L'lla-oade

The Magazine of Club UK Volume 34 No.6 November- December 2014 Sianc:a Mat .. a

Phi! Hart's 1000 Rallye 2 and Tony Owen's Tagora GL at the 2014 NEC Classic Show. Below Guy & Stuart Wade's ne SX. Photos fan R Hunt & Lancaster Insurance Classic Car Show 2014 at the NEC .•....

Moskvich Aleko A Russian copy of the Chryslerffalbot Alpine supplied by Sam Glover fromPractical Classics magazine. Guy Maylam adds more detail about our stand, the cars and the visitors at the NEC elsewhere in this issue.

Ed For the first time for many years I was unable to get to the show. Hopefully I'll be mobile again soon and be able to get to the events I once took for granted.

Photos from the 2014 NEC Show by Ian R.Hunt and Guy Maylam ...... Club Fo rum www.simcatalbotclub.proboards.com ...... or link from club website

Editorial.. November-December 2014 endurance racing carsfrom the early 70's superbly restored. I now feel more comfortable typing the The cold weather has forced me back into Editorial of a car club magazine .... Now DVLA have finally decided I'm fit to the garage so my restoration efforts have drive again. Must get to work getting moved back to the 12008 coupe. This some of my 11 cars back in working order will be the year it will return to the road along with the 1100 pickup .. ... !!!! This issue comes with the subscription Des Collins has supplied photos of some form for 2015 membership. We hope you '11join us again and please note the 'mint' condition cars from the range seen fees have been pegged to the 2014leveL. at this year's visit to Loheac. Please try to renew promptly as it eases I've also included various photos and admin considerably for Edward, our 'period' adverts sent in by members, Treasurer and my self. found on the web or in the 'archives'. The cover photos show our club stand at Among them, Clive Milner reports on his November's NEC Classic Car Show. Guy trusty Horizon which is still ably Maylam, who organises our stand there providing his daily transport. along with Stuart Wade fillsin the detail. Dates for Events for 2015 are coming Of the cars on our stand and the interest it together. I've included details I've got so created. far. Philippe Vanderbist sent me this shot of I was looking for Talbot content for this the cover of a Club SIMCA France issue when David Chapman came up with mag. I didn't realise it was 80 Years a detailed early 80's comparison of three since the first SIMCA-FIATS left the cars aimed at the lower levels of the Fleet production line ...... market, including the 1.3 version of the Talbot Solara. I think Colin Hill once pointed out that this model was in the showrooms to bring the customers in with its low price ready for the sales people to work on them to buy Solarasfurther up the range ..

Tom Singfieldemailed me some photos taken on a recent holiday in Cuba. He noticed a number of old SIMCA cars still very much in use and was interested in which models they were. I supplied the information and have included the photos in this issue.

PDF copies of L 'Aronde are sent to other SIMCA, MA TRA & Talbot clubs around the World. Francis Cruls from the Belgian club sent me some photos along with their latest magazine. The photos, from the 2008 Retromobile show, feature the spectacular V 12 powered MA TRA

Mick Ward teL 01246 200045 2 2014 Email scukmick@aoLcom NOUEM137<.E Mobile 07713111339 Simca Club UK..•...•..... Directory Reformed by Bob Friendship in 1980 as the SimcaAronde Owners Register, later the Simca Owners Register. Now also incorporating the Talbot (1979-1986) Owners' Register Website www.simcatalbotclub.org •

Committee and technical advisors ......

President and Aronde Advisor Dick Husband , Unit 5 Acton Business Centre, Pool Road, Nuneaton, CV10 9AE [email protected] tel 02476 325577

Vice President, Archivist, Vedette Advisor and Events Co-ordinator.Guy Maylam. 67 Longmeads, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 OAU Tel. 01892 538598 Email [email protected]

Membership Secretary .•....Daniel Husband, 5 Grange Road, Hartshill, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV10 OSS, Tel 07904341819 Email [email protected]

Secretary David Chapman 18 Cavendish Gardens, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 4AQ, Tel. 01737 76533 1 Email dn [email protected]

Treasurer and Advisor for 13/1501 Edward Martley, 8 Rye Close, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 1XG, Tel. 01295 255173 Email [email protected]

Auditor Philip Ewan, 8 Wycherley A venue, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, Ts5 5HH, Tel. 01642 818926 Email [email protected]

Magazine Editor &Competition/Modifications Advisor Mick Ward, 96 Newbold Back Lane, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 4HQ Tel. 01246 Email [email protected]

Associate Editors & Advisor for 1100/1204 & MATRA Bagheera (Kevin) Kevin & Lesley Ward, 11 Belfit Drive, Wingerworth, Chesterfield S42 6UP. 01246 278508 kev.ward l [email protected]

Advisor for MATRA cars other than Bagheera Clive Nelson, 4 Maplewood Close, Larchwood, Totton, Hants S040 8WH, Tel. 02380 867804 Email [email protected]

Advisor for 180 & 2 Litre & 1300/1500 Stuart Wade, Forge Stones, Heath Road, Boughton Monchelsea, Maidstone, ME17 4HS, Tel. 01622 746581 Email [email protected]

Advisor for Alpine/Solara & Horizon Colin Hill The Old Mill Cottage, Dallinghoo Road, Bredfield, Woodbridge, IP13 6BD Tel. 01473 737325 mobile 07510180574 [email protected]

Advisor for Samba David Chapman (as above Re.Secretary )

Advisor for 1000, Rallye & 1000/1200S coupes Phil Hart, 10 Rectory Way, Stilton, Peterborough, PE7 3XS Tel 01733 242242 Email [email protected]

Advisor for Tagora Co1in Hill (as above Re. Alpine/Solara & Horizon)

Advisor for Sunbeam & Lotus Marcus Maylam, 79 Culm Lea, Stoneyford, Cullompton, Devon EX15 1NJ, Tel. 07771 591366 ....Email [email protected]

Press Officer Mick Ward (as above re. Magazine Editor etc.)

