The market for Simca’s new 9 Sport two seater coupe was never going to be vast. But that didn’t deter the firm. Together with Jean Daninos at Facel they designed a car that was both highly detailed and beautiful.
Each one was hand-crafted in aluminium and steel with advanced unibody construction. The result was a car that cost three times that of the Simca Aronde Quotidienne and more than a Porsche 356. Sales were inevitably slow.
From 1955 Simca began using the name Coupe De Ville, which was a more comfortable fit for a car that was less sports car than a celebration of comfort and design.
The 9 is a paean to the lost art of letting car designers and engineers run free. The result is obvious from the photographs: a beautiful car with lovely details inside and out.
This 1955 Coupe De Ville has spent time as part of the Simca Museum in Martinique where the current keeper acquired it. He has since spent €1,400 on a mechanical refresh and it is said to start and run well. The exterior and interior are very presentable and certainly usable, but there is scope to improve.
These cars rarely come to market because owners tend to want to keep them. Few of those that do have the provenance of this one.
The History and Paperwork
1955 Coupe De Ville
26,855 kms on odometer which the vendor tells us is genuine
Acquired by the seller from the Simca Museum in Martinique
Some service and maintenance work undertaken in June 2017
Further work completed in December 2023 costing €1,400
Very rare car with later Coupe De Ville improvements
The 9 was built by Facel and believed to have been designed by boss Jean Daninos
The Condition
Beautiful pillarless design in aluminium and steel with great detailing inside and out
Dark blue paintwork in good order with some light but not unsightly marks
These include a scratch on a door and shallow boot dent
Bodywork presents well with some microblistering and light bubbling visible
Sits on steel wheels with pretty chrome hub caps and matching spare in boot
Structure appears in good order with solid boot floor and underside
Vendor advises that the bumpers have been rechromed
Bumpers in good order and remaining chromework presents well with some tarnishing
Velour interior in complete and generally well kept condition
There are signs of age inside including fading to seats and carpets
Some wear visible to seat surfaces and carpets but serviceable
Vendor advises that the interior would benefit from an overhaul but it could be used as is
Interior fittings including dashboard and chrome switchgear very well kept
Bespoke Jaeger oval dials in good ordering showing light patina of originality
Beautiful chrome two spoke wheel in very good condition and a highlight of the cabin
Two seater layout with large front bench-style individual seats and large rear stowage area
The Mechanics
1,221cc Simca 45bhp 4cyl engine
4spd manual gearbox
We are told the car has been regularly maintained
Previously serviced and maintained by the Simca Museum
Solex carburettor system
Some maintenance work undertaken in June 2017
Further extensive work in December 2023
We are told the car starts first time and runs well
BEFORE YOU BUY
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1955 Simca 9 Coupe De Ville
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