1978 Simca 1000 - Rallye 3

Delivered new in Germany

One owner from new, original 8,200 kilometres

Unrestored, unwelded and highly original

With all original documents and accessories

One of 1,000 homologation cars

The Simca 1000 Rallye 2, with 86 hp, disc brakes all round and sporting equipment, had already made a name for itself in motor sport and was always good for a place near the front of its class. With the tuning kits offered by SRT (Simca Racing Team), the little Simcas became formidable competition machines.

In 1978 came the ultimate evolution, the Rallye 3. Between January and August, Simca built exactly 1,000 examples for homologation purposes, most of them finished in the special colour Ibiza White. To qualify for the popular Group 2 category, a production model had to be homologated and built in a minimum series of 1,000 examples. Thoroughly prepared with competition in mind, the Rallye 3 featured twin 40 mm Weber carburettors, a hotter camshaft, tubular exhaust manifold and sports exhaust, producing 103 hp at 6,200 rpm. Quicker steering, combined with Koni dampers and stiffer anti-roll bars, provided genuine go-kart handling. Beneath the characteristic wheelarch extensions sat 6 x 13-inch AMIL alloy wheels, shod with different tyre widths front and rear.

The special status of this limited series was recorded on a numbered “Série Spéciale” plaque on the dashboard, additionally engraved with the owner’s name.

In Germany, the Rallye 3 was never granted a general type approval. It was too loud, its exhaust protruded beyond the rear of the car and the wheelarch extensions were not sufficiently shatter-resistant in an accident. Only a very small number managed to obtain German registration through individual approval. The number of original survivors is believed to be correspondingly low. A genuine Rallye 3 can be identified by its chassis number, which must begin with S1ND8P.

This Rallye 3 was purchased by its first owner directly from Chrysler France in Paris immediately after the model’s introduction and delivered there on 27 February 1978. Its plaque bears number 926 – apparently the French decided to count backwards.

After being brought to Bavaria, the Simca was fitted with a roll cage and subsequently presented to the TÜV for individual approval. The inspectors approved it for German road use, recording the wheels, wheelarch extensions, exhaust system and roll cage in detail. Its buyer was actively involved in motor sport at the time and traded his Rallye 2 for the new Rallye 3. He equipped the Simca very much with its intended purpose in mind. Auxiliary lights gave it an unmistakable appearance, while a substantial aluminium plate protected the underside.

Its owner competed in various events with the Rallye 3. Even when he later moved into another class, however, he could not bring himself to part with his Simca. The car remained with him, while road use became increasingly infrequent until eventually little more than the occasional trip to the technical inspection remained.

In 2020, the consignor was able to acquire this little competition machine. The odometer showed a mere 6,500 kilometres at the time; today it has covered only around 8,200 kilometres! This sensationally low mileage can be traced through invoices and technical-inspection records. The condition of the body is equally remarkable. The Simca escaped serious corrosion and remains unrestored and unwelded to this day.

Its history has deliberately been preserved. Signs of use from its active motor-sport days are as much a part of its biography as a period-repaired excursion at the left rear and a second gear that has seen its share of punishment. Storage-related issues were rectified, while originality was consciously left intact.

The documentation includes the original service booklet and warranty card, together with the owner’s handbook and Simca dealer-network booklet. Naturally, the “Série Spéciale” plaque is also present. Invoices and other records, together with a technical data sheet, complete the file.

This Rallye 3 combines qualities very rarely found together in a homologation special: one of only 1,000 examples built, registered new in Germany, decades with its first owner, exceptionally low mileage and an outstanding state of preservation.

This Rallye 3 is an extraordinary time capsule from the era of European homologation specials – and in this combination, one that would be exceedingly difficult to find a second time.