We seem to be on a bit of a mini-pickup kick, so this Simca 1100 posted by Benoit is perfect timing. I knew there was a covered van version of these, since that was a pretty popular format in France, starting with the 2CV Fourgonnette. I’m not exactly surprised to see a pickup version too, but I can’t say I was fully conscious of it. But here it is, living proof.
Obviously the pickup is essentially the 1100 VF2 Van minus all that sheet metal above the beltline. There was also a low roof van that was essentially a wagon without the windows on the sides in the rear. But it didn’t have the raised roof like the pickup and VF2 van.
Benoit noted that this had 1118 cc; that would be the initial size engine that gave the 1100 its name. There was also a smaller 944 cc version, as the 1294 cc version as used in the version sold in the US, the Simca 1204. No pickup version was offered here, for pretty obvious reasons, although Chrysler did of course make a pickup version of the Horizon-based coupes, the Dodge Rampage and Plymouth Scamp.
Very cute. It’s like a French version of the Li’l Red Express.
Petit Rouge Express?
I like it, but I tend to like most any coupe utility and other small pickups.
There were rumors that Ford could do a sub-Maverick vehicle based on the Fiesta, similar to the not-long-deceased South American Courier or South African Bantam. Since the $20k Maverick is already a loss-leader, I don’t see it happening, but it would be cool to have the option. Anything to break up the CUV monotony.
OMG I want one!!! I had a Simca 1204 long ago, certainly flawed in ways, but a spectacular car in many and I would just love one of those. Of course I’d love to find a winning lottery ticket on the floor of the grocery store too, but we’re not going there. And by now of the 6 worldwide that are likely left, there’s probably only one that wouldn’t be refused entry at your local junkyard, but the 1204 was so good, and the pickup is so cool…
I now return you to the real world.
Shout-out to the VF3 van, which raised the roof even higher. Unfortunately, it used the same doors as the VF2, so some of the advantage was lost when loading tall cargo.
would it have killed them to add a hatch above the doors like some Renault 4 vans?
Aka girafon Great to have hitched open on a hot day!
Once there were zillions of VF2 vans around here in Holland, they were more capable then the Renault 4 Fourgon which was way better then a 2CV van or the Acadiane vans by Citroën.
The VF2 was used by the Dutch mail and telecom services and where I worked we had one in mail red running on LPG
The metal van panel was not an integral part of the VF2, it was fitted with a lot of kit and screwed to the body, so removing and turning it into a pick up was not a big thing to do.
Odd, in the eighties every business had one and now Simca has totally disappeared.
Nice .
I wonder how such an old Commercial vehicle managed to remain in such good shape .
Clever how they integrated the parking lamps .
-Nate