SIMCA 1200S Coupe

[scmick]

A wet Bank Holiday Monday and I was rained off working on 'improvements' after Santa Pod to my Honda/SIMCA 1000 and my FIAT 133 outside so I started digging the rust out of a SIMCA 1200S Bertone Coupe I've had for years in the garage.... and, yes..there is something left after all the rust 'mining'...!!!
The 1200S was built by Italian coachbuilder Bertone on the SIMCA 1000 floorpan and always was a rarity in the UK as they cost twice as much as a top of the range 1000 saloon. Power came from a 1204cc on twin Solex 35PHH carbs with a lively (for the time) 85bhp. My '67 F reg car is one of just 6 right hand drive cars built and hasn't been on the road since 1977. In those 10 years of use, sills and wheel arches managed to rust pretty comprehensively, but a bonus is, the engine seems fine at just 50,000 miles and we've had it running.
Plan is to restore it reasonably standard but I'll upgrade the front end to the later rack & pinion steering and its crying out for some better wheels & rubber.
I've also got a LHD 'spares' car which will supply loads os hard to find bits. I'm hoping there's enough left of it when the other's finished to make a wild trackday creation... maybe with Honda power.. sort of a 'poor man's' version of Hans Exner's spectacular 1200S that can be seen on various websites.
I've some photos, I'll work on posting them on here in the next few days.
Mick

[Renrut]

I've some photos, I'll work on posting them on here in the next few days.
Mick

I'm looking forward to this build.

[scmick]

Photos show both cars. Silver one may look tidier but is rustier.[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/67190394@N03/7065511767/"%20title="100_2094%20by%20msimc,%20on%20Flickr"><img%20src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5349/7065511767_c39d4b6855.jpg"%20width="500"%20height="375"%20alt="100_2094"></a>[/img]

[scmick]

Looks like I've messed up again trying to post the Photos... I'll get there eventually...!!
Mick

[Renrut]

's ok. Here's the linky to the album:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67190394@N03/7065511767

Not used Flickr myself and can't spot the direct image linky thing.

It looks erm. Rusty. But from the other shots it looks quite cool in a hidden in junk way.

Just seen there are photos of the Honda engine swap too. Its late now though so I'll have a proper look over them tomorrow with a brew.

[mjslonergan]

Have not even seen a pic of one of those in a long time, if you squint on a rainy day without your glasses, they are nearly a Dino
As a matter of interest, what is the white pick-up looky thing in the background of one of your pics?

[scmick]

The pickup in the background is another variety of SIMCA, to be exact it's a Talbot as post '79 the range was rebadged by new owner Peugeot.
It is a rare survivor of the factory pickup version of the old front wheel drive SIMCA 1100. Mine 1s an '84 model from the last few months production. It's currently having some rust dealt with and I've found some new panels to finish it off. The 1100 pickup actually provided the platform for the Talbot-MATRA Rancho SUV...remember those??? Unfortunately on the Rancho all the rusting took place unseen under the fibreglass cladding...!!!
A bit on my 1100 pickup is in the 'Commercial Travellers' section of the current Spring issue of Practical Classics mag.
When it's on the road it's really useful even with just 1118cc and 50bhp. It carries a decent load when needed and has even towed the small caravan in one of the shots.
Will see if I can post a decent picture of it....
Mick

[scmick]

Have added my SIMCA/Talbot 1100 pickup to photos on previous flickr link.
Mick

[tooSavvy]

When I passed my test ['75] - had a proper woodie for a Metallic Blue 1100 Pickup

Finances decreed a Moggie1000 Yellow postoffice van :<)

..... Ah! What might have been

Hmm... no Metallic Blue in this piccie. MY brochure not apparently on thewebbie


tooSavvy

[mjslonergan]

Picked up the advertising for a Matra Rancho at the Irish Motor Show think it was '78, so they can't have been out long, it adorned my bedroom wall for a long time, no Lambo for me as a lad, I was always strange...

[scmick]

On the 1200S Coupe have now cut the rust out of the nearside footwell, inner and outer sills and lower rear wheelarch that connects to the rear chassis leg. Spent ages digging the mountains of soundproofing/underfelt out of the floor area before I start welding. They seem to have gone over the top with it, probably to try to kid the buyer back in the 60's (who'd paid way over the odds for the coupe) that it wasn't made from the same paper thin metal as the 1000 saloon. Have added a couple more photos to previous flickr link.
Have now made cardboard templates for all repair sections and have transfered them to sheet steel ready for welding. Hoping the rust on the other side goes no further than the same sort of areas, then I can use the same 'patterns' turned back to front. May remove engine/box & rear subframe so I can get the back end right up in the air which will make the welding kinder on the old back..!!
Mick

[scmick]

Currently stripping parts off my 'spares' LHD car for the 1200S I'm rebuilding. Engine was seized when I got this one. We managed to free it and I fitted it to the FIAT 133. Those who saw the 133's efforts at Santa Pod recently will have realised I needn't have bothered. Thought I'd include the photo of the space left in the rear end of the 1200S...just crying out for something better. It will probably be a Honda motor, this time with all the Honda electronics (as the loom in the coupe is burnt out anyway)...although it's tempting to see if the inline 5 speed gearbox from its neighbour in my 'junkyard'...a MK 2 Renault Espace will fit with the crown wheel flipped over a la Alpine. Then I'm not restricted to anti clockwise engines for transplants. The Renault 8v 2 litre in the Espace is already earmarked for my long suffering towcar and they're not 'ball of fire' anyway.... ideas????
Mick

[scmick]

1200S is source of bits for my otherand then a track 'creation' maybe with help from bits of its neighbour which now serves as a useful 'shed'.... mick

[scmick]

The inspiration behind the build of my LHD 1200S coupe... German SIMCA specialist Hans Exner's racer. Down to 750Kg with a 1.3 SIMCA motor taken as far as possible on a Hewland gearbox....
Mine will be a 'budget' effort in sort of the same spirit... using Honda power for cheapness & reliability along with various bits of fibreglass and ally to cure some of its 'tinworm' and save weight.
Mick

[tooSavvy]

The inspiration behind the build of my LHD 1200S coupe... German SIMCA specialist Hans Exner's racer. Down to 750Kg with a 1.3 SIMCA motor taken as far as possible on a Hewland gearbox....
Mine will be a 'budget' effort in sort of the same spirit... using Honda power for cheapness & reliability along with various bits of fibreglass and ally to cure some of its 'tinworm' and save weight.
Mick

... I think a time is coming for the 'S*Xwax' & Body Moulds to be taken...

1 tea tray floor + Honda wizzo + eggshell carapace = CroozMizzle FTW

Keep it Up, M8

tooSavvy