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Lightweight SIMCA 1000

scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Jan 27, 2019 18:19:09 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	The only problem with getting a SIMCA 1000 shell dipped is the way, as in many French cars, where thicker gauge metal is needed, they used two or 3 layers of thin stuff. That's where the rust problem arises in the first place with moisture getting between the original layers which were spot welded in a very hit & miss fashion from the factory. With dipping, I'd worry about the acid getting between these layers and staying there. Also, I'm building this one to a tight budget and when I originally built it the front end panelwork was bonded on as a complete unit which, dipping would have meant removing that. Aim is a fast road/trackday car eventually. The fibreglass rear doors I sourced from France for a previous racer back in the late 80s save a massive amount of weight with lexan windows. I've got the fibreglass front door skins from the same car ready to fit. Also I'm fitting a larger radiator in the front but it is an alloy one so should save a bit.
	Last Edit: Jan 27, 2019 18:21:49 GMT by scmick

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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Jan 28, 2019 12:34:28 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Fibreglass panels fitted to rear. I've made the back panel detachable as SIMCA had originally welded the panel in. On the standard car this makes engine removal or refitting much more fiddly. The original panel does nothing for the structure as it is so flimsy. Mine will have the fibreglass panel with a tubular brace bolted across what were the bumper mountings. Fibreglass lid with built in 'Rallye 3' spoiler is from one of my past racing SIMCAs.
	Last Edit: Jan 28, 2019 12:35:18 GMT by scmick

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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 6, 2019 21:30:37 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Moving to front end, I've welded in mountings for the fuel tank... an alloy foam filled one from one of my old racers... and the radiator. This came with the car the first time I got it back. The owner had been into turbo'ed Nissan drift cars and as it was in a box from a Japanese parts supplier, I assume that's the source. It's huge but light being alloy and past experience of the supercharged engine, the original SIMCA rad struggled to cope. A bigger air intake was needed. My reshaping of the original rectangular hole has offended some SIMCA purists but this is an out & out 'modified' after all. Coolant will be circulated by an electric water pump. Original SIMCA water pumps are not the best and prices on the Continent make a Davies Craig etc look good value.


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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 6, 2019 22:06:12 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	[img src="i.postimg.cc/GmXKdmSy/image.png" src="http://" alt=" "] [img src="i.postimg.cc/N0NzJ4wZ/image.png" src="http://" alt=" "]
	Last Edit: Feb 6, 2019 22:18:20 GMT by scmick

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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 7, 2019 11:03:41 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	try again...


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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 7, 2019 11:42:11 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	rad and tank tried in place before I removed them to paint in the front.


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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 7, 2019 14:13:35 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top



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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 7, 2019 22:23:47 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Have added bracing bars from where rollcage mounts on rear shelf to chassis legs, copying a similar arrangements on my orange ex youngtimer racer which is really rigid. The SIMCA 1000's chassis legs are not the car's strongest point and I've seen ones turning out serious power with 'lead footed' drivers crack badly in this area.
	Last Edit: Feb 7, 2019 22:24:47 GMT by scmick

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thechadzone Part of things Posts: 166	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 thechadzone @thechadzone
	Feb 9, 2019 6:41:15 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Looks like a lifetime of skill building has happened in that garage. I love the last pic with the Weber DCOEs and tidy engine bay juxtaposed against all the bits in the background. I think we did get the Ass-engined Simcas in the States, but got very few of them and they're all gone now. I've never seen one in person, and I'm enjoying what you're posting up. They look both humble and exotic to me : )


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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 9, 2019 12:31:00 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	The orange car is my trackday 'toy'. There's a thread on here on it 'SIMCA 1000 youngtimer racer'. I got it in 2016 from a guy over here. He'd bought it in 2009 from Porsche engineer Frank Breidenstein who'd raced it around Europe including Nürburgring, Spa , Hockenheim etc. in the 'Youngtimer' Trophy race series. Here it is on its way up Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb at Retro Rides Gathering 2016..


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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 9, 2019 12:40:35 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	thechadzone There is a SIMCA club America facebook group and ~SIMCA 1000s and the rear engine coupes do come up on there. I'm currently sharing info on there about the transplant I did on a rear engine SIMCA fitting a Honda CRX twin cam engine on the SIMCA gearbox.


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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 12, 2019 17:35:54 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Been combining a clear out in the garage ready to get the gearbox out of the racer for diff attention with finding all the suspension bits for this project. The SIMCA 1000's front suspension is dead simple using a transverse leaF spring. Compared my sock of springs and chose the one from the SIMCA coupe we scrapped for parts. It had stood for 20+ years full of junk so is well lowered..!!!


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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 12, 2019 17:44:49 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	and...
	Last Edit: Feb 12, 2019 17:45:48 GMT by scmick

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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 12, 2019 17:47:14 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	and...


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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Mar 15, 2019 17:56:57 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	A bit more progress at last. Need to get it on 4 wheels to move it to get my trailer out from 'secure storage' to take the 1200S coupe to the NEC restoration show next week. After trying various wheels on it, the 8x13 5 spoke Compomotives fill the arches spot on. Will decide whether to go with cut standard springs or coilovers at the rear when I get the weight of engine & box in. Front is easy.. ride height is all about juggling the leaves in the transverse leaf spring. Next job is to assemble hubs & uprights on to Spring and top wishbone.


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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Mar 16, 2019 16:30:57 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Got it on 3 wheels before I was rained off. Will swap 8x13 ones to rear with 7x13s to front next time I get some time on it. Other photo is with my Rallye 2. …


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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Mar 17, 2019 18:07:42 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Now sits on its 4 wheels, Photo with my Rallye 2 and the Honda engine mated to a SIMCA box from the other green 1000 racer I once had. Will soon have to decide whether to fit that or go for a 1300 SIMCA engine either on DCOEs or with the supercharger.


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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 11, 2021 17:37:50 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Jan 15, 2019 17:13:39 GMT scmick said: Back to the SIMCA 1000. I'm well ahead with replacing the rusted areas and have adapted a cage I had to fit. The big arched fibreglass rear wings are new ones a past owner got from France but never fitted. Need some work to fit properly but will house the 8x13 wheels and above all, can't rust..!!


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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 11, 2021 17:47:19 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Just got back to this after 2 years.... time flies!! Inspiration came from sorting through my stock of SIMCA parts and finding the fibreglass front door skins from a SIMCA 1000 I raced in the '90s. Dug out a driver's front door and cut the rusty skin off. Cut out metal from bottom which holds water on original SIMCA and once fibreglass skin was trimmed to suit, and metal structure had been rust treated, set about bonding skin on. Some pop rivets were used and will need a bit of fibreglass work from the inside but with a Lexan 'glass' should save loads of weight.


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scmick Posted a lot Posts: 1,491	Lightweight SIMCA 1000 scmick @scmick
	Feb 15, 2021 20:22:31 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Fibreglass skinned door fitted, without original glass and winder mechanism is about 1/3 of the original weight. Will get a fixed lexan 'glass'. Also finished mounting big alloy rad which should help keep the supercharged engine cooler. It used to get seriously HOT back there when that engine was fitted in a previous SIMCA 1000 with the rear mounted rad.


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