London Motor Show 1957 Simca stands report in Motor.

[Kenfuego]

1957 London motor show repoirts as written up on Motor. for those with these cars.

Simca Aronde Stand 118
Three saloons of deceptively modest appearance represent this branch of the Simca organization at Earls Court. Two, The Elysee four-door model and the two door pillarless Grand Large, have the 1,290 c.c. “Flash” engine which has proved not only powerful (In the Motor roads Test report the car showed a maximum speed of 82 m.p.h. ) but extremely durable. In May of this year an Aronde saloon put up new figures for the longest recognized international , averaging 72 m.p.h. for 100,000 km. Performance is, naturally enough, the talking point for the 1958 models, an even faster version has been introduced. The third model on the stand is the Montlhery , outwardly similar to the Eleysee, but equipped with the “Flash Special” engine, which though of the same dimensions , has its power increased from 48 b.h.p. to 57 b.h.p. at 5,200 r.p.m.
Speed apart the Simca is a French car of completely orthodox design, with typical French reputation handling qualities which appeal particularly to the enthusiastic driver.
Elysee 1.3 litres, 48 b.h.p. four door saloon. Grand Large 1.3 litres, 48 b.h.p. ; two door pillarless saloon. Montlhery 1.3 litres 57 b.h.p. ; four door saloon. Concessionaires Fiat (England) Ltd Water Road Wembley , Middlesex.

Simca Vedette stand 129
As this division of the Simca Group was originally taken over from Ford, it is not surprising that the two new models on show have the most markedly American look in France. Mechanically similar to the old Vedettes except for detail changes , they have virtually all new bodies of greater length, with high tail fins and a wrap-around windscreen which improves visibility without obstructing entry to the car.
The V8 side-valve engine has compression ratio raised to 7.5: 1, increasing its output to 84 b.h.p. More important are wheels of 15 in instead of the 13 in diameter , in which larger brakes have been installed. Optional equipment on the Beaulieu and Chambord is two pedal control by the Ferlec-Gravina automatic clutch. A Marly estate car completes the show.
Beaulieu and Chambord 2.4 litres, 84 b.h.p. ; four door saloon, Marly 2.4 |\litres, 80 b.h.p. ; four-door station wagon. Concessionairs Fiat (England ) Ltd Water Road , Wembley Middlesex.

Incidently thgis was the years that the Edsall was also displayed as a matter of interest.

 

[Stew H]

Can a Simca person provide details of the Ferlec Gravina clutch please?
Thanks in advance.
Stew

 

[JohnW]

No answer came the swift reply!! I'd guess it is the same as the Ferlec (French Ferodo Electric) we know and love, but who knows?

 

[panhard]

Ferlec gravina clutch

can a simca person provide details of the ferlec gravina clutch please?
Thanks in advance.
Stew

the attached information might be of assistance.

Jp simca man

 

[JohnW]

That's an epicyclic overdrive on the back of a three-speed box? Very interesting - never seen "Rushmatic" before. Many thanks and regards!

 

[Stew H]

Thanks Panhard, interesting.
I don't see FERLEC anywhere so think it is another system.
The Ferlec electromagnetic clutch used by Renault in the mid - late 1950's had no link to "Gravina" and is in a different market to the v8 vedette.
Hence the query?

Stew.

 

[Stew H]

Hi All,
Located the patent for the FERLEC GRAVINA clutch. Whereas the Renault Ferlec is electromagnetic, the clutch proposed to be used in the Simca Vedette was both electromagnetic and Centrifugal. Yes, 2 clutch systems. The centrifugal used for 1st and reverse and the EM clutch for 2nd and 3rd.
Electric control was to be more advanced with the system altering throttle setting at the carb to match the newly selected gear.
However, a fancy new automatic clutch would only be a good as the gearbox, and the later 'Rushmatic' overdrive arrangement shows something better in the gearbox department was needed.
I could not find an actual photo of car fitted with system so the option may have been deleted before any were made, hence became long forgotten. Happy to be corrected if wrong.
Cheers,
Stew

 

[JohnW]

Hi All, Located the patent for the FERLEC GRAVINA clutch. Whereas the Renault Ferlec is electromagnetic, the clutch proposed to be used in the Simca Vedette was both electromagnetic and Centrifugal. Yes, 2 clutch systems. The centrifugal used for 1st and reverse and the EM clutch for 2nd and 3rd. Electric control was to be more advanced with the system altering throttle setting at the carb to match the newly selected gear. However, a fancy new automatic clutch would only be a good as the gearbox, and the later 'Rushmatic' overdrive arrangement shows something better in the gearbox department was needed. I could not find an actual photo of car fitted with system so the option may have been deleted before any were made, hence became long forgotten. Happy to be corrected if wrong. Cheers, Stew

Just home Stewart, so just have seen this. Wow, what a system! Thanks for that posting. I might call on a French Connection (not a Cavanagh one!!) and see whether he knows anything or can produce a document for us. How interesting! Another of the early alternatives to Borg Warner eh? Doesn't seem to stir the imagination of too many of us out here does it.....

 

[Stew H]

Hi John, very true, few fans in Aus, even less actually online!

I didn't actually know how small the v8 was! Or that it was still side valve/ flathead in the late 1950's. The Renault 85 sidevalve 4 was actually a larger capacity.......

SIMCAMATIC was the two pedal automatic clutch system that came out instead on both Vedette and Aronde models. If your contact could provide any info on how this system worked, would be of interest.

Cheers
Stew.