Classic Cars

[jeanlouis]

Foreground, the compressor G 60, underneath of the alternator.


The compressor is just a steel metal sheet in the shape of spiral (blue part on the photo) stretched by an eccentric shaft.


The 16 valves engine double OHC. Volkswagen tested some with the compressor G 60.


The three Golf GTI models

 

[jeanlouis]

Golf GTI G 60 is a late Golf II, a model appeared in 1983.


The last true GTI ?


In 1992, for the Golf III, the motor of the GTI G 60 is replaced by a big V6 2.8 Liter. Very compact, it look like an aligned six-cylinder. The angle of the V is only 15°!


The new Golf GTI is powered by a 2 Liter engine instead of 1.8 L
The Golf VR6 replace the Golf GTI G 60.

 

[jeanlouis]

Catalog Volkswagen Corrado G60 model 1990


2 special features for the coupé Corrado : The compressor G 60 and the telescopic spoiler at the back



Launched in only one version G 60, the coupé Corrado get soon a cheaper version 16 V - 139 ch.

 

[jeanlouis]

The first coupé Corrado G60 presented in 1988


Corrado model 1992
Left above : The new Corrado VR6 replace the G60. The V6 engine is a litte bigger than the Golf VR6 one (2.9 liter)
Middle and below : The downscale version 1.8 L - 16 V


Corrado VR6 and Corrado 2 L - 8 V, the last Volkswagen coupés, are produced until 1995.

Before the coupé Corrado, it was the Scirocco.


Scirocco was the coupé version of the Golf. Both appeared in 1974. Here a model 1977.


Scirocco II launched in 1981.

 

[jeanlouis]

AC Cobra 427, a monster from Caroll Shelby (1965)


Caroll Shelby between Cobra Street and Cobra Competition


427 for 427 cubic inches or 7 liter. Motor V8 from the Ford Galaxy.


Until 485 ch for the version Competition!

 

[jeanlouis]

Renault 4 Parisienne, up'market and fashionable (1963 - 1968)


Spring 1963 : This new 4L version, derived from R4 Super, is launched by the magazine "Elle". Renault expected market is the woman one.
The very first R4 Parisienne has yet the old R4 Super tailgate in two parts with a big rear taking down window and tubular bumpers.


For the decoration, it is "cannage" or Scottish motif. Solid-colored paint on request.


First car of the French singer Sheila, 4L Parisienne made the cover of her second disk at Christmas 1964.
Her 4L has disappeared for a long time and she is always singing! (no comment)


Renault 4 range 1966


New dashboard for the model 67 (on the right, the old)


R4 Parisienne or Super Parisienne on the Renault stand at Paris motorshow 1963.


In 1968 Renault range is simplified : End for the R4 Parisienne, Dauphine, Caravelle coupé and convertible.
R4 Super is replaced by R4 Export 4 or 5 CV.

 

[jeanlouis]

1964 : Same price, same motor...
Useful R4 Super or pretty Dauphine Export?


Disk brakes, seats and four-speed gearbox of the new Dauphine Export come from the R8, some advantages in front of the R4 Super.


The Renault range 1966 on a beautiful Saviem truck. (Renault subsidiary)

 

[jeanlouis]

SIMCA : Around the Aronde (1950 - 1964)


Simca-Fiat family : Before Simca Sport and Aronde, the Simca were just some Fiat assembled in France.


The new Simca 8 1200 is presented at Paris motorshow 1949. It is derived from Simca 8, itself derived from Fiat 508C Balilla.
Motor 7 CV, bigger trunk with spare wheel inside, larger rear window, bulging radiator-grill... waiting for the future Simca 9 Aronde.


Simca 8 1200 saloon


Simca 8 1200 coupé. A version cabriolet is also at the catalog.


Simca Sport cabriolet model 1950


Simca Sport coupé. Coupé and cabriolet, bodyworked by Facel-Metallon, are some specific Simca designed by Pininfarina.

 

[jeanlouis]

Spring 1951 : The new Simca 9 Aronde crossing the river... Aronde leave Gournay sur... Aronde. (Oise - France)
Aronde mean "hirondelle" (swallow) in old French. At this time Simca had for slogan "Simca, a bird appetite" and the constructor had chosen a swallow for its new logo. Bad idea, today we know that a bird has a serious appetite according its weight!


Foreground, the Simca 9 Aronde and behind, the Fiat 1400. We can see that the link is not totally broken between both constructors.


First Aronde catalog : The mechanical is conventional and close to the Simca 8 1200 one.


