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The 'Simca 1307' was the name under which Chrysler Europe launched its new large family car in 1975. A modern, front-wheel drive hatchback, it was one of the first such cars in that class, along with the Volkswagen Passat, and became the 1976 European Car of the Year. The model was sold under a variety of names, including 'Simca 1308' and '1309' models (with larger engines), 'Chrysler Alpine' (name used for the UK market), 'Chrysler 150' (Spanish market), 'Talbot 1510 / Talbot Alpine / Talbot 150' (a facelifted version launched by PSA after its takeover of Chrysler Europe) and 'Talbot Solara' (the saloon version, also launched in 1980, and briefly known in some markets as the 'Simca Solara').
More upmarket models were designated 1308 (1508 in some markets) and 1309. It was voted European Car of the Year in 1975. In the United Kingdom, the car was known as the Chrysler Alpine. Styled by Roy Axe, the Simca 1307, along with the recently introduced Volkswagen Passat, was one of several full-size European family hatchback inspired by the Renault that had defined the sector back in 1965. In the 1970s the most popular mid-size cars in Europe were still traditional sedans like Ford Taunus, Ford Cortina, Opel Ascona (Vauxhall Cavalier) and Peugeot 305. The car was originally manufactured in Poissy in France and in Ryton in the United Kingdom. Between 1979 and 1985 the car was built also in the production lines of Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki factory in Finland.
In 1980 the car, which was now sold under the Talbot-brand, received a facelift. The new model was known as the Talbot 1510 (the Talbot Alpine name was used in the UK). A saloon version, called the Talbot Solara, was released that year, and produced alongside the hatchback version.
In New Zealand, both 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 renamed SX on the New Zealand market.
French manufacturing of 1510, Alpine and Solara, along with the smaller Horizon, ended in 1985. In the United Kingdom the last cars were rebadged as the Rapier and Minx which were badged depending on trim level rather than body style. The names were sourced from the corporate ancestor of Chrysler Europe, the Rootes Group, having been used on the Sunbeam Rapier and Hillman Minx. Supply of these models was limited and in 1986 production ceased, with the Talbot marque being shelved soon afterwards on all passenger vehicles.

Some sources argue that the Russian Moskvitch Aleko (1989-2002) bears striking resemblance to the 1307 and therefore it might be possible that the Russian engineers copied more or less of the Simca's construction.

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External links

External links

★ www.1307-1308.org

★ Simca Talbot Information Centre, featuring Chrysler Alpine and SIMCA 1307 / 1308, Talbot Alpine / Talbot 1510 and Talbot Solara

★ Chrysler Alpine and related models @ Rootes-Chrysler.co.uk

★ Club del Chrysler 150

★ Simca Automobile Club Netherlands (in English and Dutch)