Simca Chrysler 180

Simca Chrysler 180

The Simca Chrysler 180 — known simply as the Chrysler 180 in most markets — represents one of the most ambitious and ultimately frustrating corporate automotive projects of the 1970s. When Chrysler took full control of both Simca in France and the Rootes Group in Britain, the American company attempted to rationalize its European operations by creating a single car that could be sold across all markets. The 180/2 Litre was the result.

The car was developed primarily in France with input from Chrysler UK. It used a 2.0-liter overhead-cam four-cylinder engine that was smooth and refined but unexciting, producing 97 horsepower. The engine drove the rear wheels through a four-speed manual or optional three-speed Borg-Warner automatic gearbox. The chassis was conventional: MacPherson strut front suspension and a live rear axle located by semi-trailing arms.

The Chrysler 180's design was competent but anonymous — a clean, three-box sedan that could have come from almost any manufacturer. This was both its strength and its weakness. The car was comfortable, reasonably spacious, and well-equipped for its price. The ride quality was good by the standards of the era, and the interior was trimmed to a decent standard with options including automatic transmission and air conditioning.

But the 180 lacked the character that distinguished its rivals. The Peugeot 504 offered superior ride quality and Pininfarina styling. The Citroën GS had innovative hydropneumatic suspension and aerodynamic design. The BMW 2002 provided genuine driver engagement. Against these distinctive competitors, the 180's competence was not enough.

The car was produced at both Poissy in France and Ryton in England, which created its own problems — French-built and British-built cars had subtle differences in quality and specification that confused the market. The car was also sold under various names: Simca 1610, Chrysler 180, Chrysler 2 Litre, and eventually Talbot 1610 after Peugeot acquired Chrysler Europe in 1978.

Today the Chrysler 180 is an extremely rare sight. Most were scrapped decades ago, victims of rust and indifference. Survivors are sought after primarily by enthusiasts of 1970s European motoring who appreciate the car's honest, unpretentious character. It is a footnote in the complex history of European Chrysler operations.