Ignacio Saenz de Camara
With the talbot samba, model that we put to the test, used components of the veteran Peugeot 104 and the range was provided with an economical car, valid for moving around the city and driving on the highway to fast cruisers. And it is that, at the same time that Chrysler and Simca models stopped being marketed, the PSA group revived the prestigious Talbot brand on July 10, 1979. This firm, founded in 1903, had a British and a French division, which achieved well-deserved fame until it closed in 1955.
However, the new denomination was received with indifference, because both Simca and Chrysler enjoyed a good reputation when the American Chrysler group sold its European section to the PSA group.
that set was made up of a conglomerate of factories from the UK, France and Spain, who had to adapt to the new situation. In the case of our country, the Simca 1000 ceased production in May 1977, while the Simca 1200 they were renamed the Talbot 1200 and the Chrysler 150 and 180 continued their commercial life as the Talbot.
DEVELOPMENT PHASE
After the purchase of Chrysler Europe by the PSA group, the new owners had access to the projects that were about to be launched on the market. The most immediate, the Horizon, the Solara and the Tagora, which already appeared as Talbot models. Likewise, a small multipurpose vehicle was in the process of being developed, which shared its basic scheme with the Talbot Horizon. PSA executives did not hesitate to speed up the creation of that car, which covered a vital sector of the market.
For that, used components from the Peugeot 104 and the design of its bodywork was carried out by the British Design Center of the former Rootes group. Located in Coventry, that team was run by Roy Axe, author of the lines of the Talbot Horizon and the Chrysler 150.
To differentiate it from the Peugeot 104, Citroën Visa and Citroën LNA, it was endowed with a front very similar to that of the Talbot Horizon, with its rectangular headlights and turn signals located at both corners. As for its dimensions, a length of 3,506 meters was chosen, clearly shorter than that of the Peugeot 104 and the Citroen Visa. In turn, it is larger than the Peugeot 104 Coupé (3,365 m) and Citroën LNA (3,430 m).
Overall, the Talbot Samba was to have a reasonable habitability for your measurements, besides having a Cx coefficient of 0,385. Undoubtedly, the most affected is the volume of the trunk, since it was preferred that the occupants have as much space as possible.
PRESENTATION IN TUSCANY
In January 1982, this light multipurpose was presented to the press in the Italian region of Tuscany, where motor journalists had the opportunity to test it. In the 270 km journey, they were able to verify the good habitability for its size. The counterpart lies in a low-capacity trunk, although expandable if the rear seats are sacrificed and thus achieve a volume of 610 liters.
The tested range was the one that was marketed in France, whose gearboxes had longer developments. In this sense, Villaverde's technicians insisted that the Spanish Sambas would have more powerful engines and transmissions according to our orography.
In addition, our Talbot Samba were going to have a somewhat more complete equipment. For example, they included standard front seats with "memory", which allow easy access to the rear seats and then recover their usual position. In turn, in the GL variants, the rear window wiper, the tinted windows, the radio pre-equipment, the five speed box, velvet upholstery and metallic paint.
Even with everything, Its level of equipment was somewhat limited, although it was commensurate with its price. In any case, the power of the engine, the five-speed gearbox and suspensions that allowed fast driving stood out.
ACCESS TO THE ROOM
Once the key is inserted in a lock whose design is similar to that of the Talbot Horizon, the seats with a somewhat short bench are visible, as well as some door trims and a dashboard in much lighter colors than usual.
And if we look to the back seat, youIt has the right width, comfortable for two adults to sit on., while three people could travel only short distances. And unless the front seat is far back, there's plenty of leg room for the rear passengers. As for the trunk, its length is the most limited measure, while it has a correct height and the width is reduced by the volume of the wheel arches and suspension springs.
Already seated behind the wheel, the pedals are slightly displaced to the right, while the driving position is comfortable and the gear lever is located in the right place. This unit, used for the first time by a motorist from Avilés, is now the property of Oskar from Navarra, who for three years has taken care of making it look like new. It is also true that some liberties have been taken, which we point out below.
For example, the leather steering wheel, the cover installed in the glove box, the right exterior mirror or a digital rev counter, added to a much more modern stereo than those that were marketed in the early 80s.
WE OPEN THE BONNET
Before we hit the road, we opted to pop the hood and see what the spare wheel occupies the central area of the engine compartment. It only reveals the McPherson turrets, the battery, the expansion tank and the air conditioning unit. However, it is enough to remove the wheel so that the area is clear. In this way, many of the periodic replacement parts remain visible, such as the oil filter, the alternator belt or the air filter housing.
