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Return to Matt's SIMCA Page
Go Forward to SIMCA ARONDE P60 1959 - 1964
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Simca History - The Aronde: 1951 - 1959
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At the beginning of the summer, 1948, the new SIMCA study took on the dossier number “1200X”. There was plenty of reconstruction and expansion money available throughout Europe, thanks to the Marshall Plan. The study was headed up by Roger Vast, who was the project leader, Duchard, a chassis engineer and René Dumas, a stylist.
On 31 May 1951, the new car which Pigozzi had dreamed of was ready, and it was entirely French, SIMCA building it with complete autonomy from FIAT. The SIMCA 9 ARONDE made it’s world premiere. The French word, Aronde, means Swallow (the bird). It was a much needed car at the time – 7CV, good performance and not a single element of FIAT within! “Totally French, the ARONDE represents the very first “national” SIMCA”. In the spring of 1951, the SIMCA-Neuf (9) appeared, with 4-cylinders of 1221 cc, with a gorgeous body with four doors, of a modern and pleasant line. The denomination chosen for this car was " Aronde ". With 45 hp, the Aronde was able to reach 81 mph (130 km/h) and ensured spirited performance and sure control. The success of the new model was immediate and its production reached 100 000 units per year quickly (115 646 in 1955). In addition to being fast, brilliant and convenient, the Aronde showed itself also to be extremely robust and efficient. In April '51, the first SIMCA Aronde came off the production line at Nanterre, a town of 40,000 just outside of Paris. The Aronde was produced from 1951 through 1960, when it was totally replaced by the 1959 P60. The Aronde was the first, uniquely SIMCA car, previous cars had all been built under license from FIAT, remember, the 6 and 8 were little more than evolutions of the FIAT 500 and 1100. The Aronde, officially introduced as the Type 9, found its name from the antiquated and poetic form of the French word d'hirondelle, symbol of the graceful swallow. Its modern lines were quite competitive with the Peugeot 203, its natural rival, which it outsold within 4 years. The Aronde sales success catapulted SIMCA into the position of the number one privately owned vehicle manufacturer in France (and second to the State owned Regie Renault). Sales were also elevated due to the broad palette of colors and upholstery offered, as well as unique accessories and the publicity surrounding its record setting 100,000 kilometers (62,500 miles) covered at 104 km/h (65 mph) at Montlhery. SIMCA developed several utility models (flat bed truck, canvas covered truck and delivery wagon) as well as touring models (coupe, coupe and convertible with Facel bodywork and well equipped wagon). The evolutions included several different grilles; the original, the moustache of 1954 and the updated moustache of 1956. The original 45hp, 1221cc motor became the 48hp, 1290cc Flash motor in 1955 and the 52hp Rush motor of 1960. Fourteen inch wheels were introduced in 1955. 1,014,355 were produced from 1951 through 1960, when it was completely replaced by the Aronde P60. In 1951, Pigozzi acquired the operations of Talbot, Unic, which manufactured trucks and busses and of Someca, which produced farm tractors.
Henri Pigozzi imposed frequent facelifts to the ARONDE (to the detriment of the mechanical updates) to please American customers. The ARONDE received three completely new chassis between 1951 and 1964, and during the period, sold over 1,400,000!
The new 1952 SIMCA Aronde became available for $1895 from Hoffman Motor Car Co at 487 Park Ave in NYC or from International Motors, Inc on Sunset or Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles. The success of the Aronde had led to the abandonment of the old models, and in 1952 the entire factory was devoted to the construction of the new car.
In 1953, a strictly stock SIMCA specimen, taken randomly from a stock of cars awaiting delivery, traveled without interruption on the track of Montlhéry for forty days and forty nights, covering 62,500 miles (100000 km) with an average speed higher than 62 mph (100 km/h). This year, the Aronde received a new, round-edged grille “moustache”, the front bumper overriders were enlarged, the front blinkers were repositioned and the, les feux arrière deviennent monobloc en plastique.
The combined production of all 1954 passenger cars made SIMCA the second largest in France, with 25% of total volume (behind Renault, but ahead of Citroen). The Aronde received its new "moustache" grille. This year, another endurance exploit was achieved by another Aronde in the streets of Paris: 62,500 miles (100 000 km) without the least trouble. At the end of 1954, fourteen-inch wheels were introduced on the ARONDE.
