Discover live auctionsDiscover exciting Classic Trader live auctions

Description

SIMCA (FIAT) 8 SPORT 1200 SPECIAL COUPÉ – 1951

MAKE: SIMCA (FIAT)
MODEL: 8 SPORT 1200 SPECIAL COUPÉ
YEAR: 1951
CHASSIS: 913342
ENGINE DISPLACEMENT: 1,221 cc
ODOMETER: 350 km
CERTIFICATIONS: ASI Approval – Gold Plate; FIVA Identity Card
INTERIOR: Brown leather
EXTERIOR: Blue
ACCESSORIES: Wire wheels

Description

Rare and elegant 1951 Simca 8 Sport 1200 Coupé, built in France by SIMCA, a company historically linked to Fiat and producing Fiat cars under licence, based on the mechanical platform derived from the Fiat 1100/Simca 8.

The Simca 8 Sport represents one of the most interesting expressions of post-war French motoring: a relatively limited-production sports car, characterised by refined Italian-designed coachwork and Simca mechanicals of Fiat origin. The project arose from the collaboration with and influence of the Farina establishments and was developed for production in France by Facel-Métallon, the prestigious coachbuilder that in subsequent years would also become famous for the Facel Vega automobiles. The elegant, aerodynamic lines belong to the great era of post-war Italian design and show clear stylistic affinities with the contemporary Cisitalia 202. l'Automobile Ancienne+1

The model was presented to the public at the end of the 1940s, and production of the 8 Sport developed during the early 1950s, with coupé and convertible bodies. For the coupé version, the lightweight aluminium body and particularly well-balanced proportions helped make the car one of the most fascinating French Grand Tourers of its era. Production ended in 1952, when the 8 Sport was replaced by the new Simca 9 Sport, built on a different-design platform.

Technical specifications

The Simca 8 Sport 1200 uses a 1,221 cc inline four-cylinder engine, fed by a Solex carburettor, producing approximately 50 hp at 4,800 rpm. The transmission is a manual four-speed gearbox, with floor-mounted control, and power is sent to the rear wheels. The braking system uses drums on all four wheels. The lightweight-alloy body helped keep weight down, at approximately 900 kg depending on the configuration and source. Technical figures commonly reported for the model include a wheelbase of approximately 2,420 mm, a length of approximately 4.10 metres, a width of 1.55 metres and a height of approximately 1.30 metres. The claimed top speed is around 135 km/h, a considerable figure for a sports car of this engine capacity at the beginning of the 1950s. OldtimerPhotography+1

The 1951 version belongs to a particularly interesting phase in the model's evolution. The 8 Sport coupé initially had a two-piece windscreen; during its development, a curved one-piece windscreen was adopted, while at the end of 1951 the grille was further updated. These details make it possible to place the various examples more precisely within the 8 Sport's short production history.

Rarity and historical interest

Total production of the Simca 8 Sport, including coupés and convertibles and all model versions, is generally stated to have been approximately 5,165 examples, built over a relatively short production run. The number, already limited at the outset, and the resulting survival of a much smaller number of complete and correctly preserved cars make the 8 Sport an automobile of particular interest to collectors today.

The car also combines several elements of particular historical interest: Fiat-derived mechanicals, French production, Facel-Métallon coachwork, a project linked to the Farina tradition and close stylistic kinship with some of the most celebrated Italian sports cars of the period. It is therefore a representative example of the intense technical and stylistic exchange between Italy and France in the period immediately following the Second World War.

Historical certifications

A particularly significant element of this specific example is its historical certification documentation.

In 2016, the car was examined by the ASI Commission, obtaining ASI Approval with Gold Plate, one of the most important recognitions in the Italian historical-car certification landscape. The same car was also issued a FIVA Identity Card, an international attestation of the vehicle's historical identity.

The joint presence of the ASI Gold Plate and the FIVA Identity Card is therefore an element of particular interest in the car's dossier, as it formally documents recognition of its identity and historical significance by two important historical-motoring certification systems.

Documented history of the example

This rare Simca 8 Sport, built in France under Fiat licence, was imported into Italy in the 2000s, becoming part of an important collection of historic automobiles.

