Miguel Sánchez
We continue to review the new auctions available on Petrol in order to give you purchasing suggestions. A task in which we have come across this unit of the Simca 1200 Special In perfect state of conservation. Something really striking because, to tell the truth, due to the utilitarian nature of this model - as well as its more than half a century old - it is not common to find representatives of it in such a condition.
Furthermore, this enhances one of its main arguments for its acquisition: its good character as a first classic, as vehicle with which to begin the hobby of historical motorsports. And it is that, to begin with, be a classic “popular” makes both spare parts and easy and simple maintenance fully available.
Likewise, its excellent habitability makes it a car that you can enjoy with your family, being a credible option in order to face medium trips with recreational dyes and even certain uses in everyday life. A host of practical reasons to add to the fact that this model, the 1200 Special, turns out to be a fairly characteristic piece of national production from the seventies.
In short, an appropriate and practical choice if you are looking for a start without excessive problems to the world of classics, also being on a scale of prices on par with its generalist nature. All this seasoned - in this case - with a conservation that is really rarely seen. In fact, your odometer records only 7.500 kilometers. Of course, keep in mind how the counter has been able to turn around and start again - it only has five digits - although... Who knows. It's really well maintained!
SIMCA 1200 SPECIAL, A CASE RELATING TO SPAIN
Everything that could be said has already been said about the Simca 1200 and, furthermore, relatively recently Javier Costas published a documented popular article in this same newspaper of which, if you are reading this text now, surely the memory has come to mind. If not, consult the specialized press a little more often. Let the fans be noticed.
However, in case you are still at a certain loss, we will remind you how the Simca 1100 - first version of this compact created by the French firm as a step up from its popular 1000 - was introduced in 1967 with a 1.118 cc engine along with its excellent habitability.
This quality is blessed by the use of front-wheel drive, thus following in the footsteps of the pioneer Autobiachi Primula in order to clear the cabin without the huge transmission inherent to rear-wheel drive and front-engine models. After this, in 1969 Barreiros - which we could now define more as Chrysler Spain - presented at the Barcelona Motor Show its adaptation to the Spanish market under the figure 1200.
And, not in vain, the displacement had risen to 1.204 cc, thus producing 59 HP. Of course, in 1972 the arrival of the 1200 Special increased its cubic capacity to 1.294 cc with 75 HP - according to the catalogue, as some independent test banks left the power at around 68 HP at most - along with complete and even somewhat refined equipment, with wood and vinyl.
THE UNIT FOR SALE IN BENZIN
After this brief - but clarifying - summary you will have been able to see how the 1200 Simca 1972 Special has the particularity of being a peninsular adaptation. This fact that, ultimately, gives it some uniqueness; section to thank when we talk about a compact known to death, one of those with which a hobby with a bias towards what is already known - again and again, again and again, again and again - enjoys like a scrapyard animal.
Don't get angry. We do not say this in a bad way because, first of all, the Simca 1200 is an essential model in the genesis of the current C segment. Likewise, and as we have already indicated before, the extensive information available about it makes things easy for the first-time fan; something to be appreciated as is finding a unit with the state of conservation presented by it. Consider bidding, there are still two days left.