MATRA Club magazine editor & contact Roy Gillard. Tel. 020 88611035 [email protected]

The views expressed in articles or letters in L 'Aronde are not necessarily the views of the committee ofSimca Club UK. No responsibility will be accepted for loss, damage or injury arising in the consequence of anyone acting on information contained in this publication.

Note Changes above for 2015 Services & parts suppliers etc .....

CB Moto .. s Large stocks of spres, new & secondhand for , and other older cars, MOT, servicing etc ...... Contact Dick Husband on ...... [email protected] Or tel. 02476 325577. Dick is based at Unit 5, Acton Business Centre, Pool road, Nuneaton, CVlO 9AE ...... Fully equipped MoT bays etc .....

For TALBOT ... . Exhaust systems I Windscreens I Gear change rods I Driveshafts I water pumps I Alternators I Starters I service items plus many bits you thought you couldn't get again, and free advice on those models COLIN HILL.. .. Horizon/Alpine/Solara Spares/servicing/recovery. 01473 737325 I 07510180574 TALBOT stickers also available from Colin ......

· s1 CACiubUK 'W'W'W. si:anc:atalbotc:lub.o.. g J SIMCA Club UK windscreen stickers available from Mick Ward at club meetings or ......

Mic:k .::::.:=::::::::::-.... 1100 & MA TRA projects, stuff or Wawd Tal.bols turns up. __ Try me for & suspension parts, ....,.,.,.,,,_ racks,

Also contact Kevin Ward for parts as in advert above. 01246 278508 or kev. ward [email protected]

I'm aware the previous 'Services' page needed updating. This is a temporary one. If you wish to be included please send in your ad. just a few lines or photos/logo, ad. as mine aboves or however you wish to advertise your parts, services etc ...... ED.

5 Forthcoming Events for 2015......

Dates for various events have still to be finalised but here are a few possibly of interest to members that are already fu:ed......

Trackaction online trackday Cadwell Park (Lincs.) Monday 23rd March.... A few of us are considering having a go there. Cad well was always my favourite track when I was racing regularly with its up & down, winding nature. Details on www.trackaction-online.com website. To celebrate being mobile again I'll be giving either the 'FIMCA' or my Honda twin cam 1000 some 'exercise' there.

Santa Pod RETRO SHOW 2015, Sunday 21st June 2015, If there's enough interest I'll book us a stand there again. We usually manage to fieldan excellent display there. Lots to see and full day's action on the dragstrip. Chance to try your car out on there or the autotest. More info Mick Ward

2015 Club SIMCA France National Meeting at Parthenay, 14 to 17th May. See info on Club SIMCA France's website. www.clubsimcafrance.fr

& MATRA-SIMCA weekend based at the 'Fat Lamb' Kirby Steven, August 1st d 2n •••••• The Fat Lamb, on the edge of the Lake District, has been run by a real car enthusiast, who runs Jags and big Healeys himself, for some 30 years. As mentioned at the AGM, Kev & Lesley Ward are organising this and special 'car club' weekend rates will be available The proprietor has various routes planned out for a 'convoy' tour and regularly leads club members on them in one of his own classics. More information to follow ......

SIMCA 1000 at Cadwell Park...... Sheer Fun.. . HH Practical Classics Restoration & Classic Car Show NEC th 28& 29 March 2015 ....SI MCA & MATRA club stands there ... !!! Ticket deals .. Club single £10.50 (quote code RS14EC .. Club Family £26.00 (quote code RS14CF) tel. 0844 858 6758 Or WWW.NECRESTORATIONSHOW.COM Clive Milner's Horizon ...... SIMCA 1200S coupe info

Clive's Horizon which hasjust topped 120,000 miles seen here at North Yorbhire's Tan Hill Inn, at I 732ft above sea level boast the title of the highest pub. He noted fun drives in the area as from Garsdale over the top to Dent station and down into Dent itself, also a back road from near Reeth which drops down (eventually) into the village of Bainbridge. SIMCA 12008

-Late model 12008 coupe which acquired the vinyl roof covering (as if they needed yet another rust haven .. !!) Seen here at the much missed Zolder Classic Club Race meeting in 2005.

ED. At the 2005 Zolder meeting, my Rallye 2 In a brightly coloured line up of SIMCA 1000s

Photo .... Francis Cruls

7 Lancaster Insurance Classic Car Show 2014 at the NEC •.. Guy Maylam

As usual this year the SIMCA Club UK and Talbot Register were fortunate enough to be given a stand at the Classic CarShow in Birmingham this November. Again as in previous years, our stand was adjoining our friends from the MATRA club's stand.

It is always difficult to bring different vehicles each year, particularly when there are 4 places to fill, so I was rather pleased when I was approached by Sam Glover, of Practical Classics magazine last year. Among his unusual and varied car collection he has a Moskvich Aleko, imported by him from Poland What connection does a Russian car have to SIMCA or Talbot. I hearyou ask.. !!?? None at all really, except that the Aleko was basically a (totally unapproved) copy of the Chrysler/Talbot Alpine. Sam was keen to see the two models together for possibly the first time ever, so I was happy to have his 'Alpine copy' parked on the stand next to Stuart and my Talbot Alpine SX. I lost count of the number of times we were asked about it, and the two received great interest all weekend! Indeed the following week, the pair appeared in Cassic Car Weeklyin their news section.

