Simca Rallye 2

Simca (Société Industrielle de Mécanique et Carrosserie Automobile) was a French automaker, founded in November 1934 by Fiat. It was directed from July 1935 to May 1963 by the Italian Henri Théodore Pigozzi (born Enrico Teodoro Pigozzi, 1898–1964). Simca was affiliated with Fiat, but later, when Simca bought Ford's French branch, became increasingly controlled by the Chrysler Group, in 1970 becoming a part of Chrysler Europe and a brand rather than independent company. In 1978, Chrysler divested its European operations to another French automaker, PSA Peugeot Citroën, which replaced the Simca marque with Talbot, thus ending the life of the brand (although some models were badged as Simca-Talbots for a time).

During most of its post-war activity, Simca was one of the biggest automobile manufacturers and most popular automobile brands in France. The Simca 1100 was for some time the best-selling car in France, while the Simca 1307 and Simca Horizon won the coveted European Car of the Year title in 1976 and 1978, respectively — these models were badge engineered as products of other marques in some countries. Simca vehicles were also manufactured by Simca do Brasil in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, and Barreiros (another Chrysler subsidiary) in Spain. They were also assembled in Chile, Colombia^{[citation needed]} and the Netherlands ^[1] during the Chrysler era.

Foundation[link]

Henri Théodore Pigozzi (born Teodoro Enrico Pigozzi) was active in the automotive business in the early 1920s when he met Fiat founder, Giovanni Agnelli. They began business together in 1922 with Pigozzi acting as a scrap merchant, buying old automobile bodies and sending them to Fiat for recycling.^[2] Two years later Pigozzi became Fiat's General Agent in France, and in 1926 SAFAF (Société Anonyme Français des Automobiles Fiat) was founded. In 1928, SAFAF started the assembly of Fiat cars in Suresnes near Paris, and licensed the production of some parts to local suppliers. By 1934, as many as 30,000 Fiat cars were sold by SAFAF.^[3]

SIMCA[link]

The SIMCA (Société Industrielle de Mécanique et de Carrosserie Automobile) company was founded in 1935 by Fiat, when Fiat bought the former Donnet factory in the French town of Nanterre.^[2]

The first cars produced were Fiat 508 Balillas and Fiat 518 Arditas, but with Simca-Fiat 6CV and 11CV badges. They were followed in 1936 by the Simca Cinq or 5CV, a version of the Fiat Topolino, and in 1937 by the Huit or 8CV version of the Fiat 508C-1100. Production of the 6CV and 11CV stopped in 1937, leaving the 5CV and the 8CV in production until the outbreak of World War II. Despite France's being occupied, Simca cars continued to be produced in small numbers throughout the war.

With peace, production resumed in 1946 with the pre-war Cinq (5CV) and Huit (8CV), but a new car arrived in 1948 with the Simca 6 with overhead valve 570 cc engine ahead of the equivalent Fiat.

Aronde and Ford SAF takeover[link]

The Simca Aronde, launched in 1951, was the first true Simca car as opposed to a Fiat design. It had a 1200 cc engine and its production reached 100,000 units yearly. Following this success, Simca took over the French truck manufacturers Unic in 1951, and Saurer in 1956, the Poissy plant of Ford SAF in 1954. The Poissy plant had ample room for expansion, which duly took place so that Simca production in France was focused on a single plant, permitting the old Nanterre plant to be sold in 1961.^[4]

The Ford purchase also added the V-8 powered Ford Vedette range to the Simca stable. This model continued to be made and progressively upgraded, but now with Simca badges and various names, until 1962 in France and 1967 in Brazil. An Aronde-powered version was also made in 1957 and called the Ariane which because of its economy combined with a large body was popular as a taxi.

In 1958 Simca bought the Talbot brand from Talbot-Lago.

Fulgur[link]

The Simca Fulgur was a concept car designed in 1958 by Robert Opron for Simca and first displayed at the 1959 Geneva Auto Show.^[5] It was also displayed at the New York Auto Show, and the 1961 Chicago Auto Show. The concept car was intended to show what cars in the year 2000 would look like. It was to be atomic powered, voice controlled, guided by radar, and use only two wheels balanced by gyroscopes when driven at over 150 kph.^[6] Fulgur is Latin for flash or lightning. Another translation is lensman.

