Simca 1300/1500

The Simca 1300 and Simca 1500 were large family cars that Simca built at its Poissy factory from 1963 to 1966, and in revamped form as the 1301 and 1501 until 1975. They were essentially one car fitted with either a 1.3-litre or a 1.5-litre engine, which gave the names, and they replaced the popular, long-running Aronde. At first only a four-door saloon was offered, but the 1500 gained an estate in 1964 and the 1300 estate followed in 1965. The estates had split tailgates, and the 1500 GL's cargo floor, which covered the spare wheel, could be turned into a picnic table on four folding legs. The cars were popular in France and Germany, and Jacques Tati used them in grey and dark colours throughout his film Playtime to show the uniformity of modern life.