Also on the stand was Tony Owen's superb Talbot Tagora GL, possibly the only surviving UK example now. This car too caused massive interest, with at least one visitor attempting to buy it from him, but luckily for us Tony isn't weakening!

Completing the display was Phil Hart's amazing Racing Green SIMCA 1000 Rallye 2 which also aroused great interest.

The stand seemed to be a popular destination all weekend, with many people stopping offto tell us about their Talbot and also SIMCA experiences from the past. Being so near to Coventry this is definitely Talbot country, and we often get ex-employees taking time to tell anecdotes of their time with the company. With our stand located right near the Wheeler Dealers live stage, we often had to compete with TV's Mike Brewer for volume though.

At least one new club member was enrolled over the weekend, with the promise of a couple more in due course too.

Over the three days apart from Stuart Wade, myself, Tony and Mick as well as Clive and Tim at MATRA, we welcomed the following friends and club members on the stand.:- Terry Curtis, Peter Brownrigg, Brendan Montgomery, Des Cooke and Clare, Phil and Christopher Hart, Marcus Maylam and Kim Spooner, Richard Gooch, Julian Pearson, Edd Kippax, Grant Kearney (ably looking after the micro car club stand as usual), Ian Hunt andSam Glover.. Sorry ifl missed anyone out..!!

Next Year, 2015, is 40 years since the launch of the /1308 or Alpine as we know it in th the UK. If we are.. lucky enough to be given a stand again, we hope to celebrate the model's 40 nrrTnl"r<>v there . !! --����� ������

Alpine SX and Tagora GL late model Rallye 2 and, below.. ... cars on the MA TRA club stand ( SIMCA, MA TRA & Tal bot sales, wants etc......

Philippe Vanderbist is looking for an oil filler cap (picturedbelow) as used on the 1000 Rallye models, for his Rallye 3 replica project. Contact him on email [email protected] if you have anything to suit.

CHRYSLER

S I l'v'\ C:: A

1000 RALLYE- RAllYE 1, 2 et 3- 1200S E-T-1'.-1 Recently got the book above, one of a series that gets together all the info published on each range in the 'Revue Technique' publications over the years. There's one on the Arondes, 1000 '61 -78, the above, llOOTi and 1307/1308/1510.. In French of course and not cheap. I got

ours on F�enc Eb�y from · · · · · · · NOS parts for SIMCA & Tal bot... � Automobile Lzbrazre SPE. S amb a...... L ockh ee d-D el p hi TS229 · remanufactured steering rack @£25 0 France Samba brake discs, ...... 'Spidan' part no. 0080750 @£30 pair Bertone: "S

Shock Absorbers to fit 1100, Horizon, Sporting uugg) Talbot for sale Alpine/Solara, Q-H 'Lip' branded for One owner 1984 Alpine LS, 57000 both ends of some models ...... @£20pair. miles in Cafe Noir. Garaged in Coventry Samba bottom ball Joint Q-H GSJ163 & area. Bought new by the seller, Paula's VECO VB054 @£5 each mother who has sadly passed away. Alpine ...... speedo cable 1975 to '78, Contact Paula on 'Moprod' MSD586...... @£5 Alpine ...... Handbrake cable Moprod MBC828 ...... @£7 .50 May have Horizon ones too. 1985 Horizon LS for sale, 5 speed, Samba inner driveshaft boot kit, Q-H same family owned from new, 64000 MANUFACTL QJB249 ...... @5 miles garaged since day one, all old Mots Large stock of air filtersfor most models Number of Cl paperwork books etc. contact plus gasket sets and brake shoes/pads for Enginecapa. �ton 07788662015 some Maximum PCl email karlos78 [email protected]

Contact Mick Ward for cost of postage Maximum s�a 145 Rmln · • and more info on 01246 200045 or email Top Trumps card showing Shake buggy [email protected] design study by Bertone oon 1200S base. "Representative selection" introduced by David Chapman

This is a comparative test originally published in What Car? magazine back in 1980. lt is, as far as I can tell, the only test ever published featuring the 1.3 version of the Solara, which is why it makes for som� interesting reading. At that time, the Solara was the only front wheel drive car competing in the fleet sector, joined by the new Vauxhall Cavalier a year later. By the end of the 1980's, the only rear wheel drive car in the sector was the Ford Sierra, showing how much things changed in the decade.

Group test; Oatsun Bluebird 1.8GL, Morris ltai1.3HL, Talbot Solara 1.3LS

In an age where companies are accounting for around 70% of the new cars purchased in Britain today, any volume car manufacturer not pulling all the stops out in an effort to win fleet orders is frankly skating on very thin ice indeed.

For this test we have grouped together three cars, all of which are hoping to upset Ford, who themselves have for so long retained the unfaltering loyalty of fleet buyers with their Escort and Cortina models. Newest is the Morris ltal, which is basically a face-lifted Marina - itself of course always a steady seller - but BL are hoping that £5 million worth of investment, specifically fleet­ orientated, will bring in the bulk orders from the companies.

Talbot's Solara - a derivative of the existing Alpine model - is being marketed to appeal directly to the car manager. lt comes only in 1.3 and 1.6 forms, this fitting in with the rungs of the company engine capacity ladder. The rather awkward 1.4 litre engine of the Alpine is not offered. The Solara has font wheel drive which was at one time thought to risk alienation from the more traditional fleet buyers.

The new Datsun Bluebird is probably the darkest threat to the existing Ford stronghold. lt's no coincidence that Datsun's new offering looks uncannily like a Cortina, whereas the old model would more readily be confused with other Japanese cars. Of course, the importers of foreign cars - especially Japanese - are not guaranteed to succeed just because they have a good product on their hands; they must overcome the resistance of companies who prefer to buy British, and factors such as import restrictions may affect sales.

