1951 Simca 8 Cabriolet

This 1951 Simca is a one-off 8 Sport Cabriolet wearing a Stabilimenti Farina design initially penned for the Cisitalia 202, reproportioned by Giovanni Michelotti to fit the Fiat 1100S chassis. The coachwork was handcrafted by Facel-Méttalon under the direction of Jean Daninos using aluminum and steel. Using an Abarth-prepared aluminum head, an Abarth exhaust, and an S.Co.T. (Societa Compressori Torino) supercharger with a twin-choke Weber carburetor, the four-cylinder Simca engine's 50 horsepower output was boosted to an estimated 90 to 100 bhp.

This Simca was built for its original owner, Roger Barlow of the United States. He was a founding member of the California Sports Car Club, owner of the International Motors dealership in Hollywood, California, and a leading writer for Road & Track, Autoweek, Motor Trend, and Car and Driver magazines, as well as the author of two books.

Farina accommodated Barlow's taste by designing custom aluminum bumpers, special stainless-steel rocker moldings, a functional hood scoop, three-piece aluminum wheel covers, and unique fender vents. The leather interior is denoted by 'Extra Lusso' badging on the coachwork, and there is a banjo steering wheel. Like all of Barlow's Simcas, there is a custom 'B' emblem on the rear bodywork.

After his passing in 1990, the car was stored by Barlow's daughter for decades. It was sold into new ownership in 2014 and given a thorough restoration by Dragone Classic Motorcars before being acquired by the current owner in 2015.

The 1,221cc overhead valve inline four-cylinder engine is paired with a four-speed manual transmission, and there are four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. At the front is an independent suspension with double wishbones and coil springs. A live axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs suspends the rear.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2023