Simon Cars - Simca Vedette

Simca Vedette

Ford France manufactured the Ford Vedette at its Poissy plant from 1948 to 1954. Henri-Theodore Pigozzi of Simca agreed to purchase the factory at Poissy from Ford SAF (Ford Société Anonyme Française) in 1954. Ford also gave Simca a brand new version of the Vedette, which shared similarities with the German Ford Taunus P2 suggesting both cars had been designed in Dearborn. The Simca Vedette sold until 1961 with an enlarged 2,351cc flathead V8. The all new monocoque body sat on the same 106-inch wheelbase as before, but was only sold as a 4-door saloon until 1956 when the 5-door Marly Break joins the range. A 4-cylinder 1,290cc version is launched as the Simca Ariane after the Suez Crisis. For 1958 the body is restyled by Luigi Rapi with a longer tail, new grille and wraparound windows. Production continues until 1961, with 173,300 V8 Vedettes and 166,300 Arianes being sold.

aa Simca Vedette 1956 Regence badger

Simca Vedette 1956 Regence. The 'Regence' name was given to the highest trimmed model of the Vedette until the 'Chambord' replaced it in 1958

aa Simca Vedette 1960 Chambord badgec

Simca Vedette 1960 Chambord - badge on rear wing. The 'Chambord' replaced the 'Versailles' model and became the most expensive Vedette from 1958 to 1961

aa Simca Vedette 1960 Chambord badges

Simca Vedette 1960 Chambord - badge on bonnet

ac Simca Vedette 1956 Regence head

Simca Vedette 1956 Regence. Developed by Ford SAF the Vedette was sold by Simca with the Aquilon 2351cc flathead V8. This engine was a version of the American sidevalve V8 engine first used in 1932, albeit at a smaller capacity for French taxation.

Simca Vedette 1956 Regence frontl

Simca Vedette 1956 Regence. The Vedette was acquired by Simca when they purchased the Ford SAF factory at Poissy. 'Regence' was the highest trim level and came equipped with these spoked wheels

Simca Vedette 1956 Regence frontr

Simca Vedette 1956 Regence, powered by 2,351cc Ford V8 engine. Acquired at the time Simca bought the Ford SAF plant at Poissy in 1954, it is likely that the body was designed in Dearborn at the same time as the Ford Taunas P2.

Simca Vedette 1956 Regence rear

Simca Vedette 1956 Regence. The Americanesque body design is likely to have been designed in Dearborn. The 'Regence' model was given two tone paint and 'moonroof' glass sunroof. Rear wings got larger and longer in the 1958 restyle.

Simca Vedette 1960 Chambord front

Simca Vedette 1960 Chambord, sporting a 2,351cc V8 engine, this was produced from 1957 to 1961 as an upmarket Vedette.

Simca Vedette 1960 Chambord rear

Simca Vedette Chambord 1960. Simca revised the Vedette for 1958 making it 9-inches longer on the same wheelbase. Rear wings and wraparound windows were part of Luigi Rapi's restyle.

Ford Taunus 17M 1959 2-door front

Ford Taunus 17M 1959. Ford Germany introduced the Taunus P2 in 1957 with the 15M 4-cylinder engine enlarged to 1,698cc thus creating the Taunus 17M. The P2 was offered as 2-door and 4-door berlines, and a 3-door estate car or van. A cabriolet was built separately by coach-builders Karl Deutsch. In 1959 a minor restyle was given with a lower roof (just like the British Ford Consul). The Taunus P2 is very similar to the French Simca Vedette and it is likely the Dearborn design team worked on both.

Ford Vedette Pickup 1950 front

Ford Vedette Pickup 1950. Camionettes were not a common form of the Vedette, which sold more as a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe or convertible, and the 'Bee' a utility fastback saloon with two-piece opening hatch

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