The new Morris ltal - so named because the design work was carried out by the ltal Design Studios of Turin - is bodily the same as the old Marina apart from the reworked front and rear ends, and the interior is basically unchanged.

But the most signifiCant aspect of the ltal is what lies under the bonnet. The 1.3 HL model which

on test is powered by what we used to know as the old "A" series engine. The 1275cc motor has been the subject of a huge investment policy by BL to turn it into the "A-Plus· engine of the same capacity, and as well as being fitted to four ltals, it will be used in the forthcoming Mini Metro. Power output is up from 57 to 60.8 bhp and there has been a slight increase in torque. BL claim the engine to be quieter and smoother, but what is likely to be of more interest to the fleet buyer is that the major servicing interval has been doubled from 6000 to 12,000 miles, BL having developed the engine to retain its efficiency over this extended interval. The 1700cc "0" series engine which is fitted to other models in the range remains much as before.

Underneath the updated body, suspension remains unchanged, with wishbones and torsion bars serving at the front, and a live and leaf springs at the rear. All the saloons have anti-roll bars front and rear, but the estate versions are without them.

There are two less ltals than there were Marinas, the 10 car range starting at "I" trim, through "HL" to the top of the range "HLS" model, which is available with both the smaller and larger engines. ltal prices range from £3736 for the 1.3L to £5048 for the 1. 7 HLS Estate, and our test car is priced at £3980.

to The Oatsun Bluebird is another Japanese car which has turned European. lt's another three inches longer than the old model, which puts it within an inch of the current Cortina, to which it is so similar. Whereas the old car had curves and slopes, the new Bluebird is styled with straight lines and sharp angles, and although the new model is bigger all round, it is slightly lighter.

The 1.8GL variant uses the same engine as in the old model - a four cylinder overhead-camshaft unit of 1770cc, producing 88 bhp at 5600 rpm. A 1. 61itre version is also available. The Datsun is similar to Cortinas in mechanical layout, the engine being "north south" and driving the rear wheels via the same four-speed gearbox as before, although the gearing is slightly raised.

The new Bluebird follows the Japanese trend by coming round to rack and pinion steering. Suspension has also been improved over the previous model. The new car, like its predecessor, has MacPherson struts but Oatsun have adopted "zero scrub" offset in the steering geometry, which is claimed to give better stability under braking and to reduce kickback over bumps. Rear suspension is independent, using semi-trailing arms and coil springs, with an anti-roll bar.

There is a choice of four different Bluebirds; two saloons, an estate car, and, as before, a coupe version. All cars have "GL• designation. Prices start at just under £4000 for the 1.6GL, rising to £4598 for the coupe.

The Solara, which Talbot are hoping will light up their fleet sales as well as their TV advertisements, is simply a booted version of the four year old Alpine range. Having a transversely mounted engine over the front driving wheels, the Solara is the odd man out in our group in as much as the other two have a "conventional" mechanical layout.

There are three different power units available for the Solara - a 1294cc motor and the larger 1592cc engine which comes in two different states of tune due to different carburation. The 1.3 LS model produces 67 bhp at 5600 rpm which is in fact only five less than the basic 1.6 engine. As with the Alpine, suspension is wishbones and torsion bars at the front with an anti-roll bar, semi-trailing arms and coil springs, again with an anti-roll bar, at the rear. Steering is rack and pinion, with power assistance standard on the top of the range SX car.

Solaras come in four levels of trim - "LS", "GL", "GLS", and ·sx·- so even the cheapest car in the range, the 1.3LS, has a higher level of trim than most "base" cars. Our test car cost £4069, and prices for the five-car range reach as high as £6370, which will buy the SX 1.6 automatic model.

Performance As the Oatsun fits into our price category with an engine capacity advantage of around 500cc, it goes without saying that it should be the fastest of the three cars. And so it is, with a top speed of just over the hundred mark and �0 mph reached in a creditable 12.1 secs. This puts the Datsun in a rather different performance class than the other two. Overtaking should be easier in the Bluebird, too, as the moving acceleration times are generally better than the ltal, and in most cases also better than the Solara. lt's an engine which revs easily, one which is quite willing to dip into the red section of the rev counter, although by this stage there is not a lot more power to be delivered. The Bluebird will cruise easily in the eighties, its progress made easier by the slightly higher gearing of the new model. Every Japanese car which we test has had a smooth, easy going gear-change, and the Bluebirds is no exception.

We tested a 1.6 GL version of the Solara in our July issue and complained bitterly about its poor performance as it took over 14 secs to reach 60 mph and was struggling to make 90 mph in top speed. Surprisingly, this 1.3 LS Solara has restored some of our lost faith in the Talbot - it is faster than the larger engined car, reaching 60 mph in 13.8 secs. Generally the car felt rather

" more lively than the 1.6 which seemed somewhat •strangled" when asked to perform hard. Top speed is similar too - 85 mph is attainable, compared to the 87 obtained in our previous test session. Top gear acceleration figures of the two were similar.

The 1294cc engine produces only slightly less power than the 1592cc unit. lt is allowed to rev slightly higher, and the compression is higher, so it looks like the smaller engine adds up to a more appropriate •rrt•. However, the gearchange was no improvement on this car. lt felt stiff and clonky, to the extent that town driving, where lots of changes are involved, is something of a chore.

With the Solara being surprisingly fast, the ltal is left to take last place in the acceleration ratings. The development work which BL have carried out on the 1275cc engine has not produced any noticeable improvement in performance, with top speed and acceleration being much the same as before. 60 mph is reached in 17.2 secs and top speed hovers around the 90 mph mark.

