Simca 1301 and 1501: the facelifted big Simcas

The Simca 1301 and 1501 were the facelifted successors to the 1300 and 1500, announced in 1966 and built until 1975. They kept the same chassis and engines but gained longer front and rear ends, a new dashboard and, from 1968, a more powerful 1501 Special.

Simca 1301/1501 at a glance

This article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Simca 1301/1501.

History of the Simca 1301/1501

A facelift, not a new car

The 1301 and 1501 were the natural evolution of the 1300 and 1500, with which they shared engines and mechanical parts. They were previewed to the press on 31 August 1966 and announced to the public in October 1966, with the first deliveries at the end of that year and early in 1967. The chassis and general shape stayed the same, but both ends were restyled: the front grew by 69 mm and the rear of the saloons by 135 mm, so the new saloons were 210 mm longer than the cars they replaced. The estate bodies kept their original rear end. The saloons received horizontal rather than circular tail lights and a longer boot, and inside there was a new, straight horizontal instrument panel. Some small luxuries disappeared, such as the interior courtesy light, but Simca improved the seats and their upholstery.

Engines

At first the engines were carried over in updated form. The 1301 used the 1,290 cc Rush four with overhead valves and a single-barrel carburettor, giving 54 hp and 135 km/h. The 1501 had the Type 342 engine of the 1500, a 1,475 cc four with a single-barrel carburettor and 69 hp, for 147 km/h. In the autumn of 1968 the 1501 Special arrived with the Type 342S, a revised head and a twin-choke carburettor giving 81 hp and 160 km/h, along with a sporty steering wheel, power brakes and a higher final drive. From September 1969 every 1501 had the 81 hp engine, and the Special was distinguished only by its interior and equipment.

The range

At the start the range included 1301 and 1501 saloons in LS, GL and GLS trim, Break estates in LS and GLS and Familiale estates in LS only. In March 1967 a 1301U van joined the range: an estate with the rear side windows replaced by sheet metal, two seats and an empty load compartment. It attracted little interest as a commercial vehicle and was dropped in the autumn of 1968. The range was simplified at the same time: the 1301 kept LS and GL saloons and a single Break GL, while the 1501 lost the LS and GLS and kept the GL and the new Special, also available as an estate.

Later changes

In early 1970 the 1301’s Rush engine was replaced by the Type 345, a debored version of the Type 342 with 1,290 cc and 60 hp, while a 1301 Special with the twin-choke 342S and 70 hp was added. The LS was replaced by a plain 1301 in August 1970. Like the 1300 and 1500, the 1301 and 1501 carried a two-year warranty on engine, gearbox and suspension to attract buyers. The range was replaced by the Simca 1307 and 1308, which arrived in 1975.

Design and features

• Longer body: the facelift added 210 mm to the saloons, mostly in the nose and boot.
• New interior: a straight horizontal dashboard with round instruments, two for the 1301 and four for the 1501.
• 1501 Special: twin-choke carburettor, 81 hp and 160 km/h from 1968.
• Two-year warranty: offered on engine, gearbox and suspension to win customers.

Simca 1301/1501 versions

• 1301 (1966–1975): 1,290 cc Rush engine, 54 hp, later the 60 hp Type 345.
• 1501 (1966–1975): 1,475 cc Type 342, 69 hp, from 1969 the 81 hp 342S.
• 1501 Special (1968): twin carburettor, sporty steering wheel, power brakes.
• Break and Familiale: estates, the Familiale in a single LS trim.
• 1301U (1967–1968): a two-seat van version with blanked rear windows.

The 1301 and 1501 replaced the Simca 1300/1500 and were replaced by the Simca 1307/1308. The smaller Simca 1100 sat below them in the range. More cars are in the Simca collection.

Sources

• Simca 1301/1501, English Wikipedia: launch, body changes, engines, range, updates