Chrysler[link]

In 1958 the American car manufacturer Chrysler Corporation, which wanted to enter the European car market, bought 15% of the Simca stocks from Ford in a deal which Henry Ford II was later reported as having publicly regretted.^[4] At this stage, however, the dominant shareholder remained Fiat, and their influence is apparent in the engineering and design of Simcas of that period such as the 1000 and 1300 models introduced respectively in 1961 and 1963.^[4] However, in 1963 Chrysler increased their stake to a controlling 64% by purchasing stock from Fiat,^[2] and they subsequently extended that holding further to 77%.^[4] Even in 1971 Fiat retained a 19% holding, but by now they had long ceased to play an active role in the business.^[4]

Also, in 1964 Chrysler bought the British manufacturer Rootes thus putting together the basis of Chrysler Europe.^[2] All the Simca models manufactured after 1967 had the Chrysler pentastar logo as well as Simca badging. In 1961 Simca started to manufacture all of its models in the ex-Ford SAF factory in Poissy and sold the factory at Nanterre to Citroën. The rear-engined Simca 1000 was introduced in 1961 with its sporting offspring, the Simca-Abarth in 1963. The 1000 also served as the platform for the 1000 Coupe, a handsome sports coupe sporting a Bertone-designed body by Giorgetto Giugiaro and 4-wheel disc brakes. It debuted in 1963 and was described by Car Magazine as "the world's neatest small coupe". 1967 saw the more powerful 1200S Bertone Coupe that, with a horsepower upgrade in 1970, could reach the dizzying speed of almost 112 mph (180 km/h), making it the fastest standard production Simca ever built.^[7] In 1967 a much more up to date car, the 1100, appeared with front wheel drive and independent suspension all round, and continued in production until 1979. On 1 July 1970 the company title was formally changed to Chrysler France.

Collapse of Chrysler Europe[link]

The most successful pre-Chrysler Simca models were the Aronde, the Simca 1000 and the front engined 1100 compact car. During the late 1970s Chrysler era, Simca produced the new 160/180 saloon, 1307 range (Chrysler Alpine in the UK) and later the Horizon (Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon in the USA), both of which were European Car of the Year on their launch. However, Chrysler's forced marriage of Simca and Rootes was not a happy one: Chrysler Europe collapsed in 1977 and the remains were sold to Peugeot the following year. The Rootes models were quickly killed off, and the Simca-based Alpine/1307 and Horizon soldiered on through the first half of the 1980s using the resurrected Talbot badge. The last car to carry the Simca badge was the 1980 Solara, a 1307 with a boot, but by 1981 this had become a Talbot, thus ending the Simca marque entirely.^{[citation needed]}

Afterlife[link]

Peugeot eventually abandoned the Talbot brand, and the last Simca design was launched as Peugeot 309 (instead of Talbot Arizona as had been originally planned). The Peugeot 309 used Simca engines until October 1991 (some 18 months before the end of production) when they were replaced by PSA's own TU and XU series of engines. The 309 was produced at the former Rootes factory in Ryton-on-Dunsmore, UK, as well as in the Poissy plant.

Simcas can still be seen on the road in several European countries and were also manufactured in Brazil, Spain and Finland.

A Brazilian made Simca Chambord, used on the TV series "Vigilante Rodoviário" (1961-1962)

The last Simca-based car to cease production was the Horizon-based Dodge Omni, which was built in the USA until 1990, its European equivalent having been axed three years earlier when the Talbot name was finally discontinued on passenger cars.^[8]

Models[link]