Handling and ride With Datsun's revised entry into the medium saloon car market showing such a strong European influence, we were looking forward to find out if European handling standards were also part of the new package. The Bluebird is a distinct improvement over its predecessor, although it is still recognisable as a Japanese car - meaning that the driver encounters little •feel" when cornering. The suspension is fairly soft and the Bluebird does understeer to an extent which makes this difficult to avoid when cornering hard. On the limit of its handling capabilities, the rear end will break away. Of course it's not the sort of car that is going to appeal to overtly sporting motorists, so its behaviour is by no means bad.

Almost every new Japanese car now introduced has rack and pinion steering to replace the old recirculating ball system, but as we know from experience, the promise of more precise steering is seldom more than half fulfilled. And so it is with the Bluebird - it's better, but still not as good as the best European systems. Of course, the steering is light and easy, and for drivers who prefer ease of effort rather than ultimate precision it will be adequate.

The ride is one of the Datsun's strong points. lt is soft, but not unpleasantly so, and is less choppy than we have come to expect from Japanese cars, this no doubt being due in part to the independent rear suspension set up.

Major work on the suspension is exactly what the engineers at BL have not done. As on the Marina, all aspects of the handling and ride come firmly under the mediocre heading. Most owners will probably only have to take a fast corner because they have unwittingly approached it too quickly, as there is little positive encouragement to enjoy the handling. Being rear wheel drive, it follows the normal pattern of front first and rear afterwards, but it is probably the tail which is the worst offender. The simple leaf springs are cheap to produce but the rear end hops around without much provocation both on corners and bumpy surfaces. The overall effect isn't that bad for normal driving, and the ride is reasonable, but in view of the fact that we're talking about a car with a new name, it's slightly disappointing to have to think of the car as just an updated Marina.

Of course, roadholding and handling are fairly low down on the fleet buyer's list of priorities when it comes to reviewing cars, but any rep who is allocated a Solara in preference to an ltal or Bluebird is going to end up with the best handling car. Its front wheel drive naturally puts it in a different court from the other two, as understeer characteristics are predominant. When bundling the Talbot into a bend, the front wheels will scrub and protest all the way back through to the steering wheel, which tugs in the driver's hands. lt remains quite taught on fast bends, and the overall effect is of a nimbleness, giving the Solara a slight sporting feel.

Talbot have managed to bring us the worst of both worlds by making the steering not only low geared -over four complete turns from lock to lock - but also pretty heavy as well. The Talbot gives a good even keel ride which is smooth over most surfaces, although it can be caught out by sharp bumps and broken surfaces: it is still not quite as good as that of the Bluebird.

Accommodation Although the interior of the ltal remains basically unchanged, the seats have been improved and are covered in a new fabric material, which makes them slightly more comfortable than those on the Marina.

The ltal, built in Britain for British people, has a good driving position which can accommodate most variations on the average native apart from those with long legs. There is a good amount of room for rear seat passengers, the seating position being fairly low down, and legroom is adequate.

A centre console mounted down at the base of the gearlever allows small oddments to be carried, and there are handy door pockets for maps etc, so drivers should never have to leave small items on the front seat. Boot space is of course much the same as the Marina, and not particularly generous for the class.

Our test Bluebird came trimmed in a grey colour scheme, which extends to the facia, and the seats have matching checked cloth inserts. Depending on one's taste, the whole effect could be thought of as either very restful to the eye, or garish in the extreme.

However, the seats are fairly comfortable, and the Japanese reputation for sub-standard seats seems to be diminishing with every new model introduced. The Datsun has the best seat adjustment, which includes a tilt lever and a rotating knob to vary the firmness of the lumbar support. Unfortunately, the levers which control the seat movement are all grouped down by the floor on the outside of the driver's seat near those operating the remote boot lid and fuel flap release. So if the seat should be adjusted whilst on the move- a cardinal sin, but we all do it at some time -there is a real chance that the boot or fuel flap may spring open.

Back seat accommodation is good if not outstanding, and headroom is quite good, allowing tall people to ride in comfort. The boot which opens by key or internal lever is quite shallow, but it is fairly wide.

The Talbot is possibly the most pleasant car to be in. A large glass area makes the interior bright and airy, and we thought our test car quite tastefully decked out. The seats are done in a light checked material, but we fear that after the hard life which a rep is likely to subject the car to, they might begin to show accumulated dirt. The fascia panel, made of black plastic, tends to spoil the overall effect of the interior.

Both front and rear seats are comfortable, and the high driving position means that all-round visibility is good. lt also tends to restrict headroom, however, and taller drivers may well find that they are brushing the roof lining with their heads. Rear legroom is better than average due to the fact that the wheelbase is slightly longer than the other two.

Living with the cars The all important factors in happy ownership of cars are very different for high-mileage company drivers than they are for the private motorist. But overall, the Bluebird will probably present the least irritations of ownership to both company and private drivers alike. lt has the best equipment list, as Japanese cars always seem to in our group comparisons. Instrumentation is comprehensive and easily read, although it is not the most pleasing to the eye. Included is a digital clock which tells more than the time; tinted glass comes in the package, and the radio is a standard fitting. The ventilation system is controlled from a panel in the centre console, and works as well as any other Japanese car, allowing a decent amount of fresh air, which we were relieved to have during most of the test period. Typical of the attention to detail is the variable intermittent

l3 wiper system, controlled by rotating the end of the stalk which also operates the two-speed wipers.

Day to day life with the ltal will probably satisfy most owners, but if a rep is given it in preference to the Bluebird he may well feel that his face does not fit in so well with the company. Generally the ltal feels quite crude; it is noisier than the Datsun and will not be such a pleasant car in which to pace up and down the motorways of Britain. Instruments are a bit on the sparse side, with the two round dials containing the speedometer, fuel and temperature gauges looking slightly lonely in the large expanse of black plastic of the fascia.