In 1955, SIMCA production totaled 150,000 vehicles, of which the Aronde accounted for 115,646. The new, 48hp, 1290cc Flash motor was introduced (replacing the 1221cc motor). In Septembre 1955, the Océane and the Plein Ciel were introduced with the new FLASH motor.
As dealers became more numerous, it is worth noting that SIMCA sales ran second only to Volkswagen in the vital and lucrative California market. The Aronde received its new, updated "moustache" grille.
In July 1956, Egypt's leader, Colonel Nassar nationalized the Suez Canal and for the next 15 years European automakers had a big problem. Henri Theodore Pigozzi began to think of what was needed: a small car, lighter than the Aronde, as a new line of SIMCAs, but not to conflict with the SIMCA 6 (Aronde).
By 1957, SIMCA had taken over its own United States distribution at 445 Park Avenue. The success of the Aronde continued when, by the end of 1957, over 538,000 SIMCA Aronde's had come off the production line at Nanterre. The Aronde had quickly become a bigger sales success than its competition, the Peugeot 203. It held endurance records, had its motor modified, received frequent freshening ups, great publicity, super dynamics and the charisma of its President Director General, Pigozzi. But, it was time for SIMCA to do something. After 6 years, and the relative sales failure of the recently semi-rejuvenated Oceane, the Aronde was showing its age. The SIMCA Aronde established a new world record by travelling 62,137 miles, approximately 2 1/2 times around the world, in less than 37 days, averaging 70.02 mph, at Montlhery, France. On 19 Dec 57, an Aronde began its trip that set a new trans American speed record. The SIMCA made it from New York to Los Angeles in 46 hours and 3 minutes. The previous record of 47 hours, 37 minutes was held by a V8 powered American car.
SIMCA’s remarkable ascension did not escape the notice of the 3rd largest automobile group in the world, and with regard to the management and the vicissitudes of the company, in August 1958, Chrysler acquired 15% of the actions and capital of SIMCA. By December, all North American sales were handled through the Chrysler Corporation and parts were distributed through MOPAR. Chrysler Australia assembled a "De Luxe Saloon" version of the ARONDE and P60 from 1958 to 1964, however the odd Elysee and Montlhery were also imported from France.
On 30 August 1958, the new ARONDE P60 was introduced to the press and production began.
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ARONDE Models 1951 - 1959
ARTISANALE-1959-1960, 3 door utility
CHATELAINE-1954-62, 3 door wagon
COMMERCIALE-1953-59,3 door delivery
SPORT COUPE "9"-1952-54, 2 door coupe
COUPE DE VILLE -1955-56, 2 door hardtop
DE LUXE-1956-58, 4 door
DE LUXE OUTRE -MER-1960, 4 door
DE LUXE 6-1958-60, 4 door
ELYSEE-1956-63,4 door
ELYSEE MATIGNON-1956, 4 door two-tone
GRAND LARGE-1954, 2 door hardtop (3 piece rear window)
GRAND LARGE-1956-59 (1 piece rear window)
GRAND LARGE SPECIAL-1957, 2 door hardtop
INTENDANTE-1956-62, 2 door semi-delivery van
LUXE-1954-55,4 door
MESSAGERE-1953-62, 2 door pick-up
MONTLHERY ( SPECIALE 1962)-1957-61,4 door
OCEANE-1957-59, 2 door convertible
PLEIN CIEL-1957-59, 2 door coupé
QUOTIDIENNE-1953-55, base 4 door
RUE DE LA PAIX-1955-58, 2 door special hardtop
SEDAN- 1953-1958, 4 door sedan
SPORT COUPE "9"- 1952-1954, 2 door coupe
SUPER DELUXE-1959, 4 door
TRUCKETTE- 1953-1955, 2 door pick-up
WEEK-END-1955-56, 2 door convertible
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Annual Production
1951 21.932
1952 69.028
1953 61,567
1954 92,432
1955 115,646
1956 133,105
1957 138,064
1958 143,542
1959 194,553
1960 175,384
1961 164,297
1962 84,236
1963 31,522
1964 21
TOTAL 1,425,329
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