Email
RSS
Twitter
Fascinating French Classic Cars: The Magnificent Simca Oceane
With this series on French cars of the ’50s and ’60s, discover the universe of Citroën, Facel-Véga, Panhard, Peugeot, Renault, Simca and their fascinating models. Today, a real beauty: the Simca convertible Océane.
For the 1956 Paris Motor Show, the Simca Sport was deeply restyled and became the “Océane” for the convertible and “Plein Ciel” for the coupé. Although the name Plein Ciel was not logical for a coupé, the name meaning open sky, those two cars really are magnificent. The “little Thunderbird” is derived from the Simca Aronde and the so elegant body with its tail fins was designed by Facel, that is to say perfection was reached one more time.
Design
Simca Océane, a magnificent convertible, 1958 version.
The most striking is the panoramic windshield, a real beauty giving the impression like on the Simca Chambord, “to drive in the heart of the landscape” as the advertisement of the time said. This style was widely used in the U.S.A. since the Cadillac 1953. That was a sort of challenge for Simca to adopt this windshield on a light sportscar. The radiator grille receives a fine meshing treated with chromium. And it is so good to take one’s seat behind the characteristic wheel of this marvellous car on the superb leather upholstery.
The Océane Convertible
Simca Océane, 1960. New radiator grille and linear meter on the dashboard.
The convertible Océane received the Aronde upgraded Flash Engine offering 57 hp (4 cylinders – 1290 cubic centimeters) and can reach 140 km/h, which is great for 1957. Its steering is very precise and light, its brakes are excellent.
Restyling
The leather seats, sumptuous wheel and dashboard with round meter of the Simca Océane 1958.
The policy of Simca being to restyle each year, the Océane receives aesthetic modifications and also on the engine. The radiator grill was modified in 1958 as well as the bumpers which were slightly lifted on the sides, the rear lamps were also changed. In 1959, appears the version called “S” for simplified, the leather seats are replaced by imitation, the bumpers are now straight, and the more luxurious models called “Grand Carrossier”.
The dashboard of the Aronde P60 was adopted in 1959. In 1960, the engine was again upgraded and reached 60 hp, whereas in 1961, the “Rush Super” engine delivered 62 hp and finally on the 1962 model the “Super M Rush” the engine gives 70 hp and the Océane reaches almost 150 km/h.
Very few however are so equipped, the production of the car having ended late 1961. The Océane and Plein Ciel was still sold until the summer of 1962. In all 11.540 models were registered, this is quite a good result, the models being expensive compared to the Renault Floride that was similar.
The Simca Océane in Pop Culture
Simca Océane, 1958, as seen from the rear.
Brigitte Bardot appeared in a red Simca Océane in the movie “la Parisienne”, chasing a black Citroën DS. The Océane was the last fabulous convertible by Simca, my favorite name in French automotive industry.
Liked it
Digg
Del.icio.us
Mixx
Stumble
September 02, 2009
Excellent work my friend. Car design is not my area, but I found this very informative and enjoyable. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
September 02, 2009
Nice article! I love those classic cars!
September 02, 2009
Very American in its styling, yes. It’s a pity that the company was swallowed up (by what is now the PSA Group) and the name lost to history. Great article Francois.
September 02, 2009
Those are beautiful cars, I am partial to red.
September 02, 2009
Great post! like it
September 02, 2009
These cars are really hot! I like the red one.
September 02, 2009
This is indeed a magnificent car.
Thank you all for your comments.
September 02, 2009
The oceane convertible is nice
September 02, 2009
Proud to own one Oceane in red – my mother got it in 1957 from my Grandfather and since then it is running for the family …. a pleasure to drive
September 02, 2009
Please check out my related articles on Simca and Facel Véga. Thank you.
September 02, 2009
Love the lines on these cars who make all the lights for the 1961 plein ciel
September 02, 2009
Thank you Kevin. This Simca Oceane is one of my favourites with the Chambord.
Cheers,
François
September 02, 2009
Thank you very much for this awesome article. I’ve read id only a few months now and maybe they are always very informative. Thanks!
