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Mystery car pix

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  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,124
    Chrysler bought Simca at some point, didn't they?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    edited August 2015
    Chrysler bought Simca in nibbles over the years, eventually having a controlling interest before Chrysler Europe collapsed in 1977. I think Peugeot bought the turkey carcass after that. Ford and Fiat also owned pieces of Simca now and then.
  • magnettemagnette Member Posts: 4,229
    berri said:

    I knew a guy in college that drove a Hillman, but it was British I believe. At least it had electrical issues like things shorting out (Lucas anyone?). Weren't Simca's French? I'm not sure, but I think maybe Chrysler Plymouth dealers sold Simca's for awhile and might have even badge shared one of their products in the sixties? Maybe that was Hillman though? Well, all I know for sure is that Buick handled Opel and Pontiac had Vauxhall for awhile back in late 50's/early 60's Chicagoland. Don't recall ever seeing any British Ford's growing up back then in the Chicago area though. But the mind does start to age...

    I think our Hillman Avenger was your Plymouth Cricket in the early 70's...
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    Tracing the ownership history of European car brands always reminds me of those complex hand drawn charts showing the changing membership of 1970's bands.

    Simca was originally founded by Fiat in 1934, acquired Ford's French operations along the way and then was progressively bought up by Chrysler from the 1960's. By about 1970, it was wholly owned by Chrysler Europe which in turn divested it to Peugeot Ctroen PSA in 1978. The Talbot brand also comes in somehow there as Peugeot continued to sell some models under the Simca Talbot brand then just Talbot. The last gasp was the Peugeot 309, which was still on sale when I went the UK in 1990. At the time, this seemed odd as the number series was out of line with other Peugeot models and the whole feel of the car, seemed dramatically different from other Peugeot of that era - it sot of felt like being introduced to the distant cousin. At this time, there was the lovely Peugeot 205 and the larger, and also lovely 405 in mainstream supply, but the 309 just felt "wrong".

    There was an odd little sidelight to the later Simca era that resulted in a mid size Australian car. As part of Chrysler Europe, Simca developed the Chrysler 180 in the early 1970s. A plan was developed to ship body-shells to Australia where the Australian Chrysler operation would fit engines, including the Hemi 6 which was a sort of highly successful Australian derived orphan child of the US Chrysler Hemi engine. They were then sold as Chrysler Centuras. Unfortunately the French were testing Atomic bombs in the Pacific at the time, leading to union bans on the importation of French products, so a vast shipment of body-shells sat on the wharves in Adelaide, pre-rusting for about two years, before they eventually made it to the Chrysler Australia assembly plant.

    The installation of the Hemi engine required a longer nose and upset weight distribution so the Australian version had a brake proportioning valve.

    Another oddity was that the US sourced engine and other components had imperial nut sizes, but the French sourced body, Metric.

    They were never much loved here.

    Cheers

    Graham
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    I'm not sure, but wasn't the old British Rootes group another one of these complicated stories?
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,124
    One more Simca/Chrysler link. The Omni/Horizon were based on the Simca Horizon. Always looked like a close copy of the 1st gen Golf/Rabbit to me.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    edited August 2015


    There's one of these in a nationwide older car publication now selling for a tad under $12,000. Nice. Sometimes it's nice ta see some of the old chrome bumpers, eh?

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  • bhill2bhill2 Member Posts: 2,601



    There's one of these in a nationwide older car publication now selling for a tad under $12,000. Nice. Sometimes it's nice ta see some of the old chrome bumpers, eh?

    Methinks it is a Datsun 2000 (from the badge below the 'Datsun' one on the front fender. I don't think I've ever seen one with dog dish hubcaps before.

    2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 262,993
    bhill2 said:
    There's one of these in a nationwide older car publication now selling for a tad under $12,000. Nice. Sometimes it's nice ta see some of the old chrome bumpers, eh?
    Methinks it is a Datsun 2000 (from the badge below the 'Datsun' one on the front fender. I don't think I've ever seen one with dog dish hubcaps before.
    My uncle owned one of these at one time when I was a kid. Never got a ride in it, sadly. 

