Simca Ariane. 1957–63, 1965–7 (prod. 129,058 France only). 4-door saloon. F/R, 1290 cm³ (I4 OHV), 2351 cm³ (V8 SV). Simca continued with the old Vedette bodyshell, but put in its 1·3-litre Flash four, bridging the gap between the smaller Aronde and the larger Vedette. Hardly a fireball, given the small engine, though favoured by taxi drivers for the space. The V8 from the old Vedette was carried over for the Ariane 8 model in 1958, replacing the Trianon, to 1961. Five-bearing Rush four from 1961, developing 70 bhp. French production to 1963, though Metalmecánica SAIC of Argentina made the Ariane Miramas from 1965 to 1967.

Manufacturing locations: Poissy, Île-de-France, France; José C. Paz, Argentina

Marque: Simca | Predecessor: Simca Vedette (1954–7)

q.v. Simca Vedette (1957–61)