Early models had a radiator-grill in the shape of podium.


New bulging windshield in one part for the coupé Simca Sport model 1951. The cabriolet keep the old in two parts.


Simca 8 1200 and new Simca 9 Aronde.


Sold 636.300 F, the Aronde is more expensive than its main competitors Peugeot 203 and Citroën Traction 11 Légère.
The price of the novelty.

 

[jeanlouis]

Autumn 1951, the Simca 9 Aronde is ready for the serie production at Nanterre manufactory, near Paris.


At the elegance contest


New radiator-grill for the Simca Sport


Spring 1952 : The Simca Sport that use now the Aronde plateform is a little longer than before.
The cabriolet version disappear from the catalog.


Simca 9 Sport is made in small serie by Facel-Metallon (the future Facel-Vega).


October 1951 : First motorshow for the Aronde.

 

[jeanlouis]

An Aronde of plexiglas welcome the Simca stand visitors at Paris motorshow 1952.


New models but some are not yet marketed for the moment.


Left : This Aronde cabriolet named Plein Ciel is a motorshow prototype that will be never marketed.
Right : Cabriolet Simca Sport available only in 1955! It seem that the constructor from Nanterre has some issues with its cabriolets.


Aronde range 1953.


Yet a prototype, this pretty Aronde will be available only in 1954.


The new Simca Sport 1953


Sometimes the Aronde Commerciale is called Break. Later it will be the Chatelaine.

 

[jeanlouis]

Henri-Theodore Pigozzi, president and founder of Simca, presents "his" new Aronde 54 with widened radiator-grill.


Simca range 1954 is exhibited on the first floor of Eiffel tower.


Aronde Luxe


Like the other Aronde, the version Grand Large has some new rear lights.



The old Commerciale is now called Chatelaine. Commerciale is the name of a new model with a small window on each side. (see above)


Simca Sport and Aronde Grand Large

 

[jeanlouis]

Simca divided in two departments after the purchase of Ford France (Ford SAF) : Aronde and Vedette (december 1954)
Simca get the new range Ford Vedette and the big modern manufactory at Poissy. A manufactory near Paris still in activity today, working for Stellantis ex-PSA.


Aronde surbaissée 55 (Lowered 55) : A lot of noise around a smaller wheel 14" instead of 15"!
Only some marketing, today the young are cutting their car springs...


A panoramic rear window for the Aronde Grand Large.


Aronde Quotidienne above, Luxe below.


Spring 1955, a cabriolet join the coupé Simca Sport : Week-End for the cabriolet on the left, Coupé de Ville for the coupé on the right.
It is the cabriolet seen at the motorshow 52 with a simplified finition.


The young actress Brigitte Bardot relaxing in front of a cabriolet Week-End.


The interior of the cabriolet Week-End


Coupé de Ville

 

[jeanlouis]

Thierry Dubois inspired by René Bellu, like me.

 

[jeanlouis]

Aronde 1300 model 1956 : Motor 1300 Flash and Flash Special - Line Oceane - New dashboard


Bigger trunk by extension of the back overhang, new rear lights, third front face


Spring 1956 : Limited serie "Rue de la Paix" is a luxurious Aronde Grand Large powered by a Flash Special motor.


Aronde 1300 Chatelaine


Two Aronde new versions : Deluxe replace Quotidienne and Elysée replace Luxe. The new downscale Deluxe seem less poor than the old Quotidienne.


Simca Coupé de Ville


Simca Coupé de Ville


Beside the traditional stand Simca, there is an automobile ballet at Bagatelle.


A Simca event with some Coupé de Ville and Aronde 1300


Cabriolet Week-End

 

[jeanlouis]

Aronde model 57 : New front bench with independant back named 3D seat (except Deluxe version and breaks)


On the principle of the "Rue de la Paix" above, derived from the Grand Large version, there is now the luxurious "Elysée-Matignon" derived from the Elysée (motor Flash Special 57 ch).


Aronde Elysée-Matignon


The new coupé Plein-Ciel, that replace the Coupé de Ville, is bodyworked by Facel-Metallon.


Coupé Plein-Ciel model 57


Presented at Paris motorshow 1956, the new cabriolet Oceane (it explain the siren!) replace the old cabriolet Week-End.
Do you remember all these names? Me not... The faithful Simca customer was annoyed, he had never the last model!


Cabriolet Oceane model 57 (notice the panoramic windshield)


Larger back opening for the Aronde Chatelaine.


