Simca 1200S as a template for Skoda 110 R

The basis for the creation of the Simca 1200S coupe was the Simca 1000 model. However, in this case it was no longer about sporting qualities, but about the elegance of the external design. Soon this was appreciated by many business women who liked the ease of operation and the pleasant shape of the new product.


A much sportier version than its predecessor first appeared in 1968. Although it shared a body with the “1000th” model, it received a completely different front end. This was needed to move the radiator that was previously located at the rear. In addition, it was also supplemented with an electric fan.


At that time, the coachbuilding market was dominated by Italians. Therefore, other European manufacturers, dreaming of the best and most modern design of their models, invariably turned to specialists from the Apennine Peninsula for help. Simca 1200S did not escape this fate either.

The model bodies were also created in sunny Italy, on the basis of the famous Bertone body shop. They were subsequently loaded onto a train, on which they traveled from Grulhasc, near Turin, to Poissy (France). And already there the French equipped them with mechanics and equipment. Quite an expensive procedure, even from the point of view of that time. And today no one would dare do such a thing.

Perhaps only the Cadillac Allante had a more expensive production. Its bodies were manufactured by Pininfarina in Italy, and final assembly took place in Detroit, USA, where they were transported by air across the Atlantic.


Returning to the model in question, it is worth noting that the advertising of the Simca 1200S of those years clearly emphasized the French spirit of the car (despite the active participation of foreigners in its production). For this, the face of the model was chosen not just anyone, but the wife of Alain Delon himself, the beautiful actress Mireille Darc.

But indeed, the French collaborated with the Italians not only in the production of the car, but also in the development of its engine. Specifically with the Fiat concern, so the resulting unit is somewhat reminiscent of the early Fiat 850.

As a role model in Eastern Europe

Yet, more interesting from a geographical point of view is another collaboration that awaited the car a few years later. As you know, Western European manufacturers have always been one step ahead of their Eastern colleagues. Therefore, licensed releases, imitation or outright plagiarism very often happened in the socialist environment. This cup did not bypass the SIM card either.



If one stylish car with excellent driving performance was intended for a specific intended use, then the other was clearly cheated. So the conditional No. 1 very soon entered sports competitions under the flag of the Chemopetrol Litvinov team. But his colleague remained in Kvasiny, under careful engineering examination.

The goal was clear and unambiguous: Czechoslovak designers needed source material to create their own new product. And it was found in the form of a French sports coupe. The fact that a successful example was chosen, and the local specialists themselves did a great job, was perfectly confirmed by the future history of the Skoda 110 R coupe.

It’s worth mentioning right away that despite more than half a century of history, both cars that ended up in Czechoslovakia are still in working order today. However, this was not always the case, and for the latter there is special gratitude and merit to the tireless enthusiasts.


After all, as for the factory Simca 1200S, Skoda specialists carefully worked with it for five years, studying its structure and technical features. At the same time, tests and test operation of the car took place.

Interestingly, already in 1973, the Czechoslovak manufacturer (having received everything necessary from the source) easily parted with it, selling it to private hands as a “used test sample.” The first lucky owner towed it to the small town of Tyniec nad Labem. After that, on average every 3-4 years the car regularly changed its registration.

Who in the times of socialism could covet a stylish Western model? Of course, representatives of the “golden youth”. After all, even a well-worn Simca 1200S, like everything that came from the West, was quite expensive.


Often young guys, having driven to their heart's content, settled down, started a family and sold the odious car to new owners. Having examined this interesting page in the history of the model, let's return directly to its technical characteristics, which so interested the engineers from the Eastern Bloc.

The technical side of the model

It is clear that for its time the car had many advanced ideas and characteristics. It’s not for nothing that he was chosen to emulate a model who herself had an excellent story. Perhaps even surpassing the original version in popularity.

And yet, even from today’s “bell tower” one can judge the excellent dynamics of the car. The unit spins up willingly, which does not correspond well to the central distribution of the shafts. After all, the latter, in general, is characterized by large inertial masses. Nevertheless, time takes its toll, and for a contemporary, a car from the late 60s will most likely seem too noisy. And this is with the following characteristics:

✅ inline four-cylinder engine
✅ installation – longitudinally behind the rear axle
✅ overhead valve cylinder arrangement
✅ working volume - 1204 cubic meters. cm
✅ power - 82 liters. s (60 kW)

In 1970, Simca 1200S was modernized. Although the rigid suspension and short stroke, traditional for those years, have been preserved, a number of useful updates and improvements have appeared, including:

✅ new steering wheel
✅ orange direction indicators on the body
✅ other tail lights
✅ power also increased to 85 hp. With

It's worth mentioning that the crankshaft rotates to the left here. But most engines rotate clockwise. The exception is, for example, some Honda engines produced in the 80s or 90s. A pair of dual Solex 35 PHH 5 carburetors are responsible for preparing the igniting mixture. And now is the time to mention the physical parameters of the car and its speed characteristics:

✅ length - 4 m
✅ width - 1,52 m
✅ height - 1,27 m
✅ wheelbase - 2232 mm
✅ maximum speed - 178 km / h
✅ acceleration to 100 km/h in 11,8 seconds

Also, the fuel consumption of the Simca 1200S ranged from 8,7 to 13,5 l/100 km (depending on the driving cycle), and the curb weight was only 890 kg. However, this is not surprising for a car with a sporty character, as is its height, which does not exceed 1,3 meters.


The production of this French model turned out to be quite short. The Simca 1200S remained on the assembly line for only four years, during which time 14 copies of the car were assembled. Not surprisingly, it is quite rare today, and when killed it can be worth approx. 741 thousand dollars. However, after thorough repair work, the price of the 6S usually rises to more than 1200 thousand.