Simca 1000 Rallye 2

Simca 1000 Rallye 2

The Simca 1000 Rallye 2 was France's answer to the BMW 2002 and Alfa Romeo GTV, using a completely different approach: rear-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive. The standard Simca 1000 was a modest rear-engined family car (think Fiat 850-sized), but the Rallye versions transformed it into a genuine performance machine. The Rallye 2, with its 1,294cc engine bored and tuned to produce 103 hp through twin Weber 40DCOE carburetors, was a particularly ferocious device. Weighing just 790 kg, it had a power-to-weight ratio that could humble much more expensive sports cars. The rear-engine layout gave outstanding traction for launching off the line, and the car proved devastatingly effective in Group 2 rallying, particularly on French events where drivers understood its unique handling characteristics. The Rallye 2 was recognizable by its matt black bonnet (hood), spoilers, and wider wheels. Inside, it was stripped-out and purposeful. The handling was, famously, 'interesting' — massive rear-end grip in steady-state cornering but with a tendency toward snap oversteer that could catch the unwary. For enthusiasts who mastered its character, the Simca 1000 Rallye 2 offered one of the most exciting driving experiences of the 1970s.