• Simca 5
• Simca 6
• Simca 8
• Simca 9
• Simca 11
• Simca Gordini Type 15 (Grand Prix racing car)
• Simca Aronde
• Simca Ariane
• Simca Vedette (also manufactured in license by Simca do Brasil with the names Simca Chambord, Simca Alvorada, Simca Profissional and Simca Présidence)
• Simca Jangada (Brazilian model)
• Simca Esplanada (Brazilian model)
• Simca Regente (Brazilian model)
• Simca Tufão (Brazilian model)
• Simca GTX (Brazilian model)
• Simca 1000
• Simca 1000 Bertone Coupe
• Simca 1100
• Simca 1300/1500-1301/1501
• Simca 1200S Bertone Coupe
• Chrysler-Simca 1609/1610/2-Litre
• Matra-Simca Bagheera
• Matra-Simca Rancho
• Simca 1307/1308/1309/1510
• Simca Horizon
• Talbot-Simca Solara

References[link]

Bibliography[link]

• « Simca - L'aventure de l'hirondelle », by Adrien Cahuzac, Editions E-T-A-I, 2008.
• « Simca - De Fiat à Talbot» (Préface de Jacques Loste), by Michel G. Renou, Editions E-T-A-I, 1999.
• « Guide Simca - Tous les modèles de 1965 à 1980», by Michel G. Renou, Editions EPA, 1995
• " Guide Simca - Tous les modèles de 1934 à 1964", by Bruno Poirier, Editions EPA, 1994.
• « Simca - Toute l'histoire», by Michel G. Renou, Editions EPA, 1984, re-issued 1994.
• « Aronde - Le Grand livre» (Préface de Caroline Pigozzi), by Michel G. Renou, Editions EPA, 1993.
• " Simca - Un appétit d'oiseau", by Jacques Rousseau, Editions Jacques Grancher, 1984. Re-issued 1996, Editions Rétroviseur.

External links[link]

• A capsule history of the marque
• Brazilian Simcas' history
• Simca 1000 rallye de légende
• Simca Fulgur

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The Pink Spiders is an American rock band, formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2003.^[1] The band consists of Matt Friction (lead vocals, guitar), Brandon Jazz (bass), and Bob Ferrari (drums).

Matt Friction and Bob Ferrari recruited Jon Decious (bass) and released their first EP, The Pink Spiders Are Taking Over!, in 2004. The group toured around the Nashville area and an independent label released their debut album, Hot Pink, in 2005.^[2]

The Pink Spiders performed at The Viper Room in West Hollywood on March 2, 2005, after which they were signed by Geffen Records. Their major-label debut, Teenage Graffiti was produced by Ric Ocasek and released in 2006. Promotion and the single "Little Razorblade" landed Teenage Graffiti on the Billboard 200.^[3] The group also made several television appearances and played at the Vans Warped Tour.

The relationship between the group and Geffen faltered during the making of their album, Sweat It Out. Disagreements over money led Decious and Ferrari to leave the band. Sweat It Out was released independently in September 2008. The Pink Spiders went on hiatus in 2009 and all three members pursued other musical projects.^[4]

Friction, Decious, and Ferrari eventually reunited and performed at The Viper Room in June 2010; Friction officially announced their return.^[4] The group released a two-track single and completed the "2 Legit 2 Quit Tour" in 2011.

History[link]

Creating the group, touring, and finding a label (2003 - 2004)[link]

In 2003, Matthew Bell (known as "Matt Friction") led the Nashville quartet, Silent Friction, and performed around the Nashville area. He occasionally filled in on guitar for Oliver's Army, where Robert William Fort V (known as "Bob Ferrari") played drums.^[5]

Friction and Ferrari decided to make music together. They recruited Jon Decious on bass and a second guitarist, Jamie Mecham. Mecham was eventually dismissed from the group. The trio contemplated several names, including: "The Pink Tigers" and "The Pink Diablos". They settled on "The Pink Spiders".^[6]

The Pink Spiders recorded their first EP three weeks later. According to Ferrari, the record can be described as "bubblegum" music. He said: "We didn't try to sound like anyone. We just stole from everyone. That's what good artists do in my opinion." The Pink Spiders Are Taking Over! (2004) was influenced by The Ramones, The Dead Boys, Buddy Holly, and the Bay City Rollers. The band's live debut consisted of a sold-out show in Nashville.^[6]

