Topic: Solved - NEH 896: Simca 936 prototype for 1100 - 1966

[Carnut]

Time for some New Year puzzles.
For 1 point, what is this car?

[Wendax]

Simca 936 from 1960, prototype, leading the way to the Simca 1100, being a 5-door-hatchback with transversally mounted engine (52 hp).

[Carnut]

Simca 936 from 1960, prototype, leading the way to the Simca 1100, being a 5-door-hatchback with transversally mounted engine (52 hp).

That's the car, although I had it from slightly later..
Don't think hatchbacks had been invented in 1960?!

[DeAutogids]

Hatchback's invention needs definition. But mostly the date mentioned is used from production models, not concepts.

[Allemano]

Wow never heard of this before! Very progressive in its time. (the year differs, though  )
And it's still with us:

[Carnut]

Hatchback's invention needs definition. But mostly the date mentioned is used from production models, not concepts.

Yes, that's true but you could argue about it forever!
I believe the Simca 1100 was not announced until 1968, so it definitely wasn't at the prototype stage in 1960; but it probably was in 1966.
It's generally accepted that the first production hatchback (as we know it today anyway) was the Autobianchi Primula.  There had been conversions with lift-up rears before then, as there had been cars with opening rears top and bottom like the Austin A40 Countryman, but these were either not known as 'hatchbacks', not production cars or not hatchbacks in today's convential sense.
But as I said, I'm sure plenty would come along and argue with all that!

[DeAutogids]

Apparently, the term originates from 1970 onwards...

[Wendax]

Well, I think, you're right. I found a picture in the net, showing the surviving prototype, having a pseudo number plate like the one on the original photo, but reading SIMCA "1963". The car is part of a collection called Collection de l'Aventure Automobile à PoissY, CAAPY. The information table there says "production year 1960". As I strolled a litte bit through the net, I found two other hints. On the British Rootes-Chrysler pages, it is told, that the Project 928 from 1962 lead to the development of the Simca 1100. And Philippe B. de l'Arc names the 936 as an potential successor for the Simca 1000, what seems to make sense, if you compare the 936 to the length of a Simca 1100. Who cann tell the ultimate truth?

[Carnut]

Apparently, the term originates from 1970 onwards...

Maybe, I can't remember..

The Primula dates from 1963 of course but was not marketed widely outside Italy, so I never saw the term hatchback in connection with that car except nowadays.
The first fully marketed hatchback was, I believe, the Renault 16 and it was that car which popularised the idea with buyers and with other manufacturers like Austin rushing to produce competitors like the Maxi (I say rushing as Austin had a habit of doing that, using the public to do their testing for them rather than getting the product right first...!)

[Allemano]

I think the car has many design elements referring to later Renault (R16, R5) rather than later Simcas.

[Wendax]

Open bonnet pic

[wingroad]

I know Robert Opron of Citroen fame did the initial designs for what became the 1100 when he worked at Simca.So maybe he influenced the 936

[Carnut]

Different view: