Simca Vedette

Simca Vedette
A 1956 Simca Versailles V8
Overview
ManufacturerSimca
Also calledFord Vedette
Production
  • 1954–1961 (France)
  • 1959–1966 (Brazil)
AssemblyPoissy, France
São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
Adelaide, Australia
Body and chassis
ClassExecutive car (E)[1][2]
Body style4-door saloon
5-door estate
2-door convertible
4-door convertible
LayoutFR layout
RelatedFord Vedette
Simca Ariane
Simca Esplanada
Powertrain
Engine2.4 L Aquillon V8
Transmission3-speed manual
Rush-Matic automatic[3]
Chronology
PredecessorFord Vedette
SuccessorChrysler 160, 180, and 2 Litre

The Simca Vedette is an executive car, manufactured from 1954 to 1961 by French automaker Simca, at their factory in Poissy, France. The Vedette competed in France's large car market at a time when the economy was finally returning to growth and enjoyed moderate success with its American style finished off by the Italian designer Rapi. It was marketed with different model names according to trim and equipment levels. The Vedette was Simca's largest model at that time, and it went on to spawn a more economical version, the Simca Ariane.

Simca acquired the Poissy factory from Ford France (Ford Société Anonyme Française, the French subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company), along with the model line, in 1954. The Vedette was therefore initially still marketed as the Ford Vedette.

The Vedette was manufactured in Poissy until 1961 and the Ariane until 1963. After that, production continued in Brazil until 1966, when the Vedette finally evolved into the Simca Esplanada[4] following Simca's takeover by Chrysler.

  1. ^ "Simca Vedette 1st genaration specifications: versions & types". www.automobile-catalog.com.
  2. ^ "Simca Vedette 2nd genaration specifications: versions & types". www.automobile-catalog.com.
  3. ^ Bellu, René. Toutes les Simca. Le Conquet: Studio Gernot. (published and distributed privately, no ISBN)
  4. ^ "Les SIMCA Vedette" [The Simca Vedettes]. Club Simca France (in French). Archived from the original on 2007-03-27.