Simca Chambord

Wednesday 26 August 2009
After three years in production, the Simca Vedette was given a new, elongated body, with a more ornate front end and large tailfins, making it even more American-looking than before. This was part of a styling trend shown by most large European cars of that period, which were, to some extent, inspired by American styling, as tailfins appeared on Peugeots, Fiats, BMC models (Pinin Farina-styled), Fords and even Mercedes-Benz cars of that era. The three-year-old body of the previous Vedette found a new use, in April 1957. Fitted with the 1.3-litre Aronde engine, it became a new model in the Simca range — the Simca Ariane. Later, in October 1957, a V8 version with the Aquillon 84, called the Ariane 8, joined the range, replacing the Trianon. The Versailles was replaced by Simca Beaulieu and the Régence by the Chambord, while the estate retained the Marly name.

Technical data:
- engine: 4 cylinders
- capacity: 1300 cc
- horsepower: 84 HP
- gearbox: 4+1
- top speed: 130 km/h