Simca · 1975–1986

Simca 1307

The Chrysler Alpine, or Simca 1307, is a large family car produced by Chrysler Europe and subsequently PSA Peugeot Citroën from 1975 to 1986. Codenamed 'C6' in development, the car was styled in the United Kingdom by Roy Axe and his team at Whitley, and the car was engineered by Simca at Poissy in France. A modern, front-wheel drive hatchback, it was one of the earliest such cars in the large family class along with the Renault 20/Renault 30 and Volkswagen Passat, and became the 1976 European Car of the Year. It had been in development since 1972. The model was marketed variously as the Simca 1308 and 1309 models (with larger engines), Chrysler Alpine (UK, Ireland and New Zealand), Dodge Alpine (Colombia), Chrysler 150 (Spanish market), and later Talbot 1510 / Talbot Alpine / Talbot 150 (a facelifted version launched by PSA after its takeover of Chrysler Europe) and Talbot Solara (the saloon version).

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Simca 1300/1500 · Successor: Peugeot 405

All Simca 1307 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

History

Originally the car was powered by 1294 cc and 1442 cc versions of the "Poissy engine" with electronic ignition and a four-speed gearbox. From launch it was available in three trim levels: GL, S and GT. Equipment levels were high, with the later GLS version featuring central door locking and electric windows, accessories that up until then had only generally featured in larger more upmarket cars. Having won the Car of the Year award, it was initially a success both at home and in the export. Production levels shot up from a daily 400 at introduction in September 1975 to 850 in December of that year, to 1100 a day in late 1976. The 1307 (7 CV) had the smaller engine, while the 1308 (8 CV) received the larger version. Unlike the other models, the more sporting 1307 S received twin Weber carburettors in continental European markets to provide a more powerful and revvy engine while remaining in a lower tax category. In the UK, the 1307 S has the same single Solex carburettor as the GL. More upmarket models were designated 1308 (1508 in some markets, reflecting the size of the engine) and 1309 (similarly sold as a 1609 in a few markets). All of the models replaced the Simca 1301/1501 range in France, while on the British market it was sold alongside the ageing Hillman Hunter, a rear-wheel drive range of saloons and estates which would continue until 1979. This type of car was generally more popular in Britain in 1975, with the best-selling cars in this sector being the Ford Cortina and Morris Marina. The Chrysler Alpine was first sold in Britain in January 1976, going on sale just after the similar-sized Vauxhall Cavalier, a rear-wheel drive saloon which consistently outsold it. Styled by Roy Axe, the Simca 1307, along with the recently introduced Volkswagen Passat, was one

Manufacture

The car was originally manufactured at the Poissy plant in France, at the Ryton plant in the West Midlands, United Kingdom, from 1977 in Villaverde by Barreiros, a subsidiary of Chrysler Europe in Spain, and assembled from CKD kits by Todd Motors (later Mitsubishi Motors NZ) in New Zealand between 1977 and 1984. It was also assembled in Colombia as Dodge Alpine between 1978 and 1982 at the Chrysler Colmotores plant in Bogotá. Between 1979 and 1985 the car was also built by Saab-Valmet in Uusikaupunki factory in Finland. Saab-Valmet was only interested in building the smaller Horizon, but Simca-Talbot would only license that car if Valmet also agreed to assemble the larger 1307. The Finnish-made cars gradually introduced some local changes, including the option of a diesel engine, and featured many Saab interior parts. The most visible Saab-parts were the seats, which began to use Saab's internal structure at the time that the Talbot name replaced Simca. This change also allowed for the fitment of a heated driver's seat, which was not originally available. Talbot did not allow Valmet to export any Finnish-built cars; they were only meant for local sales. In New Zealand, Chrysler, Talbot, Alpine, and 1510 badges were used on the car during its lifetime, though it was officially in price lists as an Alpine, following the UK convention. In 1982 the car was facelifted and renamed "Talbot SX" there.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Chrysler Alpine

Manufacturer

Chrysler Europe (1975–1979), PSA Peugeot Citroën (1979–1986)

aka

Simca 1308/1309/1508/1609, Chrysler 150 (Spain), Chrysler Alpine (UK, Ireland, New Zealand), Dodge Alpine (Colombia), Talbot 1510/150, Talbot Alpine (UK, Ireland, New Zealand), Talbot Solara, Talbot SX

Production

1975–1986

Assembly

France: Poissy (Poissy plant), United Kingdom: Ryton-on-Dunsmore (Ryton plant), Spain: Madrid (Chrysler España), Colombia: Bogotá (Chrysler Colmotores), Finland: Uusikaupunki (Valmet Automotive), New Zealand: Porirua (Todd Motors)

Predecessor

Simca 1301/1501, Hillman Hunter

Successor

Peugeot 405

Class

Large family car (D)

Layout

FF layout

Engine

petrol:, 1294 cc Type 315 ohv I4, 1442 cc Type 315 ohv I4, 1592 cc Type 315 ohv I4, diesel:, 1905 cc XUD9 I4 (Finland)

Transmission

4 speed manual all-synchromesh, 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic

Wheelbase

102.5 in

Length

167 in

Width

66 in

Kerb weight

2314 lb

Related

Simca 1100, Simca Horizon

Designer

Roy Axe

sp

uk

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1550863CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_AlpineCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1376546355 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Simca_1307_GLS_1978.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: unknown, affiliated with Garage de l'Est, digitally modified and uploaded by User:328cia · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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