Friction was a booking agent for The Muse and used that knowledge to find shows for the band. Meanwhile, Ferrari worked as a substitute teacher and the group donated plasma to fund their tours. The Pink Spiders also smoked a lot, a habit evident in promotional snapshots of the band. The group eventually befriended the band Sadaharu. It was through them that The Pink Spiders found a record label to release their debut studio album.^[6]

The Pennsylvania-based and independent label, CI Records, released Hot Pink on January 4, 2005. The album has the trademarks of 1960s teen pop; it features the pop of a needle, crackles, and even hisses in between tracks. New influences from artists such as Elvis Costello, Mötley Crüe, and Cheap Trick are apparent in Friction's songwriting. A vinyl version of the record was also released by Nashville's Spat! Records.

The band toured nonstop, battling the chaos offered by life on the road; their trailer caught on fire in Buffalo and the band slept in New York City subways when they had nowhere to sleep.

The Viper Room and a major-label contract (2005)[link]

An old friend of Friction, Jason Hollis, lived in Los Angeles and told the group about Dan Catullo, a producer. Catullo arranged a private show for the band at West Hollywood's The Viper Room, where they would perform for numerous major labels. The group asked their friend, Dave Paulson (frontman of The Privates), to play guitar with them at the show. He accepted. The four slept over at a living unit located above Catullo's recording studio.^[6]

Their performance on March 2, 2005 at The Viper Room was a success. "After the set, the curtains closed and Jordan Schur ran onstage. He was immediately stopped by security but just barreled through them," said Friction of the experience. Ferrari said he opened his arms, exclaiming, "I gotta have this band!!!" Schur was the CEO of Geffen Records.^[6]

Several weeks following the show, The Pink Spiders chose Geffen among 11 major-label offers. Walking into the offices of the recording company, the band was greeted by a pizza party. The contract was signed and each group member received $30,000 in pocket money. According to Decious, the label also took them to Six Flags. The three bandmates moved to Hollywood: Friction and Decious rented an apartment on Sunset Boulevard and Ferrari lodged at the Gershwin Hollywood Hotel.^[6]

Major-label debut (2006)[link]

Geffen hired Ric Ocasek, frontman of The Cars, to produce the group's major label debut. The Pink Spiders traveled to New York to commence recording at Electric Lady Studios. The group soon realized that they were not completely comfortable with the recording sessions. Ocasek disapproved of drinking in the studio and Friction was not granted the production control he was used to. The album was originally intended to be released in April 2006, but the date was pushed to August.^[6]

The first single off the album was "Little Razorblade"; its music video was directed by Joseph Kahn. Ferrari expressed his original intentions: "I wanted to be shooting dice. I wanted us in the jacuzzi with hot girls… like Rick James videos. Something just decadent and ridiculous. I wanted us going down the street in a limousine with a hot tub in the back, having a ball with girls who'd never talk to us unless we had money. 'Cause it's funny." The plot of the finished video did not match the drummer's intentions and he expressed disappointment: "It was just too much. No dude is gonna admit they like this band after seeing that."^[6]

The video debuted on MTV's Total Request Live in April 2006 and peaked at number 12. The song received heavy rotation on the video network, Fuse, and reached the top spot on the Los Angeles-based radio station, KROQ. It was featured on the reality television series The Hills and was played in the clothing store Hollister Co.

That year, The Pink Spiders performed on the Vans Warped Tour. They also competed with Angels & Airwaves, Blue October, Ima Robot, and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus to appear for their first possible television performance at Fashion Rocks '06, but Jared Leto's 30 Seconds to Mars garnered the votes necessary to win.

The Pink Spiders toured with many popular bands such as 30 Seconds to Mars, Good Charlotte, Yellowcard, Meg & Dia, All Time Low, Sugarcult, Damone, Kill Hannah, and Fall Out Boy in support of this album. The group was also listed as one of the "100 bands you need to know in 2006" by Alternative Press.