In HL guise the ltal is quite well equipped, a radio and clock being included, but we wish that BL would put the clock somewhere else, rather than down beside the gearlever base, where it draws the eye from the road.

All the way through this test we seem to have been making comments about the LS 1.3 Solara which are more flattering than those made about the GL 1.6. For everyday service, the smaller car seems to be a more likeable proposition. lt's a bit plainer, but this seems to suit the character of the car better as it looks a trifle ornate in more expensive forms. Like the Marina, it has a radio as a standard fitting, and also included is a door mirror which can be adjusted from inside the car.

Costs If the new ltal is going to be a success, then the development work which BL have carried out in order to reduce servicing attention will be a significant factor. Service intervals are now at 12,000 miles and take up to 3 hours ofa garage mechanic's time.

Fuel consumption during our test period proved to be good, if not outstanding. We averaged 31.2 mpg, and on a long run returned a best of 35.5 mpg. We would imagine however that a busy salesman rushing up and down motorways is not likely to get much more than 30 mpg during his travels.

Parts prices look very favourable for the ltal, and there are no quoted fitting times which will take up too much of an expensive mechanic's time. And with 1900 dealers up and down the country, there must be an appointed agent near everyone. The insurance man smiles on the ltal owner, too, with most companies placing the 1.3 HL in group 2.

Despite the hullabaloo from BL about the increased servicing intervals, this change only makes it the same as the Datsun, which needs 2.5 hours spent on it at 12,000 miles, although it does need an oil change every 6000 miles.

The Bluebird does not return fuel figures as good as the ltal and Solara, which is to be expected as it has the largest engine and is the heaviest of the three cars. Our average was 28.6 mpg, the best 31.4 mpg, but town driving produced figures in the low twenties. Parts prices are rather more expensive for the Bluebird, although actually fitting them is very quick. But there are fewer dealers than for the ltal or Solara, with a choice of 400 nationwide. lt will be expensive to insure the Datsun as it is in group 5.

Service intervals for the Solara are at 10,000 miles, and the quoted time is 2.8 hours. However, there are not very many dealers for what is a major British manufacturer; only 600 up and down the country.

The 1.3 Solara is livelier than the 1.6 model, but it is not much more economical. During our test we obtained an average of 31.3 mpg, and after a hard test session the ftgure dropped to around 23 mpg. lt looks as though it will be fairly cheap to buy parts and have them fitted to the Solara. The most expensive item on our list is a replacement exhaust system at £46, and nothing takes more than

l4 an hour to frt. However, the Talbot is going to be more expensive to insure than the ltal, but less so than the Datsun.

All three cars come with a 12 month/ unlimited mileage warranty, and additionally BL give their Supercover deal which can be extended for a second year. Talbot cars come with the "Extra Care" policy which gives free replacement of some parts which wear out, such as clutches and brake pads, during the year.

Verdict Japanese cars are clearly regarded as the major threat to the British car industry. Yet while politicians and company chairmen have bandied around phrases such as "import controls" around, the Japanese have been quietly working away to produce a car which looks set to make inroads into what optimists regard as at least one patriotic stronghold-that of the fleet market. And ifany Japanese car can do it, then the Bluebird must be in with a good chance. Ifs the best car of the three, and that's not just because it offers a lot more for the money. lt's a refined car which is a lot better than its predecessor, and perhaps more importantly, it is European -looking enough to make the fleet buyers conveniently forget that they really ought to be buying British.

If BL had brought us this latest offering as a new series Marina, then our expectations would not have been so high. But if they are going to allow themselves the prestige of a new model name, then buyers will expect more than just a facelift. Of course it remains to be seen whether those who matter-in this case the fleet managers- will be impressed by BL's efforts to cut running costs. If they are, then the Marina -sorry ltal, will be given a new lease of life.

In LS 1.3 guise the Talbot Solara does seem a more likeable car than the 1.6 GL which we tested recently. lt has just the right sort of appeal to fit into the fleet market, but it's not the best around.

The three cars compared .... The 1.3LS Solara, BL's facelift of the Marina into the I tal and the last rear wheel drive model of Nissan's Bluebird......

l5 Racing MATRA cars at the 2008 Retromobile show in Paris... : .• Francis Cruls

Francis Cruls from the SIMCA, MATRA, Talbot club Belgium has sent these

photos ... .. He writes ..... Inside was a stand "les Ateliers EPAF" (Entretien du Patrimoine Automobile Francais) from Romorantin and a display of competition MA TRA cars restored by seniors who have worked with MATRA in the 60's & 70's . Jean-Paul Humbert and Bemard Balzeau are THE specialists who are, still today, able to restore the famous V12 MATRA Fl & F2 cars and historic Le Mans cars. Outside between the Retromobile halls, were the MATRA 640 and 650 just like brand new! The best was to come when they decided to start the engine of the 650 and when it was warmed up they started to drive it and accelerate between the concrete walls. We could then listen to special music of the MATRA Vl2. Another year I was present at the Le Mans Classic and could listen to more from the

MATRA64D Hl\1\?t.!.1�1R� ELF

Great to see the MATRA-Simca racing heritage being preserved so well... .. lb Racing MATRA cars at the 2008 Retromobile show in Paris.• .... Francis Cruls

Pictures from the folder showing the work of the EPAF organisation ......

