Boano.
Simca launched the 1000 (or mille), as it was known in France, at the Paris Motor Show of 1961.
Reaction to Simca’s new compact was positive, with the only possible talking point coiled be that the 1000’s 944cc (58 cu in) engine was in the rear, possibly taken from Renault who were very much in favour of rear engined cars.
The Simca 1000 featured all-round drum brakes and worm-and-roller steering, so was lacking in much engineering innovation, but it was cheap to buy and run, an edge that the majority of French drivers were looking for at that time.
By 1965, significant changes had been made to the interior so it could compete with Renault's R8.
It wasn't until 1969 that long overdue brake, steering, and suspension changes were finally introduced, along with an exterior redesign.
By 1970, Simca had been swallowd up by Chrysler, although the Detroit giant, at least initially, made very few changes to the management structure and model range at their newly acquired French subsidiary.
Boano's design more than stood the test of time remaineing in production almost unchanged for close to twenty years till 1978.
Pigozzi’s vision of simplicity, low cost and timeless design added to Chrysler’s lack of interest and desire to finance the cost of developing a replacement all played their part in the 1000's longevity.
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