September 02, 2009
thanks a lot for this magnificent article
September 02, 2009
I owned a white 1958 Oceane before arriving in the US, I can only say that this has been one of the most enjoyable car I have ever owned. I lived in ” the very scenig town of le Mont Dore in the Auvergne region of France that summer of 1965 and driving late at night with the top down through the mountains, valleys, lakes and the old ruins was an incredible experience. The smell of flowers, grass,and trees along with the sounds of nature in the wee hours were some of the things I will cherish for ever. The beautiful sleek Oceane humming along gingerly made it that much more pleasurable. Later in the US, I was lucky enough to own amzing cars, 1959 Ford Galaxy, 1960 Tbird and a 1963 Chevy Impala ( White convertibles all of them ) Yes those cars were bigger smoother and much more powerful. But I will always have a special place in my heart for that little ( and very beautiful ) Oceane, I was young, full of hope then and the sky was the limit.
September 02, 2009
Thank you Michael for your beautiful message and for sharing your memories with us. The Simca Océane is a very elegant car! one of my favorites. Best wishes.
September 02, 2009
Fascinating posting, thank you sir/ma’am. Bookmarked.
September 02, 2009
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site so i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to enhance my site!! I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!! Here is a link to my site , what do u think of it? Feedback would be appreciated
SeoTräume
September 02, 2009
Hello Seo, Thanks for your message and interest. I agree that you publish some extracts of my articles, as long as you give the links to read them in full.
Best regards,
François
September 02, 2009
Do you want to know what are pool tables or billiard tables? Then let me inform you about the billiards game and also the necessity of the pool table in the game.
September 02, 2009
Better Way Sales Strategies will work with your sales teams on your most critical sales opportunities.
September 02, 2009
For jobs after 7am we give only a two hour timeframe so that you don’t have to wait around all day. In the rare event that our tradesman is unavoidably held up, even if only by 5 minutes, we call to let you know.
September 02, 2009
3728495 beers on the wall.
September 02, 2009
Hello, I am the nephew of Enrico T. Pigozzi, founder and president of Simca. I am trying to find a good print of the photograph showing Brigitte Bardot with short hair lying down on the hood of a red Simca Océane. (A car you rightly love. My father who was also an executive for Simca had a black one with red interior). I would truly appreciate your help!
September 02, 2009
Hello Yan, I sent you a message via your site. I’ll be glad to help you.
Best regards,
François
September 02, 2009
Dear François,
Thank you for your offer to help with my request. Unfortunately, I did not receive the e-mail you sent through my site as I currently have some problems with that e-mail address. Could you please send me back your message to yannascimbene@gmail.com?
My cousin, Caroline Pigozzi, has a nice Simca private museum in Paris. (I could arrange for you to meet her and see the museum, if interested). She would like to have that photo of BB stretched out on a red Simca Océane, and I would love a copy as well! I tried t get one through the web-site dedicated to the photographer, but they want a ridiculous amount of money.
Thank you so much for your help! I am most grateful.
Yan (Je peux sans doute vous écrire en français?)
Yan
September 02, 2009
dfboobuijohgpsdbst, finish line coupon, lqQZoXY, [url=http://spunoffers.com/]finish line coupon[/url], aAyUrwG, http://spunoffers.com/ finish line coupons, qRmEgKw.
September 02, 2009
ttsarbuijohgpsdbst, Cialis vs viagra, VXEErpX, [url=http://www.redelectric.com/about_us/index.html]Cialis[/url], VMykYDO, http://www.redelectric.com/about_us/index.html Cialis pill, btrZJrB.
September 02, 2009
epbxwbuijohgpsdbst, Dapoxetin, QWJcwBh, [url=http://www.lowpriceddapoxetine.com/]Discount priligy[/url], hPoclcY, http://www.lowpriceddapoxetine.com/ Treatment for early ejaculation, qemYLrn.
September 02, 2009
What i do not understood is in fact how you’re not really much more well-liked than you may be right now. You are very intelligent. You know thus considerably in the case of this matter, made me individually believe it from so many various angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be involved until it is something to do with Lady gaga! Your personal stuffs nice. At all times take care of it up!