Description
SIMCA 1000 COUPE' BERTONE (1966) The Simca 1000 Coupé is a very special car, rare because just over 10, 000 examples were produced between 1962 and 1967 and today almost impossible to find with around 300 cars still in existence worldwide. Its bodywork was designed by a very young Giorgetto Giugiaro (the Simca coupé was in fact one of his first works) who was employed at the Bertone coachworks in Turin at the time, and in the Bertone factories in Grugliasco (on the outskirts of Turin) the unfinished bodies were produced on the mechanical basis of the small French saloon; then the bodies were shipped by rail to the Simca factory in Poissy where they were painted, dressed and fitted with the mechanical components. The small Simca 'fuoriserie' made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1962 (a few months after the 1000 saloon, presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1961): the sports version was based on the floorpan and mechanics of the 'four-door', even the engine was the same type 315 'Poissy' with 40 hp DIN mounted at the rear cantilever (small engine with 944 cc but rather refined in structure: five bank supports, superquadrant stroke/ stroke ratio, anti-clockwise direction of rotation. It was designed by Georges Martin, creator of the legendary Matra V12, used in Formula 1 and three times winner at Le Mans), the same wheelbase, but a real sports car braking system with four disc brakes instead of drums as on the derivation version. A technical scheme that made the 1000 Coupé a small Porsche. The example for sale is one of the last produced and is even more particular and rare because it was specifically intended for the Italian market: in addition to the side repeaters on the front wings for the direction indicators, this car has a rather different interior with a dashboard covered in imitation wood, the Five Stars sports steering wheel with a wooden crown, the Veglia Borletti instruments with Italian lettering, and the rear seat that is more comfortable because it is completely padded. According to the original registration document, this 1000 Coupé was registered in the province of Treviso on 17 August 1966; colour 'Vert Velasquez', interior in beige vinyl, chassis SB161764. Remained in the environs of Treviso until a few months ago, this small sports car is now in very good condition with just 91600 km actually driven by only two owners. The car is absolutely healthy, free of corrosion, complete and original and has received a light restoration in the early nineties when it was repainted in its original colour; it was a job well done but the paint now shows some imperfections and signs of time; the chrome bumpers, original, after almost sixty years show some rust spots on the surface. The interior is in excellent condition with seats and side panels as new. Mechanically the car is in excellent working order: the engine runs smoothly, does not overheat, does not smoke and was fitted at the time of purchase with a Reca twin-exit sports exhaust, similar to the Abarth exhausts of the period. I also recently replaced the petrol pump and the entire hydraulic clutch control. The braking system was also completely renewed with new master cylinder and calipers. The tyres are not worn, but they are old and will have to be replaced. On the road this little sports car really does go very well. It should also be noted that this Simca 1000 Coupé in 1994, just after the light restoration, was homologated by the ASI (like the Italian FIVA) with a silver plate, confirming the car's originality, rarity and good condition. The car is sold with four new wheel studs, new windscreen wiper blades and new rubber carpets inside. The car is currently de-registered and unregistered, but all necessary documentation for re-registration as a historic or export vehicle is available, including the old and original registration document and the ASI homologation certificate. This Simca 1000 Coupè Bertone is located in Giaveno (postcode 10094), 30 km from Turin, and can be viewed and collected here after the sale. I can also organise delivery of the car anywhere in the world (delivery by multiple transporters is possible in Europe at an affordable cost). More photos and videos available on request.
