Simca 1301/1501

Simca 1301/1501
Overview
Manufacturer	Simca
Production	1966–1975
Body and chassis
Class	Large family car (D)
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door estate
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	1.3 L Rush ohv I4 1.5 L ohv I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	99 in (2,500 mm)
Length	175.5 in (4,460 mm) 1301 / 1501 saloon 169.5 in (4,310 mm) 1301 / 1501 estate
Width	62 in (1,600 mm)
Height	55 in (1,400 mm) unladen
Chronology
Predecessor	Simca 1300/1500
Successor	Simca 1307

The 1301 and 1501 were two cars that were in medium-high production from 1966 to 1975 by the French Automaker Simca.

History and Profile

The Simca 1301 and 1501 were first presented in October 1966, and a preview presentation to the press took place on August 31 of that year. The 1301 and the 1501 were the natural evolution of the previous 1300 and 1500 models with which they shared engines and mechanical parts.

Features

Compared to the two predecessors, the 1301 and 1501 kept the same stylistic approach, even if made decidedly more modern: they were then characterized by the same car body notchback and four doors. The most obvious differences were in the front and rear overhangs: the snout was longer by 6.9 cm, while the tail was elongated as well by 13.5 cm in order to allow a greater load capacity. The result was that 1301 and 1501 were longer by 21 cm compared to 1300 and 1500. Other differences were both in the front, where it was given a new grille and redesigned slightly in the side, and the previous circular spotlights gave way to two rectangular headlights. Differences stand out in the cockpit instrument panel with a new horizontal and straight design. Despite the disappearance of some "goodies" such as the courtesy light inside, they did improve the overall quality and comfort of the seats and their upholstery.

Even the engines used were the same of the 1300/1500 models, although in part had been revised in some parts. The 1301 was equipped with a 4-cylinder Rush 1290 cc with overhead valve, powered carburetor single body capable of delivering 54 hp DIN (equivalent to 62 hp SAE declared in 1300) and launching the car to a 135 km/h top speed Max. Similarly, the Simca 1501 was equipped by the same engine 2N2 of the previous Simca 1500, a 4-cylinder 1475 cc carburetor feuled double body and capable of delivering 81 hp DIN of power maximum. The maximum speed was improved slightly, reaching 160 km/h.

Range and preparations

At the start of production, the range 1301/1501 was composed as follows:

• 1301 and 1501, with the trim levels LS, GL and GLS;
• 1301 Break and 1501 Break, with the trim levels LS and GLS;
• 1301 Familiale and 1501 Familiale, with only one trim level, LS;

Evolution

1973 Simca 1501 Break

The first deliveries began in late 1966 and early 1967: in March, the range was completed with the arrival of the 1301U, an unprecedented version van with the rear windows replaced by sheet metal and only two seats, while the rear part of the passenger compartment has been completely emptied to make it a load compartment.

As for the 1300 and the 1500, the new 1301 and 1501 was applied to the two-year warranty on engine, gearbox and suspension. This was done in order to attract new customers and establish the commercial success of the two models. Unfortunately, the shadow of Chrysler ended up covering the traditional methods of Simca and went to be a problem for the development of subsequent projects of the French House.

In autumn 1968 the range was revised and simplified: the Sedan 1301 LS and GL remained on the list, while the 1301 Break and Familiale were merged into a single model, the 1301 GL. As for the 1501, the LS e GLS were canceled, leaving in the existing list only the GL and the new 1501 Special, which was also available as station wagon. The 1501 Special was equippedwith the same engine as the other 1501, but revised to deliver 81 hp DIN (95 SAE hp) of maximum power, and 160 km/h top speed. Another feature of the Special was the lengthened rear axle ratio. This version was mounted was brake assist and a sporty steering wheel. Also disappeared from the range, the 1301 U, which received little interest.

In September 1969, for the 1501 there was another rather obvious redesign, especially in the front, where it found a place completely redesigned grille and headlights which incorporated a pair of foglights on either side. The 1301, however, remained visually unchanged. Internally, for the whole range there was a new dashboard and a new instrument panel with round elements (two for the 1301 and four for 1501), but also a spot for a radio. Another significant innovation inherent in the cockpit concerned the use of fabrics and tints that were coordinated and harmonized. Mechanically, all the 1501 trims benefited from the 342S engine with 81 hp, which had until then only equipped the Special. The latter then differed from the other trims only in in the interior and equipment.

In early 1970, The car saw its Rush engine replaced by the more modern engine Type 345: with the displacement of 1290 cc, this engine was proposed in the standard version (with power of 60 hp) or S. In the latter configuration, called 345S, the power grew to 70 hp, for a motor that went to equip the 1301 Special, i.e. the only real news regarding the 1301 range since its debut. Other improvements helped to increase the reliability, while lowering power consumption. The 60 hp 1.3 engine went to equip the only other 1301 sedan remained, namely the LS. The latter remained in the list until August, only to be replaced by 1301, without additional acronyms. In practice, in September 1970, the range was as follows:

• 1301, with the 1.3 litre, 60 hp engine;
• 1301 Special, with the 1.3 litre, 70 hp engine;
• 1301 Break Special, with the 1.3 litre, 70 hp engine;
• 1501 Break Special, with the 1.3 litre, 81 hp engine.

Note the disappearance of sedans in 1501, commissioned by Chrysler (which already held a 95% stake in the Simca) to not hinder the commercial career of the Type 160. A lot of copies of 1501 with sedan bodywork continued to be produced for a bit of time for some foreign markets and marketed as 1501 GLE, where the E was for export.

In 1971, the new grille was also adopted by the 1301. This was part of a rationalization program wanted by Chrysler Europe, which aimed to standardize as much as possible Simca models, to reduce costs and check the best possible profits. Also in 1971 came the outside rearview mirror and a new steering wheel with horn cup concentric. Among the new options of more details, the vinyl roof should be mentioned, which emphasized the elegance of the car. In the same year, however, the 1301 base and the 1501 Break left the list at which point the range resulted composed solely and exclusively of the 1301 Spécial in sedan and Break'.

In 1972 there were only updates to the detail of the range for the 1301, aimed essentially to the interior (cigarette lighter, rear-view antiglare, better internal soundproofing, etc.) and mechanics (reinforced gearbox, rear brakes, etc.).

In 1973, however, there were more substantial and in some ways even interesting changes: the lack of success encountered by the Type 160 pushed the leaders of Chrysler to resume production of the 1501, then returned to the list as the Special (and always in two body variants), but with its engine detuned to 73 hp. For its part, the 1301, not to stand too close to the "big sister", deprived itself of some horsepower and went from 70 to 67 hp. The weakening of the models, however, was mainly to decrease fuel consumption, given the oil crisis erupted in that year and brought down the intentions (and models) of many car manufacturers.

The only notable update for 1974 was the introduction of the entire range of the taillights, which become obligatory from September of that year. There was also another, but much less visible: in 1501 the power down to 71 hp.

In 1975 Simca presented the 1307, 1308 and 1309: in July the 1301 production was stopped, it was followed in September by the 1501, but the range still resisted enough to face its last Paris Motor Show. In January of 1976 the Break also disappeared from the list, while the last examples, in both body configurations, were disposed of by the first half of the following year.

Summary characteristics

The following summarizes the characteristics of the various versions of the range of 1301/1501:

References

• Les Simca 1300-1500 et 1301/1501, Christian Cazé, ETAI
• Simca - L'aventure de l'hirondelle, Adrien Cahuzac, ETAI

External links

• French page dedicated to limited release in 1301 Export
• English site dedicated to the 1300, 1301, 1500 and 1501