Teenage Graffiti was released on August 1, 2006, and peaked at number 84 on the Billboard 200.^[7] The album was praised by critics for its power-pop sound and catchy melodies.

Third album and hiatus (2007 - 2009)[link]

The Pink Spiders' third album was announced in late 2007 and was meant to be released in Spring 2008. Geffen hired Brendan O'Brien as the producer — his experience included work for musicians such as Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, and Bruce Springsteen. Friction wrote 25 songs for the album, of which half were approved for release.^[6]

The band bought a school bus which they intended to use for touring. On March 13, 2008, somewhere between Nashville and Atlanta, the bus burned to the ground along with their possessions. The group lost "clothes, laptops, passports, id's, ipods, cameras, receipts, cash, song lyrics, everything." They welcomed any donations. They missed shows at Atlanta and New Orleans, but announced that they would finish the rest of the tour.^[8]

As sole songwriter, Friction received full benefits from royalties. The band encountered disagreements over money and Decious and Ferrari announced they would no longer be members of The Pink Spiders. The two played a last show on June 18 in Charlotte, North Carolina. They formed the country-rock group, Dixie Whiskey, in the following months.^[6]

Friction recruited replacements for Decious and Ferrari — Raf Cevallos on guitar, Joe Reilly on drums, and Ben Young on bass. The new line-up made its live debut at Cave 9 in Birmingham, Alabama several days later.^[6]

The new Pink Spiders completed the Tapped Kegs, Spread Legs, & Fertilized Eggs tour. The tour-only exclusive, Subterranean EP, contained unreleased versions of "Teenage Graffiti" and "Knock Knock", "Gimme Chemicals" and "Sleeping On the Floor" from Sweat It Out, as well as the b-sides "Typical Danger" and "We Do It All The Time."

That year, The Pink Spiders officially dissolved their contract with Geffen. After much deliberation, Sweat It Out was finally released on September 23, 2008 by the independent record label, Mean Buzz Records.

In 2009, Friction announced an extended hiatus. He embarked on a variety of side projects, including Matt Friction & the Cheap Shots and The Dozen Dimes.

Return (2010 - present)[link]

In 2010, the group accepted an offer to play at the bar mitzvah of a fan who lived in Los Angeles. On June 20 they held a concert at The Viper Room and Friction announced their return. "We aren't at a place where it's [about] money," said the lead singer in an interview with the Nashville Scene. He also announced that they had resolved their differences, but that Decious would be pursuing other interests — Brandon Jazz assumed bassist duties.^[4]

The Pink Spiders released "Cherry Chapstick b/w Sad Style", a two-track single, on March 21, 2011. That spring they completed the "2 Legit 2 Quit Tour".

Television Appearances[link]

Between 2006 and 2008, The Pink Spiders appeared on MTV's Total Request Live, Discover and Download, and You Hear It First; as well as Fuse's Daily Download, Tattoo Stories, and Steven's Untitled Rock Show.

In May 2008, the Pink Spiders played for a Sweet 16 featured in Episode 6 of the Fourth Season of Hell's Kitchen.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Hot Pink (2005)
• Teenage Graffiti (2006)
• Sweat It Out (2008)

EPs[link]

• The Pink Spiders Are Taking Over! (2004)
• Subterranean EP (2008)

Singles[link]

• Little Razorblade (2006)
• The Chase (2007)
• Gimme Chemicals (2008)
• Cherry Chapstick b/w Sad Style (2011)

Notes[link]

References[link]

• De Vos, Cody (July 31, 2008). "Oh, What a Mangled Web We Leave". Nashville Scene. http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashville/oh-what-a-mangled-web-we-leave/Content?oid=1197327. Retrieved 2012 March 12. 
• Gold, Adam (April 28, 2011). "Three years after their major-label rollercoaster ride ground to a halt, The Pink Spiders return". Nashville Scene. http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashville/three-years-after-their-major-label-rollercoaster-ride-ground-to-a-halt-the-pink-spiders-return/Content?oid=2405741. Retrieved 2012 March 12. 

External links[link]

• The Pink Spiders Official Site
• the Pink Spiders - Bandcamp