17 Great to see the MATRA-Simca racing heritage being preserved so well.. ... SIMCAs still in use in Cuba...... photos by Tom Singfield

Tom recently sent me these photos taken on holiday in Cuba where lack of access to modern vehicles means the older stuffis kept running sometimes heavily modified. He asked me to identify the models and the approximate years of the cars. Many of the cars are from the Aronde range but an Ariane and a 'butchered' Vedette can be seen too. The squarer white car in the bottom picture in this column, I think is a FIAT 125 (Polski with DIY front end.

•

IS Back to Work on 1200S Resto ..... Mick Ward

The colder weather has seen me retreat to the garage. This is good news for my RHD 1200S Coupe as it means it fmally gets a bit of attention again. In recent months my time has been spent on the 1100 pickup and various non car issues. I'd fitted the frontcrossmember and steering rack from a later (post '69) SIMCA 1000, reassembled the suspension with new joints where necessary and refitted the rad, its ducting and rerouted the cooling pipes to go over the rack. A new hole had been made in the bulkhead for the steering column as the shaft from the rack goes between the pedals. The one for the steering box went through at the top corner by the wheelarch .. It was obvious that more than simply transplanting a late 1000 column would be needed as the coupe's dash is further back. The section of the column from the rack to the centre UJ had to be longer. A search through our stock of parts from 'dead' SIMCAs in the shed produced the goods in the shape of that part from a MA TRA Bagheera. It also has an extra UJ at the bottom to allow a more precise fit betweenthe pedals. Looking further up the column, it becameobvious just how crudely the RHD conversion had been done when the car was new ..!!! The bracket holding the column (centre in photo) was particularly flimsy and was totally different from the much more substantial equivalent part (right on photo) takenfrom my LHD 'spares car'. One froma late 1000 saloon is shown on the left I'm now fabricating my own assembly to mount everything . Elsewhere, variousbits of reinforcement that had been added to mount things on the RH side had cracked badly, explaining the huge amount of 'lost movement' on the original set up on this car. I now know my decision to go rack & pinion was the right one ..... Once the steering is assembled I can tun it round ready to refit the mechanicals. Horizon Pullman wheels are a temporary fit but they look quite well on the 12008

\9 Photos from simca-competition.com website .

www.stmca-compett't!on.com

The enthusiasm for the SIMCA 1000s & Rallyes, 1000, 12008 coupes & SIMCA­ CGs is amazing on there. I've had to brush up my French to post stuffon there though, www.simca-competition.com �------��------� 149 MOTOR week ending October 29 1966

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2J SIMCA 1000 & 1200S coupe•••. •• article and some photos from SIMCA, MATRA, Talbot club Belgium October 2014magazine Translated byMick Ward

THE SIMCA 1000 based Bertone 1204cc was fitted with 2 Solex twinchoke Coupes...... carbs, and with a compression ratio of

In 1961 at the Paris Show, the SIMCA 10.25: was a truesporting car. Well 1000 was launched. As usual inthat era, cons� it achieved a top speed of the public expected a sporting version of 175km/h and spectacular(for its time) the standard model..It would come soon. acceleration: 1 to 100km/h in 12.7 sec. SIMCA ask fa mous Italiancoachbui lder Fuel consumption remained very Bertone to create a sporting model. acceptable though. To cool the engine, History. .. the radiator was moved to the front. The Giorgetto Guigaro, an employee of cooling grilles at the front and two extra Bertone had a blank sheet and quickly lamps gave the 1200S a much more came up with a good design. SIMCA was sporting look. At the same time, the very satisfied with the concept and 13 battery and thespare wheel were placed in chassis of the 1000 saloon were sent to the luggage compartment which gave a Turin where the Italian coachbuilder gave better weight distribution. the carthe shape. The 1000 coupe was At therear, thewhe els received negative presented to the public at the 1962 camber, made possible by the use of an Geneva show, and everybody agreed the extra UJ on the driveshaftthe at wheel concept was a success. French appeal end. The result was an improvement in with an Italian style. stability in bends. From 1968, this change Not only the appearance but also the was made on all the SIMCA 1000 range. interior was completely rethought Finally, as a result of the increase in compared with the 1000 saloon and the power and performance, sales were on the result is very 'chic'. up ... !!!

The 944cc engine of the l 000 Special • Model llistorv.... whichoff ered 2bhp more thanthe base March 1962 ... model, was used and the carwas eq uipped Geneva Show, Launch of the SIMCA 1000 Coupe, top with 4 disc brakes. As a result of better speed 140kmlh aerodynamics, the finaldrive of the 4 May 1967 speed synchro gearboxwas raised . Appearance of the 12008 technically and slightly so thetop speed was 140kmlh, aesthetically improved , with new lights, not bad,in 1962. air Production of the coupe wasa Franco­ extra intakes etc ,new l204cc engine Italian co-operation. Bertone produced with 80bhp, front mounted radiator, new rear the complete bodyshell which was suspension with negative camber and transported intoF rance(Pm told they improved frontsuspension, dual circuit speedwas went in baremetal .. !!) wherethe brakes. Top 175 km/h. 1969 mechanical components were added. The & steering, 1000 Coupe acquired, with its elegant Introduction of rack pinion fine brake servo, laminated screen, front seats line, a place in the motoring World adj ustable, and, above all, on the French market. It more luggage area fo r back carpeted . should besaid it was often boughtas a seat 1971 second car. However, after a few yearsit a rear became increasingly clearthat the 944cc Fitting of window demister and a roof. engine couldn't match the verysporting vinyl October 1971 image it oozed. The low power was considered more andmore of a drawback. Production of the 12008 is suspended 1972 In 1967, its long awaited successor came 1200Swas Withthe remaining parts some more to the market The perfectly built. adaptedto those needs. The engine of 12008 were