Instead, the rearward position of the engine complicates some jobs. For example, replacing the clutch disc requires removing the engine, the same thing that occurs when adjusting the tappets or the exhaust valves.
In return, the presence of an electronic ignition It helps the all-aluminum engine and common crankcase with the transmission to gain economy and reduce maintenance. We also found some stickers under the hood with information and advice, something typical of the manufacturer from Villaverde since the days when it built its first trucks.
Those referring to the need for antifreeze in the refrigeration circuit stand out due to their importance, as well as the existence of two stops when closing the water circuit.
A LOOK OUTSIDE
Before putting our Talbot Samba to the test, we see its bodywork. After closing the hood, a walk around the car allows us to notice the various matt black plastic elements, such as the front grille, the exterior mirrors, the bumpers and the side protections.
Nor do they go unnoticed Targa wheels in size 5,5 x 13, fitted with 175/65 R 13 tires and which improve performance compared to the original equipment, made up of 4,5 x 13 sheet metal wheels and 145 SR 13 tires. set of four supplementary headlamps installed in the front, with the upper long-distance lights and the fog lights installed in the lower area.
At the rear, the surface of the rear light groups is somewhat larger than usual in those years. It has a rear fog light and two reversing lights. And in the rear window we find the anti-fog resistors offered as standard in the GL, together with the advertising slogan "What a car!".
It is also accompanied by three other stickers, corresponding to the Avilés dealership where it was purchased, the "Five Speed" badge of the versions with this option and a sticker informing that Talbot lubricates with Cepsa.
BACK AT THE WHEEL
We return to the position on the driver's seat and we start the engine. The steering, with its 3,9 turns of the steering wheel, has a handling that does not require too much effort, at the same time that it forces decisive maneuvering in urban traffic.
Thanks to its size, driving in the city is quite easy, in tune with good visibility, a smooth power shift knob and an engine that revs briskly. In the same way, the 750 kg weight, together with the gearbox with five well-staggered relations make it possible for the consumption figures to be quite low even at the present time.
The suspensions have a good compromise between comfort and grip. On the other hand, the little support of the backrest and the inclination that the body takes in curves taken with decision force to hold firmly to the floor and to the steering wheel. In urban use, the breaks acclimatization is required need more pressure than usual on the pedal. Of course, they have foolproof efficiency, favored by the contained weight of our protagonist.
On the whole, this Talbot Samba moves at ease in the streets of the cities. In this environment, its suspension comfort and the versatility provided by the folding rear seat when transporting bulky objects also stand out.
ROAD TEST OF THE TALBOT SAMBA
This specimen of Tenerife Blue color accelerates with brio and we soon surpassed the 100 km/h marker in third. Already in fourth, this version can reach its official top speed of 155 km/h in this ratio, with the engine touching 6.500 rpm.
On the other hand, thanks to the fifth ratio you can ride without fear of punishing the engine too much and maintain the legal cruise of 120 km/h, at a comfortable cruising speed of 4.000 rpm.
Above 4.500 rpm, the engine becomes noisier, but up to this regime it retains an appreciable acoustic comfort. Added to this comfort is that provided by the suspension, even in this unit fitted with slightly wider wheels. Despite the speed with which the Talbot Samba GL moves, superior to that of competitors such as the Ford Fiesta 1.1, the Renault 5 tx or the SEAT Fura, its somewhat austere equipment puts it in evidence, no matter how high your frame is.
Among the accessories that we miss, there are H4 halogen headlights as standard, which would allow driving at night with greater peace of mind. And also some tinted windows, which were factory-equipped by the rest of its contenders. Something similar occurs with the finish and quality of materials, with plastics that do not seem to be durable or the dubious adjustments in the door trims.
EFFECTIVE BEHAVIOR
Anyway, one of its best assets lies in its understeering behavior, but easy to control based on the steering wheel, and helped to a large extent by a short wheelbase and the characteristic lightness of the model. In disagreement with the good grip accompanied by a pronounced rocking, the seats sin of a little support. For this reason, the back moves to the outside of the turn and you no longer have full control of driving.
In fact, It is not a sports car at all costs, but of a small and light multi-purpose vehicle with front-wheel drive and a transversal engine. In any case, its successful frame allows it to be driven with an unsuspected vivacity for its size. Therefore, users who carry out conventional driving behind the wheel of this Talbot Samba can rest easy, since it has a character that guarantees safe and comfortable driving, both in the city and on the highway.
