Simca Esplanada

Infobox Automobile


name = Simca Esplanada
manufacturer = Simca do Brasil
production = 1966–1969
predecessor = Simca Chambord
successor =
class = Large car
layout = FR layout
body_style = 4-door saloon
5-door estate
2-door convertible
4-door convertible
engine = 2.4 L "Aquillon" V8
transmission = 3-speed manual
"Rush-Matic" automaticcite book |last=Bellu |first=René |title=Toutes les Simca |publisher= Studio Gernot |location=Le Conquet "(published and distributed privately, no ISBN)"]
wheelbase = Auto mm|2690|1
length = Auto mm|4520|1
width = Auto mm|1750|1
height = Auto mm|1480|1
weight = Auto kg|1150|0
fuel_economy =
fuel_capacity = convert|60|L|usgal impgal|1
related = Ford Vedette
Simca Vedette
Simca Chambord
similar = Ford Zodiac
Renault Frégate
Vauxhall Cresta
Opel Kapitän
Aero Willys| designer = Launched at the 1966 motor show in São Paulo (Salão do Automóvel) the Simca Esplanada replaced the models Chambord, Présidence and Rallye. It was a large car, manufactured up until 1969 by the Brazilian subsidiary of French automaker Simca, at their factory in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil. The Esplanada was a radically restyled version based on the originally Ford designed Ford Vedette (later rebadged in Simca Vedette and its successor, the Simca Chambord.

French origin, Brazilian styling

While technically pretty much identical to its predecessors, the Esplanada featured radically restyled front and rear ends. The interior featured reclinable leather seats and fine Jacarandá wood trimings on dashboard and doors. The top Models 3M and 6M could easily be recognized by their vinyl top. The Convert|140|hp|kW|0|abbr=on engine now was fed by an electric fuel pump and featured a 34 Ampère alternator. A newly introduced hydraulic clutch improved gear changing and driving comfort significantly, the gearbox was upgraded with an overdrive.

The Chrysler touch

From August 1967 on the Simca Esplanadas featured a small badge at the rear end with the writing “fabricado pela Chrysler” (built by Chrysler) following the takeover by the American car brand.

Stringent quality tests dictated by the Detroit headquarters lead to improvements on 53 items on the Esplanda’s mechanical side being introduced at once, including a power reduction to Convert|130|hp|kW|0|abbr=on for the sake of higher durability. The visual was also slightly up-dated with new headlamps, a new grille and different chrome items and new rear end lights.

The significant mechanical improvements allowed Chrysler the confidence to shock main up-market competitor Ford with a novel 2-year or 36.000 warranty. The production of the Esplanada ceased in 1969 as Chrysler decided to introduce an opponent for Ford Galaxie over market shares in Brazil with the roomier Dodge Dart from then on.

Production figures

*1966 -
*1967 -
*1968 -
*1969 -

References

*"Automóveis Brasileiros" by author Enio Brandenburg, FBVA, Rio de Janeiro – Brasil

*"The Automobile in South America - The Origins (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay , Uruguay)" by author Álvaro Casal Tatlock, FBVA, Rio de Janeiro – Brasil

*"Automóveis de São Paulo" by author Malcom Forest, FBVA, Rio de Janeiro – Brasil

External links

* [http://www.simca.com.br / Simca Club Brazil]