Tell me about Simca Arondes...

[scruff]

Folk of AS,

 

I have the opportunity to acquire from a very good French friend a Simca - an Aronde 9 Châtelaine from the early fifties. I have admired them on visits for years but have finally convinced him to sell one. He has filled me in with some info but I wondered if anyone on here (Mr Bickle? Barrett?) has any experience of them. I have the choice of several, all pretty sound, but will need recommissioning as they have stood a while.

 

 

Continental collection thread coming soon...

[dollywobbler]

Oh wow! I have no experience other than to say YES! I've met a few Simca folk in this country and they seem a sound bunch. Some of them like putting silly engines in (mainly the rear engined ones).

[panhard65]

I had one a few years ago they are a nice little thing with just all the usual old car things to look out for. Parts are easily available in the UK from Dick Husband or from France. Not worth a lot of money though, when I sold mine there were few takers but it did end up with Michael Dezer in his museum in LA. Engines are a little fragile if not looked after and they do rot. Mine came from the south but still needed sills but compared to a British 50's car they are surprising value. I keep looking for a Intendante pick up version. The later Flash engine is slightly better but best to buy on body condition as mechanically they are easy to sort. Good luck.

Just checked it out and it isn't LA it was Miami. I think it is now on display if anyone goes there I would love a pic of it if it is still there. It had a fair history as I bought it from a lady racing driver.

[Junkman]

Not from the son of a banker?

[wuvvum]

I know Baz formerly of this parish had an Aronde - I'm not sure if he still drops in any more though.

[panhard65]

Not from the son of a banker?

Antonia Loysen. She races classic cars or did a few years ago

http://www.lemanscitroen.com/page14.html

[scruff]

GR11 info Panhard!! I am promised some up to date pics before I commit (it's a couple of years since I saw them) but I can see me going anyway.

[chaseracer]

^^^^^ AC Invacar in the background... 

[MarvinsMom]

i know absolutely now't about these, other than they are well cool looking!!

 

fabulous, just flippin' fabulous!!

[Uncle Jimmy]

Dreadful Italian fuckwittery masquerading as brie munch Frogsmeg. Yes, I read Larkin's turn in Classic car weekly couple of weeks back.

[Jon]

Nip over and get some bits from this one if you crave a RHD conversion!

 

[nigel bickle]

I've a late 50s Estate ( break) pulled over from Paris a few eons back.

 

Frankly it doesn't impress me much, the engine seems a bit frail, trashy, but the bodywork is solid, well built- if a little uninspiring.

 

They sit a lot, people don't tend to use them as they are a bit underpowered, and boring.

 

I think Gary Cox, of this an other Parishs, later 1300 had the same engine and when it popped ( despite a gentle recondition) he had eventually to travel back yo Frogland yo get a replacement, as the parts yo dirt his just weren't available.

 

But, make it pretty, treat it gently and you'll have a pleasant, understated classic. Just don't expect to make money on it!

[scruff]

Cheers Nigel. Money don't interest me one bit in this game, don't worry!! 

[nigel bickle]

Ok. Lot of bang for your buck thrn , as long as the running gear is good. They rust less than most frog jam jars, and it's all pretty simple to repair.

 

Motors the weak point, surprisingly.

 

Might encourage me to get mine Out!

[dugong]

I was going to post something along the lines of 'Mr. Bickle probably owns all of them' but then Nigel posted and I feel rubbish and basically I'm sorry for cluttering up the thread.

[nigel bickle]

Hey Jon, you Ok?

 

I've only 2 Simcas (this & the 1100 van) - don't rate thrm that highly, sadly.

 

Can't see either going on the road for several years yet - just not rare enough for me.

[dugong]

Aye, Nigel. Snowed under with work but it's 'interesting' graft if you see what I mean.

I'm along the South Coast this weekend; any chance of me popping in?

[Junkman]

Back in the 90s, five people including your's truly went on a holiday to Morocco with a P60 Montlhéry Spéciale with the 70 DIN PS Super Rush engine.

Based on this experience, there are a few things mentioned in this thread I am unable to agree with.

 

- It is not at all uninspiring. To the contrary, it is full to the brim with French charm and character. It is awash with little 50s details you never tire to look at.

- I understand that the Aronde was the very first small Simca completely void of any Fiat genes. This can be felt. It feels much more solid and refined than e. g. a Fiat 1100.

  Contrary to old Fiats, it also provides an acceptable seating position for the driver.

- Updated with radial tyres and gas shocks, it handled surprisingly well and gave a supple ride even on bad roads, despite the car was loaded to the max and even carried a roof rack.

- It just did its deed. It required no repairs or tinkering during the entire trip.

- However, it was a well maintained example to begin with. This includes properly adjusted valve lash, something it requires every 10,000km. If this is neglected,

  it loses a lot of power, starts to backfire during acceleration and doesn't idle well. The valves become too tight, not too lose, hence incorrect valve lash does not announce itself

  with rattling.

- Back then, parts supply was excellent. According to members of the Simca stand I spoke with at the Sam Glover OMGBARNFIND show last year, this hasn't changed.

- Since this trip to North Africa, I always kept the Aronde on my radar as a perfect second classic. I like to put it into the same drawer as an Opel Kadett in terms of simple no frills

  motoring and ease of ownership. It won't be surrounded by people at a classic car show, but if this is what you want, you need a '61 Imperial and join a different forum.

 

Would I buy one?

Yes, if the right car came along at the right price. People with me at the NEC show can confirm that I repeatedly nosed around a delightfully tatty P60 that was up for sale.

However, I prefer the later 1300/1500 or 1301/1501 models for looks, superior autoshiteness and altogether more challengingness.

[nigel bickle]

Words of wisdom thee, although I disagree with the Fiat 1100. I have 3.5 of these ( 1 d, 2.5 r) one in road right now, and they are a totally different vehicle. Size shape, aspect, attitude. Fiat is flimsier, smaller, feels more modern - to me.

 

Arunde feels like a lummoxk in comparison - to me. Son

 

Jon. You have pm. Welcome anytime.

[DSdriver]

Antonia Loysen. She races classic cars or did a few years ago

http://www.lemanscitroen.com/page14.html

Antonia was racing a white Traction Avant when I met her

[Junkman]

Words of wisdom thee, although I disagree with the Fiat 1100. I have 3.5 of these ( 1 d, 2.5 r) one in road right now, and they are a totally different vehicle. Size shape, aspect, attitude. Fiat is flimsier, smaller, feels more modern - to me.

 

Arunde feels like a lummoxk in comparison - to me. Son

 

That's exactly what I was trying to say.

Whereas the Simca 8 and Fiat 1100 were still the same cars, their successors, i.e. the Aronde and the Nuova Millecento went entirely different ways.

Hence the previous comments insinuating the Aronde having Italian genes are completely misleading - it has absolutely zero of them.

[nigel bickle]

Okey dokey. My mistake.

 

Soz