It is likely that by then there would be those who missed a five-door version. However, the appearance in 1983 of the Peugeot 205 it highlighted the market segment that was entrusted to the small three-door Talbot. Besides, the Talbot Samba were already showing signs of inevitable exhaustion in 1985, like the rest of its brand brothers. For that reason, the group PSA chose to abolish Talbot in 1986 and continued with his projects within the Peugeot brand.
CONCLUSIONS
Made logically to fill a commercial gap within the Talbot range, the Samba took advantage of the broad set of components, platforms and powerplants shared not only by Citroën and Peugeot, but also by Renault.
They knew how to differentiate it from the Citroen LNA and Visa, as well as the Peugeot 104 and the Renault 14, but by limiting their bodies to a three-door and a cabriolet the type of clientele interested in buying it was considerably reduced. Nor did the economic situation of Talbot itself help, weighed down by its investment volume and subject to absolute control by the PSA group.
In the end, the usual thing happened in these cases. The PSA group increased its production capacity thanks to the factories provided by Talbot. In addition, the success of the Peugeot 205 contributed to improving the economic health of PSA. 42 years after its release on the market, it is currently difficult to come across a Talbot Samba on the streets and highways. And much less that it is in the state of conservation that characterizes this unit.
All this thanks to Oskar's commitment and professionalism, who has gone out of his way to ensure that this specimen recovers the vigor and energy it had in its youth.
Classic Lane photographs.
APPENDIX 1: TALBOT SAMBA RALLYE
In addition to the conventional versions, In May 1983, the Talbot Samba Rallye was presented at the Barcelona Motor Show. It was a sports version that was distinguished by its striking decoration, through red and gray stickers on the hood and both sides, plus the legend RALLYE in red on the side so that there was no doubt.
Incorporates a 1.219 cm engine3, which, thanks to a feed based on two double-body Weber carburettors and a camshaft with greater crossover, achieves a maximum power of 90 CV at 6.700 laps, a truly extraordinary figure for its displacement. However, its maximum torque of 103 Nm is obtained at a high speed of 5.400 rpm, which makes it necessary to always have the engine in the high area of the rev counter if you want to have a good response to the accelerator pedal.
Already installed in the driving position, The steering wheel with three arms and only 36 cm in diameter is to be appreciated, which facilitates handling in curves. In the same sense, the brake pedal favors the toe-heel manoeuvre. Although this model was criticized for the almost non-existent trunk when carrying the spare wheel there, its effective behavior and its benefits compensated for the little equipment.
APPENDIX 2: ALL AHEAD
For replace Simca 1000, the remembered "everything behind" who even had a brilliant track record and rallies, the PSA group conceived a very different car: the Talbot Samba. Equipped with a three-door body, it has a front engine in a transverse position and tilted 72 degrees backwards. Thanks to this situation, it achieves a clearly more advantageous use of space, which is also benefited by having the spare wheel in the engine compartment.
In the chapter on suspensions, the Samba have a McPherson strut in front, with stabilizer bar, while on the rear axle they have drawn arms and coil springs, which achieve excellent behavior. The simpler Spanish LS versions were equipped with a four-speed gearbox, mated to a 1.124 cc, 55 hp engine that used normal gasoline.
For its part, the GL had a little more equipment, a gearbox that was offered as an option with five speeds and the engine of the same displacement obtained 58 CV.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE 1982 TALBOT SAMBA GL |
|
| Motor | transverse front |
| Displacement | 1.124 cm3 |
| Cylinders | 4 in line |
| Diameter x stroke | 72 x 69 mm |
| Maximum power | 58 DIN hp at 6.000 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 81,3 Nm to 3.000 rpm |
| Food | Solex 32 PBISA carburettor |
| Compression ratio | 9,2:1 |
| Distribution | overhead camshaft |
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Traction | Lead |
| Gearbox | Five-speed manual + ma |
| Clutch | dry single disc |
| Chassis | self-supporting monocoque |
| Bodywork | Multi-purpose three-door (five-seater) |
| Front suspension | Independent, McPherson, springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension | Independent, trailing arms, springs and dampers |
| Address | Zipper |
| Brakes | discs/drums |
| Length/width/height | 3.506 / 1.528 / 1.362 mm |
| Ways | 1.292/1.272 mm |
| Battle | 2.340 mm |
| Weight : | 750 kg |
| Tires | 4,5J x 13 |
| Tires | 145 SR 13 |
| Deposit | 40 liters |
| Consumer goods | 6,9l/km |
| Trunk | 236 liters |
| Maximum speed | 155 km/h |
| Weight / power ratio | 12,93 kg / CV |
| year of presentation | 1981 |
| years of production | 1981 – 1986 |
| year unit tested | 1982 |
| Units produced | 270.555 (in Spain, 23.954) |
