Solved - NEH 2418: Fiat 122 project later to become Simca 1000

[Carnut]

Identify this car correctly and what it developed into, for 1 point:

ANYONE FOUND GIVING ANSWERS GLEANED BY USING GOOGLE SEARCH BY IMAGE MAY BE BANNED FOR AN INDETERMINATE PERIOD!

[Carnut]

Experts?

[kwgibbs]

Fiat connection?

[mekubb]

Simca 1000 related ?

[als15]

It's a prototype of the Fiat 122 project. Initially it was supposed to become the 850, but later was stopped in favour of the easier 100G project, derivated from the 600.
Being a good job, Simca took it and based upon it the development of the 1000.

[qwaszx]

I've seen this before as the mario revelli designed simca 1000...

[mymokke]

I've seen this before listed as SIMCA's project 950, the direct prototype that became the 1000 in 1961. Temporarily considered to be named "Arielle" to go with the other SIMCA cars "Aronde" and "Ariene".

[Iluvatar]

I know it as Fiat 122, as als15 said before...

[Carnut]

Yes, as als15 and Iluvatar say it's the Fiat 122 project which went on to become the Simca 1000.
I don't have my files with me so I'll just check tonight if I have any other info/pictures before I award points and move this one to Solved.

[Carnut]

I've seen this before as the mario revelli designed simca 1000...

Mario Revelli di Beaumont?  Not sure about that..

I've seen this before listed as SIMCA's project 950, the direct prototype that became the 1000 in 1961. Temporarily considered to be named "Arielle" to go with the other SIMCA cars "Aronde" and "Ariene".

That's interesting; haven't seen the name "Arielle" before but will have to look into it.

It's a prototype of the Fiat 122 project. Initially it was supposed to become the 850, but later was stopped in favour of the easier 100G project, derivated from the 600.
Being a good job, Simca took it and based upon it the development of the 1000.

This is exactly what I was looking for so it's a point to als15.  Well done.

[mymokke]

The following was excerpted from a history of the SIMCA 1000 website.

[During the winter of 1959-1960, Fiat's Project 122 was dropped from SIMCA's plan after it became clear that the company's own effort would be more suitable, this leaving Projet 950 a clear run to production. Now that the small car plan was focused around solely around Projet 950, the new car development moved forwards rapidly. By the spring of 1960, Projet 950 prototypes were in circulation, acting as mobile testbeds for varying mechanical configurations]

I can forward the site for your review if necessary.

[als15]

Dante Giacosa says something else. If my French friends are not offended ( ) I'd say that is hard to admit for them that a good French project is actually Italian.
They already have to deal with the fact that the best Citorens have been styled by Flaminio Bertoni (Italian) and Simca chief stylist was Mario Revelli (Italian)...  

About the picture, however, I think it's the 122 and not the 950, due to the Fiat 600 wheels.

[75america]

They already have to deal with the fact that the best Citorens have been styled by Flaminio Bertoni (Italian)

Well, they have a big consolation prize with the Robert Opron designed SM. 
Maybe not the best Citroën, but it is (in my eyes) the most beautiful one.

[Carnut]

They already have to deal with the fact that the best Citorens have been styled by Flaminio Bertoni (Italian)

Well, they have a big consolation prize with the Robert Opron designed SM. 
Maybe not the best Citroën, but it is (in my eyes) the most beautiful one.

Personally I don't subscribe to the "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" belief; I think beauty is more identifiable.  But there's no doubt that opinions differ widely according to taste.

I never did find the SM beautiful at all; too much of a mix of curves, straight lines and sharp edges.  Interesting, unusual, different, very French - yes; beautiful - no, not in my opinion!  But I don't like Jaguar E-Types much either, so what do I know?!