SIMCA 1000/1200

In its desire to create a sporting version of the 1000, Simca turned to Bertone – and chief stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro – to fashion this chic coupé’s outline. Under the skin, changes from the 1000 saloon were limited to the adoption of all-round disc brakes, with the donor car’s robust 944cc engine/gearbox package being carried straight over. The model was upgraded to 1200S specification in 1967, by now packing an 80bhp 1204cc engine. This pert device achieved little in the way of success outside of its homeland, due largely to its maker’s near total lack of promotion.