The Simca 9 was a French sports coupé that appeared in June 1952 and was built until 1954. A development of the Simca 8, it used the mechanical parts of the Simca Aronde with a more powerful engine and was built by Facel-Métallon at Colombes.
Simca 9 at a glance
| Production | June 1952–1954 |
|---|---|
| Coachbuilder | Facel-Métallon, Colombes |
| Bodies | two-door coupé, unibody; a small number of convertibles on the earlier 8 Sport chassis |
| Engine | four-cylinder, 50 CV (37 kW) |
| Based on | Simca Aronde mechanics, Simca 8 Sport running gear |
| 1953 model | all-new, curvier body with more glazing |
| 1954 model | redesigned hubcaps with a stylised “S” |
| Renamed | Simca Coupé de Ville in 1955 |
| Replacement | none direct; the name retired in September 1954 |
This article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Simca 9.
History of the Simca 9
From the Simca 8
The Simca 9 was a development of the Simca 8. It differed by being lengthened slightly between the rear edge of the door and the bulge of the rear wing, which provided more interior room. More important was that the 9 Sport used a unibody design: that meant it could not be offered as a convertible, although a small number of 9 Sport convertibles were built using the chassis of the earlier 8 Sport. The mechanical parts were the same as the Simca Aronde’s, but the engine was upgraded from 45 to 50 CV, and the running gear followed the Simca 8 Sport with the same engine at a higher compression ratio.
Building it
The car was built by Facel-Métallon at Colombes. For the 1953 model year, from September 1952, it received all-new bodywork, curvier and with more glazing, again in steel of Facel’s manufacture. It was heavier than the Aronde saloon on which the expensive Sport was based, and therefore no faster. For 1954 the only change was a set of redesigned hubcaps with a stylised “S”.
The end of the name
The 9 Sport name was retired in September 1954. In 1955 the car was renamed the Simca Coupé de Ville, with the same bodywork and full equipment, and with the sporting side of its character played down. A single convertible prototype had been built during the model’s life.
Design and features
- Unibody coupé: a modern unitary construction, unusual for a small-series French sports car of the time.
- Aronde mechanics: familiar running gear with the engine tuned from 45 to 50 CV.
- Facel bodywork: steel bodies built by Facel-Métallon at Colombes.
- More room: a slightly longer body than the Simca 8 gave more space inside.
Simca 9 versions
- 9 Sport (1952): the original coupé with the first body.
- 1953 model: new, curvier body with more glazing.
- 1954 model: hubcaps with a stylised “S”.
- Convertibles: a small number built on the earlier Simca 8 Sport chassis.
- Coupé de Ville (1955): the same body under a new, less sporting name.
The Simca 9 was developed from the Simca 8 and used the mechanics of the Simca Aronde. More cars are in the Simca collection.
Sources
- Simca 9, English Wikipedia: development, bodywork, engine, production, renaming
