Founded in the 1930s by Henri-Theodore Pigozzi, Simca is often written SIMCA, an acronym for Societe Mechanique et de Carrosserie Automobile (organization of automotive and chassis engineering).

Simca gets its start building Fiats under license. Winning postwar competitions at the Spa 24-hour race, and at Alpine and Monte Carlo rallies, brings the company the publicity that Pigozzi needs to take the brand a step further.

The Simca Aronde of 1951 is a partial step toward a fully independent model, featuring all-new unibody construction but retaining the Fiat-derived engine of the Simca Huit.


Following a brief sojourn with Ford in 1954, Simca acquires Ford's French operations and builds the V8-powered Vedette. Soon, all Simca production has been moved to Ford's Poissy factory, as Citroen takes the company's old Nanterre facility.

By 1957, Sinca holds 14 world records for endurance, having run 62,137 consecutive miles at 70.02 mph. A stock Simca has hauled a 9-ton bus from a dead halt.


In 1958, Chrysler takes a 15% share in Simca, giving the French automaker the cash it needs to buy Talbot in 1959 and to, finally, begin dreaming up a competitor for the Citroen Ami and Volkswagen Beetle.

The new Simca arrived in 1962, badged 1000. A year later, it had become France's best-selling exported automobile.

1000 is as if a modern Beetle. So impressed is Chrysler with the little rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive car that, in 1963, in buys a majority 64% share in Simca.

Simca forms an alliance with Matra (Mecanique Aviation Traction) in 1969. Matra has been builting the Renault-powered Djet and M530 coupés. The availability of Simca engines takes Matra in a new direction, and the company begins work on a coupé that will look like nothing else: the Matra-Simca Bagheera of 1973.

Chrysler is intent to extend its reach in Europe. On July 1^st, 1970, Simca effectively ceases to exist as an independent company; Chrysler owns 99.4%, and all Simca cars are rebadged with Chrysler Europe's rectangular symbol. Simca stops selling cars in the U.S. in 1971.