Cabriolet Oceane dashboard


The official Plein-Ciel photoshot turning wrong!

 

[jeanlouis]

Aronde record-breaking : Spring 1957, a model taken out of the chain break all the enduring records at Montlhéry.
100.000 kilometers in 38 days with 113 km/h average speed, inedit for a serie car. Some years later, it will be 200.000 km with a Simca Ariane!
Simca present proudly this car at Paris motorshow 1957.


For celebrating this event, a version Montlhéry is created. Powered by the performing motor Flash Special, it replace the Elysée-Matignon that was too expensive. Always to commemorate this record, there is a little badge behind all the Aronde.


Aronde Montlhéry, photo from the subsidiary Simca do Brasil.


Aronde Montlhéry, photo from the subsidiary Simca do Brasil.


Above : Aronde Elysée
Left below : New model Grand Large Special is cheaper than the version "Rue de la Paix" on the right.


Left : Aronde Chatelaine
Right : Aronde Messagère


Coupé Plein Ciel


Panoramic windshield of Océane and Plein-Ciel models reduce the access to the habitacle.


Aronde Chatelaine : Two cars in one.

 

[jeanlouis]

Simca Aronde P60 range 1959


Why P60 ?
1 - For Poissy 1960 : All the Simca production is going to move to this modern factory.
2 - For Personified 1960 : The biggest choice of colors body and roof for a French car.
3 - For Pigozzi 60 y/o : The Simca president is just sixty.


The logo P60 appear on front right fender of all the models Aronde, old and new body.


The new logo Simca keep the swallow as emblem.


Above : Monaco (motor Flash Special) and Grand Large (motor Flash)
Below : Montlhéry and the new P60 dashboard.


Aronde coach Grand Large


Left : Lateral trims are different according the P60 model : Thin arrow for Elysée and Grand Large, thick arrow for Montlhéry and Monaco.
Right : I remember the speedometer of my cousin P60. It was an orange (or red) ribbon that moved from left to right and reverse!


Aronde old and new body are both on the podium at Paris motorshow 1958.


For its cheap version Deluxe 6 CV, Simca launch again the old motor 1090 cm3 of the Simca 8! Its target is the Renault Dauphine.
Super Deluxe version is like the old Aronde 1300.


New front face for Simca Océane and Plein Ciel.

 

[jeanlouis]

Paris motorshow 1959 : A star is born, Etoile six and Etoile sept, two Aronde P60 downscale.


Two helicoïdal springs moreover for the back axle. In theory, the Aronde would be more comfortable... The Simca response to the new Aerostable suspension of the Renault Dauphine.

Aronde range 1960 : Last year for the old Deluxe six replaced by Etoile six. Grand Large model is stopped.


The actress Annie Girardot at the wheel of the new Etoile six.

Sunshine roof in option for all the Aronde except Deluxe six and breaks.

Vans, pick-up and breaks receive the P60 front face. Two new versions appear : Artisanale and Ranch


A welcome cheaper version S for Oceane and Plein Ciel appear. The motor Flash Special is a little more powerfull, 60 ch instead of 57 ch.


Februar 1960 : The millionth Aronde!


Aronde Intendante and Oceane at a Simca meeting.

 

[jeanlouis]

Model 61 : Bye-bye P60, hello Rush motor.


Almost all the Simca are equiped with a new Rush motor 5-bearing, the engine of enduring record, 200.000 km on the Miramas circuit in summer 1960 (Simca Ariane).


The singer Petula Clark presents the new Aronde Rush Montlhéry. Notice the badge Simca on the bonnet that replace the old Aronde.


Above : Elysée - Ranch
Below : Etoile six


Aronde Elysée


Aronde Etoile six with the option sunshine roof. Etoile six/seven is the Aronde best-seller.


A restrained style for the Aronde 61 sides, it is more difficult to recognize the version now (except if you know reading).


Aronde and Ariane are powered by the same motor Rush.


Restrained style also for Plein Ciel and Oceane front face. (new bumpers)


The rocket Rush was dismantled before the motorshow 1960 opening on the staff request.
Rush 6 CV : 1089 cm3 - 42 ch for Etoile six only.
Rush service 7 CV : 1290 cm3 - 48 ch for Chatelaine, Messagère, Intendante.
Rush 7 CV : 1290 cm3 - 52 ch for Etoile sept, Elysée.
Rush super 7 CV : 1290 cm3 - 62 ch for Montlhéry, Monaco, Ranch, Plein Ciel, Oceane.


Classic speedometer with hand for Aronde Rush model 61.