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  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    edited August 2015
    I am just starting to get a crush on this car so I've done little research. Apparently there's the numbers 1600 and 2000 for the same bodystyle, plus there's the name 'Fairlady' as well. I have a good amount of respect for Datsun then Nissan as a carmaker from the job they did with the Datsun 510. That little pup would also be a fine little car to have if it has been looked after well through the years.

    Datsun engineers actually had a little 'ole carmaker from Germany named Porsche in mind when they built the 510. Wanted to make a Japanese car that could rock and roll with the big boys. No, it's true. Jay Leno had one at his shop for a test drive and gave it a favorable review. It's the superb handling combined with the quick acceleration from the powertrain that has them amiable. Not a Bugatti by any stretch, but, well, you know.

    But for a little tinkertoy the 1600-2000 Fairlady has caught my eye away from a clear white 1967 VW Bug. For the time being, anyway.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • slorenzenslorenzen Member Posts: 694
    Years ago I know a guy that raced the 1600 in it's class.

    He said the 2000 was a LOT more powerful, but they had a bad habit of breaking timing chains.

    Interference engine.

    Bad juju.

    He said the 1600(pushrod) was not as fast, but far less troublesome.

    Now, drop a small block Chevy in that thing... B)
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    Now, drop a small block Chevy in that thing... B)

    Just like putting a 289 V8 in a Mustang, right? :)

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • bhill2bhill2 Member Posts: 2,601

    Now, drop a small block Chevy in that thing... B)

    Just like putting a 289 V8 in a Mustang, right? :)

    Or like putting a 260 V8 in a Sunbeam Alpine.

    2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    It's a pretty tiny car. Not sure a V8 would fit without some pots sticking out of the hood.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    edited August 2015
    Or like putting a 260 V8 in a Sunbeam Alpine.

    Good example! I just can't see a V8 in a Datsun 1600/2000 at all.


    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    I think the 1600 came with a 4 speed manual, while the 2000 had a 5 speed. Unfortunately, early Japanese cars tended to have the tin worm of a 57 Plymouth or Ford.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    edited August 2015
    Unfortunately, early Japanese cars tended to have the tin worm of a 57 Plymouth or Ford.

    Come again? They rusted prematurely?

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    Rust can be an issue on 60's and early 70's Japanese imports. Datsun and the early Z car pop right up on that topic. But it was a common sight on early Asian metal in the Midwest and northeast. Don't know if it was the result of thin sheet metal or more likely they hadn't perfected rustproofing yet.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,636
    berri said:

    Rust can be an issue on 60's and early 70's Japanese imports. Datsun and the early Z car pop right up on that topic. But it was a common sight on early Asian metal in the Midwest and northeast. Don't know if it was the result of thin sheet metal or more likely they hadn't perfected rustproofing yet.

    That persisted on most Japanese cars through the '80s.

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  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,436
    Early Hondas in salt country rusted something fierce.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    That's a '66 Elva Courier. They could be had as a road-going sports car but most were setup up to compete in the SCA E-Production Sports class were they did quite well. A number of top drivers of the era, including Mark Donohue got their start racing Couriers.

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    And Subarus. My '82 Tercel held up pretty well while friends with Subies had to duck tape the fenders to cover the holes. And we really didn't have much salt up north compared to, say, Michigan.
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    Don't forget all those rusted out Datsun B210's - but they kept on driving despite it.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,636
    My '82 Accord hatch had it pretty bad... but, I kept it 12 years..

    Had co-workers with early 4Runners and Toyo 4WD pickups.. Mostly, they were just driving around with a frame and roof.. (of course, they would run forever).

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  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,459
    Even here in the PNW. Slower that most places, but the rust would creep up, especially if the car lived outside. With neglect, once 10-15 years old, many Japanese cars of that era were dissolving here. The engines would keep going strong, but the bodies would slowly evaporate.

    Unfortunately, early Japanese cars tended to have the tin worm of a 57 Plymouth or Ford.

    Come again? They rusted prematurely?

  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    edited August 2015
    Wow - if I ever got a wild enough hair and wanted ta pursue a 60-something Datsun 1600/2000, I'd want to do a thorough rust-check. I'm in SW Kansas now, Midwest but not really part of the nasty, snowy and icy salted roads. Need one from a rust-free zone of some sort.

