Simca Sport 8 Cabriolet

The Sport version of the Simca 8 was first introduced in 1949. Bodied in beautiful coupé or cabriolet coachwork designed by Stabilimenti Farina and crafted in alluminium by Facel Metallon, the 8 Sport boasted an engine tuned initially for 50bhp, gaining an extra 2bhp when its capacity was increased from 1,100cc to 1,200cc for 1950. Not surprisingly, with such favourable credentials the Simca 8 Sport proved outstandingly successful in competition; Amédée Gordini’s team in particular dominated the 1,100cc class in classic long-distance events of the day, making a lasting impression on the young Jean-Pierre Beltoise, for whom the 8 Sport became one of his three ‘dream cars’, the others being the MG TF and Triumph TR2.