During its time in Italy, it underwent a complete restoration, for which comprehensive photographic documentation of the work carried out is available. The restoration was completed in 2012, the year in which the car was also registered in Italy for the first time.

Since the restoration was completed, the car has covered only 350 km, a fact that gives particular interest to its preservation history and testifies to its extremely limited use following the restoration.

In 2016, it was examined by the ASI Commission, obtaining both the ASI Gold Plate and the FIVA Identity Card.

Participation in the Vernasca Silver Flag

After the restoration, the car participated in three editions of the Vernasca Silver Flag, in 2013, 2014 and 2018, respectively.

The Vernasca Silver Flag is the historic re-enactment of the Castell'Arquato–Vernasca hill climb, originally held from 1953 to 1972. The modern event is not a strictly timed race, but a dynamic event dedicated to the preservation and promotion of historic competition cars, which are driven along the original course closed to traffic.

The Simca 8 Sport's three appearances at the event therefore constitute a further qualifying element in its recent history and confirm that, following the restoration, the car was used in dynamic settings of great significance within the international historic-car scene.

The Simca 8 Sport in competition

The model nevertheless has a genuine and documented sporting history dating from its original period.

Simca 8 Sports were in fact used in competitions and rallies as early as the beginning of the 1950s. Particularly significant was their participation in the 1950 Rallye Monte-Carlo, in which 1,221 cc Simca 8 Sport cars prepared by Amédée Gordini were entered. A Simca 8 Sport 1221 driven by José Scaron and R. “Pascal” finished 4th overall, while another Simca 8 Sport 1221, entrusted to Eugène Chaboud and Marc Angelvin, achieved 5th overall. In the same event, a smaller-displacement Simca 8 Gordini also secured 3rd overall.

The Racing Sports Cars historical database also records 17 appearances for the Simca 8 Sport in 14 events between 1950 and 1954, with two second-place finishes and one third-place finish among the overall results in its archive, as well as a class victory. This is, however, a database that specifies that it is not exhaustive of all competitions contested by the model.

Participation in other international events is also documented, including competitions in the United States, confirming that the 8 Sport was not simply an elegant road-going coupé, but possessed sufficient characteristics to be competitive in the sporting activities of its era.

Summary

The car offered here therefore presents as an example of particular historical and collector interest: a 1951 Simca 8 Sport 1200 Coupé, with chassis number 913342, a 1,221 cc engine, elegant French coachwork with an Italian design approach, brown leather interior, blue bodywork and wire wheels.

Its interest is further enhanced by the comprehensive photographic restoration documentation, completed in 2012, its first Italian registration in the same year, its extremely limited use after restoration, amounting to only 350 km, and above all by the presence of the ASI Gold Plate and the FIVA Identity Card, obtained in 2016.

These elements are complemented by participation in three editions of the Vernasca Silver Flag (2013, 2014 and 2018) and the model's significant sporting history, including notable results at the 1950 Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Overall, this is therefore a car that brings together production rarity, Italian design, French construction, Fiat-derived mechanicals, international historical certification, documented restoration and a genuine sporting tradition, characteristics that make it an interesting testament to European motoring in the early post-war period.

This description has been automatically translated. Original language: Italian.

Condition & Registration

Registered

Ready to drive

Inspection Report

Not available

Have this vehicle inspected by experts!

Transparency over 128 inspection points
Condition grades for each component
Paint thickness measurement

Learn more & secure

Technical Details

Vehicle data

Make: SIMCA
Model series: 8
Model name: 8 Sport
First registration date: Not provided
Year of manufacture: 1951
Mileage (read): 350 km
Chassis number: Not provided
Engine number: Not provided
Gearbox number: Not provided
Number of owners: Not provided

Technical details

Body style: Coupe
Power (kW/hp): 37/50
Cubic capacity (cm³): 1221
Cylinders: 4
Doors: 2
Steering: Left (LHD)
Gearbox: Manual
Gears: 4
Transmission: Rear
Front brakes: Drum
Rear brakes: Drum
Fuel type: Petrol

1951 | SIMCA 8 Sport

Description

Condition & Registration

Inspection Report

Technical Details

Vehicle data

Technical details

Individual Configuration

More vehicles from Cristiano Luzzago

Similar vehicles

Newsletter