    The iluvmysephia1 traveling Allied Healthcare show has hit Kansas now! Mrs.iluvmysephia1 and I went and saw Boston and Blue Oyster Cult Saturday night in Dodge City. Both bands still have it goin' on, rockers. Apparently Dennis Hopper lived here as a baby and moved away when he was about 5 years old. They have a statue of him over by the Santa Fe train depot. All he really remembered of Dodge City were the trains going through.

    Dodge City, KS, boasts the world's largest cattle slaughterhouse, National Beef. :'(

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    Isn't Dodge City where the phrase "get out of Dodge" came from? Sounds like some good hard rockin' !
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,459
    edited August 2015
    In KS I'd be just as concerned about sun damage as rust. Old Japanese interiors decomposed at an astonishing pace, and a lot of those pieces are unobtanium.

    Were the dust, heat, and gangs of ML too much? ;)

    Wow - if I ever got a wild enough hair and wanted ta pursue a 60-something Datsun 1600/2000, I'd want to do a thorough rust-check. I'm in SW Kansas now, Midwest but not really part of the nasty, snowy and icy salted roads. Need one from a rust-free zone of some sort.

    The iluvmysephia1 traveling Allied Healthcare show has hit Kansas now! Mrs.iluvmysephia1 and I went and saw Boston and Blue Oyster Cult Saturday night in Dodge City. Both bands still have it goin' on, rockers. Apparently Dennis Hopper lived here as a baby and moved away when he was about 5 years old. They have a statue of him over by the Santa Fe train depot. All he really remembered of Dodge City were the trains going through.

    Dodge City, KS, boasts the world's largest cattle slaughterhouse, National Beef. :'(

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited August 2015
    I wondered about your sig line the other day @iluvmysephia1. The way y'all are moving around, Las Cruces may be the second go-round for ya'll's New Mexico pit stop.
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    Back on topic>


    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • bhill2bhill2 Member Posts: 2,601
    andys120 said:

    Back on topic>


    Jag. Mark Vii or so (?).

    2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    edited September 2015
    I call them "Blivets". Awful cars. However if it's a Mark IX you can loot them for parts for the XK 150s (engines, disk brakes, etc).
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    It's a 1960 Jaguar Mk. XI (11).

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    Nice 62 Ford. I recall that color being kind of popular come the 64 full size cars, but not as much before, so this picture kind of surprised me.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    edited September 2015
    ???No such model as far as I know. If it's a 1960, it's a Mark IX.
    andys120 said:

    It's a 1960 Jaguar Mk. XI (11).

  • lostwrench1lostwrench1 Member Posts: 1,165
    1962 Ford Galaxie 500XL. (With Thunderbird engine).
  • bhill2bhill2 Member Posts: 2,601

    ???No such model as far as I know. If it's a 1960, it's a Mark IX.

    andys120 said:

    It's a 1960 Jaguar Mk. XI (11).

    And the Mark X was radically redesigned.


    2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])

  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670

    ???No such model as far as I know. If it's a 1960, it's a Mark IX.

    andys120 said:

    It's a 1960 Jaguar Mk. XI (11).

    Doh! That's what I get for going by the caption. I figured if it was on the internet it must be true! :'(

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I had trouble seeing your pic - here's a screenshot from the link.


  • lostwrench1lostwrench1 Member Posts: 1,165
    1950 Chevy
    1951 Ford
    1955 Dodge
    1954 Chevy wagon
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Love the 50s "tin wagons". It's one of the few 46-54 era types that I would consider buying and restoring.
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    edited September 2015
    Here's another "tin wagon" from the same era>


    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • lostwrench1lostwrench1 Member Posts: 1,165
    1970/71 GTO.
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    I'm guessing that yellow beast is a Rambler from the first half of the 50's, probably 54 or 55?
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    Good guess Berri, it's a 1953 sedan delivery version of the Nash Rambler known as the Greenbrier. IIRC that name was later used by Chevy a decade later for their Corvair based vans.

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,436
    Is that a nissan patrol?

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,670
    stickguy said:

    Is that a nissan patrol?

    Yup, to be exact it's a 1977 Nissan Patrol LG60.

    You know it's a mystery to me why Nissan or Toyota gave up on building a direct competitor to the hot-selling Wrangler. Surely there are many who would appreciate the improvement in reliability.

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

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