See your Editor 's progress on restoring his '67 RHD 12008 elsewhere in this issue SIMCA 1000 & 1200S coupe...... article and some photos from SIMCA, MATRA, Talbot club Belgium October 2014 magazine Translated by Mick Ward

the CG connection Several other manufacturers at the time In the period 1967-1974, the French firm had made a 'Coupe' by simply modifying CG (Chappe Freres & Gessalin) built, on the rootline. the base ofboth the 1000 and the 1200S, a SIMCA haddone it another way. The small series of sporting cars with the body concept was entirely new and the bodywork in synthetic materials. There Franco-Italian production systemworked was an open spider version and a closed out. coupe, which were both included in the The fact that the coupewas produced SIMCA sales programme (in France). The in relatively small numbers has given the first CG had a weight of 640kg and its top car a certain exlclusivity. speed was 160 kmlh and the 12008 It's trueparts are not easy to find, version achieved 185 km/h. The final especially for the bodywork. Inthat version was the 8IMCA CG with the respect they are totally different from the (1294cc) engine of the SIMCA Rallye 2. 1000 saloon. On the other hand, the Driving the 12008 mechanical parts are largely similar to It is a true sports car. Well constructed those used in the mainstream SIMCA and a fe eling of being well thought out. 1000 range and other SIMCAs. Also it is surprisingthat the increase in Facts & Figures power from thenew engine has not 8IMCA 1000 Coupe 1962 -1967 significantly affected the fuel 10915 manufactured consumption. 8IMCA 12008 Coupe 1967 to 1971 Thanks to the negative camber on the 14741 manufactured rear wheels, the suspension 'tweaks' and Engines.... Michelin ZX tyres, the bends can be 8IMCA 1000 coupe 944cc tackled much fa ster. It is practically Bore x Stroke ...68 x 65mm impossible to 'break away'. Driving on 8IMCA 12008 coupe 1204cc winding roads is sheer pleasure. Bore x Stroke... 74 x 70mm Onthe motorways, theCoupe, especially Body with a bit of side win�is less at ease. At 8IMCA 1000 Coupe : weight 795kg speeds in excess of 140 kmlhit begins to length 3. 93 metres become noticeable that the heavy part of 8IMCA 12008 coupe weight 890kg the car is at the rear. Small corrections on length 3.99 metres the steering are necessary to maintaim a Brakes 4 discs on both models. straight line. Thesuspension is very Carbs good, firm enoughwithout the comfort 8IMCA 1000 Coupe single carb suffering. In the bends, the body leans SIMCA 12008 Coupe 2 twin choke very lightly. A sporting driving style is Solex necessary to exploit fullythe huge dose Compression Ratio of pleasure the car offers. Thenoise of 8IMCA 1000 Coupe 9:1 . ' tbe engme ts always th"ere.. .. 8IMCA UHS coupe 10.25:1 Classic status Some SIMCA brochures from that era The SIMCA coupe is worthy in many show the 1200S available to sp ecial order ways of its classic status . Above all it has only here, still in LR drive. Six were said an elegant line, a fm e example producing to have been converted to RHdrive by a (sporting) variant of a popular car. dealers War wick Wr ight. And I believe Not only did the Coupe appear so very maybe 5 still exist within our club in soon after the SIMCA 1000 but the various states of (dis)repair. I'm not sure simplest solution was chosen.. whether any 1000 coupes were sold new here or whether the UK survivors are all later imports ...... Ed

Se e your Editor 's progress on restoring his '67 RHD 1200S elsewhere in this issue SJMCA 1000 & 1200S coupe ...... article and some photos from SIMCA, MATRA, Talbot club Belgium October 2014 magazine Translated by Mick Ward

Above: Origina1 944cc SIMCA 1000

Coupe. 'Faux wood' dash used the round instruments later adopted for the 1000 Rallye models and 11OOTi. Bottom: obvious! competition 1200S coupe.

1200S based SIMCA-CG alongside --��f Alpine A 110 which was a similar concept but originally based on R8 Gordini parts

See your Editor 's progress on restoring his '67 RHD 12008 elsewhere in this issue Des Col/ins sp otted these SJMCAs and Talbot on a recent visitto Loheac , ....

Des made his regular visit to Loheac in France, home of the Manoir de l 'Automobile museum and various track facilities and has sent us these photos of cars from the SIMCA-Talbot range there. These older SIMCA cars are much closer to what SIMCA intended than the much modified 'make do & mend' examples from Cubs featured elsewhere in this issue. The SIMCA-CG coupe was made by Chappe & Gessalin and used parts from the SIMCA 1000 and the 1200S Coupe. I believe the fibreglass bodyshell was made to take the windscreen from the 1000 & 1200S Bertone coupes. (ED. Personally, I would happily get rid of most of my other SIMCA s ifI could get hold of a de cent CG coupe) The Samba Rallye we got in the UK had the larger 1360cc engine but was detuned compared with the 'proper' 1219cc version which the one pictured here would be. The Samba, of course, was a Talbot car not derived from a previous Chrysler­ SIMCA design being based on the old 104. Also pictured is a tidy looking 1311501 saloon.

25 1000's seen recently in France & LeMans start at 70's SIMCA Racing Team race

All the best to the SIMCA World in 2015...... 2b SIMCA ClUB UK

Treasurer. Edward Martley, 8 Rye Close, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 1XG Telephone: +44 (0)1295 255173 [email protected]

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If you wish any of your details to be omitted from the membership lists, please notify the Treasurer, Edward Martley. Please do not simply omit the relevant details from this formas, in the absence ofspecific instructions to the contraty, they will be addedfrom our existing records. RESTORATION & CLASSIC CARS HOW

28-29 MARCH 2015 • NEC BIRMINGHAM

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