Get ready for a fun and quirky journey into the world of the Simca 1000, a car that might not be on everyone's radar, but it sure has a unique story to tell!
The Charming Simca 1000: A European Success Story
The Simca 1000, a little charmer, might not have made waves in America, but it certainly left its mark in Europe. And I'm not just talking about sales figures here; I'm referring to the fact that this car inspired a song, and not just any song, but a slightly risqué one at that!
The Simca's American Adventure
Did you know that the Simca 1000 made its way to the US? It was sold through Chrysler dealerships, as Simca was part of Chrysler's European ventures. It could have been a unique offering in the American market, mainly due to its compact size. However, its styling might have felt a bit too familiar, reminiscent of the iconic Corvair.
The Church of Corvair
You might recall the chart that compared various car designs to the Corvair. The Simca 1000, positioned third from the top, certainly shares some design cues with the Corvair. But let's delve into the Simca's presence in America and uncover our first silly find.
Silly Thing #1: The Two-Wheel Drive Stunt
In one of the early US brochures for the Simca 1000, there's a fascinating image. Most of the brochure is typical early '60s European design, showcasing sensible black-and-white photography and text about testing grounds. But then, there's this gem: a Simca driving on two wheels!
The visual is captivating, but the text reveals an even more impressive feat: someone drove the car like this for a whopping 60 miles! That's over an hour of driving on two wheels, making turns and navigating the road. Imagine the driver's position, sitting in the corner of the car, with most of their weight likely on the door.
What does this stunt even demonstrate? Is it meant to showcase the car's stability or perhaps its ability to handle tricky situations? Or was it just a fun way to grab attention in a sea of rational, straightforward car brochures?
Silly Thing #2: The Risqué Song
Now, prepare for a musical treat from a 1988 Spanish pop-rock band, Los Inhumanos. Their song, titled "It's so difficult to make love in a Simca 1000," is a playful take on the car's interior space. Here's a snippet of the translated lyrics:
"How difficult it is to make love in a Simca 1000...
The seat does not go back
and the position to be sought is difficult.
Put your leg here, I'll put it there, we'll have to
open the back door.
The steering wheel annoys me again...
When I'm rich, I'm going to buy
a bus to catch."
The song hints at the challenges of finding a comfortable position in the Simca's front seats. But hey, the car does have a back seat! Why not try that? It's a bench seat, after all, and with a bit of creativity, one can make it work.
The band might be referring to the Spanish-built version of the Simca, produced by Barreiros Diesel starting in 1965. This company also manufactured Dodge Darts, which have their own fascinating story.
So, there you have it - two silly, yet captivating, stories about the Simca 1000. I hope these tales brighten your day. If not, perhaps a chat with your favorite clergyman might do the trick!
And here's the controversial part: Is the Simca 1000's unique story enough to make it a cult classic, or is it just a quirky footnote in automotive history? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
