1978 Matra-Simca Rancho

Hi all,

My collection of peculiar old cars seems to be expanding at an alarming rate This particular example is one of 6 such cars originally imported to Finland. I doubt if any other of them is still on the road... It has spent most of it's life in a city near me, had only 2 owners until 2010.


As you might know, the car is based on the Simca 1100, but with a complete rework from the windshield towards the back. The outer skin is fibreglass and the construction paved the way for a later Matra development, the Renault Espace.


The drivetrain is the standard Simca type 315 engine which carried on in some Peugeot models until the 90's. The interior feels very spacious, but the trim quality easily tells that this was a car which was meant to be produced in small quantities only.


This very car was situated only a couple blocks from my home while I was a little kid. I remember admiring its unusual style and maybe those memories play a part in me getting it now while there was a chance.


The car has had a respray a couple of years ago and there has also been some welding going on in the past. Not to the highest standard, but should do its job nicely. The most recent PO didn't know too much about cars so I guess a proper service and tune-up is in ored as soon as I can spare the time. Looking at this picture, I just discovered that the mudflaps read both SIMCA and TALBOT... It was marketed under both brands but this example being a 1978 model still puts it under the pentastar Simca brand. Thanks for looking!