1951 – Simca 8 Sport Convertible 

French vehicle registration document 

Correction: Lot sold by description; to be collected in the Toulouse area after the sale; front brakes seized.

Sold without an MOT

Remained in the same family from 1951 to 2008, preserved in its strictly original condition.

In the aftermath of the war, small, popular models were welcomed as a means of getting France back on the road. Competition was fierce and, to stand out from the crowd, Simca sought to move upmarket and offer more luxurious cars. Impressed by the proposal from Stabilimenti Farina – which had produced a very elegant and sleek coupé based on the Fiat 1100 S chassis (identical to that of the Simca 8) – the chairman of Simca France, Henri Théodore Pigozzi, commissioned a model and presented it in 1948 at the Paris Motor Show under the name Simca 8 Sport.

Wishing to produce a series of cars based on this prototype, he purchased the rights from Farina. The coachbuilder Facel Métallon, later the manufacturer of the Facel Véga, was commissioned to produce the bodywork and assemble the car on a Simca 8 chassis. Production began in March 1949, and two versions – a coupé and a convertible – were available.

Pre-production models were entered in the Monte Carlo Rally in January 1950 and achieved a respectable result, finishing 4th and 5th overall. Under the bonnet, the Simca 8’s 1,200 cm³ engine was tuned to 50 ch thanks to an increased compression ratio, the addition of larger intake valves and a different timing setting. As well as its top speed of 135 km/h, the Simca 8 Sport stood out from the competition thanks to its elegant styling, and it also enjoyed great success in concours d’élégance events. Production ceased in April 1952, making way for the Simca 9 Sport, which utilised the mechanics and platform of the Simca Aronde, but featured an entirely new body. In total, 5,165 Simca 8 Sports were produced across all versions.

Our example was purchased in 1951 by Charles Niepce, a Simca dealer in Chalon-sur-Saône. Registered in Paris and then in the Paris region from 1956 onwards, our convertible was kept at the Château de la Mormaire in the Yvelines. Its owner used it at the time to travel to the village a few kilometres away. His nephew, Yves Niepce, inherited the car in 1984 and kept it until 2008, whilst he was deputy managing director of Charles Pozzi Automobiles. It was subsequently acquired by an enthusiast from Alsace who was captivated by its remarkably well-preserved condition and by memories of the Dinky Toys he had owned as a boy.

Its current owner acquired it in 2020. The car is now presented in its strictly original condition, having never been restored; it retains its black cellulose paintwork and its beige leather interior. The dashboard is complete with its original buttons and steering wheel. The period soft top and soft-top cover are present, although it should be noted that the cover was damaged during the last transport. Whilst roadworthy at the time of purchase, some mechanical work will be required to get it back on the road.  With its impeccable history, its moving state of preservation and its superb lines, this car deserves the attention of collectors seeking authenticity.