Model: Simca 1000 Rallye
Release: Norev Racing Retro
eBay link: Norev Simca 1000
Why it’s in the collection: You know I love old rally cars…
I recently updated my 1:64 rally display and realized that I had a few Norev models sitting in boxes that deserved to be included. I didn’t want to spoil the mostly true-1:64 lineup with oversized models – Norev 3-inch models are often closer to 1:55 than 1:64 – but I reckoned that this lovely Simca deserved a place, despite being a little large.
The real car (a Rallye 2) was entered in the 1973 Monte Carlo Rally by Chrysler France. Driven by Bernard Fiorentino and Maurice Gélin, this rear-engined, 1,294cc machine finished in a modest 21st place. Ahead were numerous Alpine A110s like the one that popped up in another recent Lamley Daily, plus other, likewise more powerful machinery driven by the likes of Hannu Mikkola, Timo Mäkinen and Jean Ragnotti. No disgrace there!
The model is up to Norev’s usual high standards in this scale and captures the nostalgic look of this unusual subject very well, for a fraction of the cost of a Tarmac or an Inno. Our neighbours had a Simca 1000 when I was very young, but it didn’t look as cool as this ’73 rally car does in Radio Monte Carlo livery with black steelies… Complaints? Not many, but I wish that Norev had better quality control on its rubber tyres, which are occasionally misshapen.
The Simca is one of several great Norev castings in the Racing Retro line, including a Mini Cooper, R5 Turbo and the aforementioned Alpine. They’ve appeared in other Norev 3 Inches assortments as well, in a couple of decos. All are worth hunting down!
(find Norev Race Retro on eBay)
i have that Simca. I bought it on a trip to Paris years ago and i love it. I didn’t notice it was a large casting as it looks smaller than mey matchbox or hot wheels.