Talbot 150
| Company type | Car model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Simca 1301/1501 series |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder | Roy Axe (design lead) |
| Defunct | 1986 |
| Fate | Production ended; model discontinued |
| Successor | None directly; replaced in market by Citroën BX and Peugeot 405 |
| Headquarters | Poissy, France; Whitley, UK , France, United Kingdom |
Area served | Europe, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Colombia, Spain, Finland |
Key people | Roy Axe (design lead) |
| Products | Large family car (front-wheel drive hatchback and sedan) |
| Owner | Chrysler Europe; later PSA Peugeot Citroën |
| Parent | Chrysler Europe; later PSA Peugeot Citroën |
The Simca 1307 represents a large family car manufactured by Chrysler Europe and subsequently by PSA Peugeot Citroën from 1975 until 1986. Initially developed under the project name 'C6', its design was led by Roy Axe at Whitley in the United Kingdom, while engineering responsibilities were handled by Simca in Poissy, France.
This front-wheel-drive hatchback was among the pioneering models in its segment, sharing the market with vehicles such as the Renault 20, Renault 30, and Volkswagen Passat. It garnered significant acclaim by winning the 1976 European Car of the Year award. The development process commenced in 1972.
Offered under multiple designations, including Simca 1308 and 1309 for versions with larger engines, it was marketed as the Chrysler Alpine in regions like the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand; as the Dodge Alpine in Colombia; as the Chrysler 150 in Spain; and later rebranded within the Talbot lineup—namely, the Talbot Alpine, the sedan variant Talbot Solara, and the Talbot 1510 / Talbot 150—following PSA’s takeover of Chrysler Europe.
History
At launch, the vehicle was equipped with two engine options: a 1294 cc and a 1442 cc version of the "Poissy engine", featuring electronic ignition and paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Initially, three trim grades were available: GL, S, and GT, all offering relatively high levels of equipment. The subsequent GLS trim introduced amenities such as central door locking and electric windows, features typically reserved for larger or more premium automobiles. After securing the Car of the Year title, it experienced strong sales both domestically and internationally. Production volumes increased swiftly from an initial rate of 400 units per day at its September 1975 debut to approximately 1,100 daily by late 1976. The 1307 model (7 CV) utilized the smaller engine, whereas the 1308 (8 CV) was fitted with the larger displacement. The sport-oriented 1307 S variant in continental Europe employed twin Weber carburettors to boost performance while maintaining a lower tax rating; UK versions were equipped with a single Solex carburettor.
Higher-specification variants bore the names 1308 (or 1508 in certain markets) and 1309 (marketed as 1609 in some regions). These models succeeded the Simca 1301/1501 series in France. In the UK, the Alpine coexisted with the older rear-wheel-drive Hillman Hunter until 1979. During this period, traditional saloon cars like the Ford Cortina and Morris Marina dominated British sales figures. The Chrysler Alpine arrived on the British market in January 1976 shortly after the similarly sized Vauxhall Cavalier, which consistently achieved higher sales.
Conceived by designer Roy Axe, the Simca 1307 entered a market segment influenced by pioneering models such as the Renault 16, competing alongside vehicles like the Volkswagen Passat. Although hatchbacks were beginning to gain traction, mid-sized European consumers still largely preferred conventional sedans exemplified by models such as the Ford Taunus (Ford Cortina), Opel Ascona B (Vauxhall Cavalier), and Morris Marina. It took several subsequent generations before hatchbacks became widely accepted within this category.
Towards the conclusion of its production run, Italy’s importer unveiled a sportier and more luxurious iteration of the larger-engined 1308 GT—the "1308 GLS Superstrada"—which featured alloy wheels, black lower side stripes, and blacked-out chrome trim with the exception of retaining a chrome pentastar emblem.
Facelift and Solara
In 1980, following its rebranding under Talbot, the vehicle received a comprehensive redesign and was unveiled as the Talbot 1510 at the Frankfurt Motor Show (marketed as the Talbot Alpine in the United Kingdom). The refresh included redesigned front and rear lighting units, while the highest trim level, the SX, came equipped with alloy wheels, cruise control, headlamp washers and wipers, power-assisted steering, and a trip computer. Both automatic and five-speed manual transmissions were introduced. The range was rationalized: the 1307 GLS was renamed 1510 LS, 1307 S became GL, 1308 GT was rebranded as GLS, and the 1309 SX was updated to 1510 SX, initially offered only with an automatic gearbox.
That same year saw the debut of the four-door sedan variant known as the Talbot Solara, available with either 1.3 or 1.6-liter engines and sharing trim configurations with the Alpine. It succeeded the Hunter as Talbot’s larger family saloon model. In late 1983, a well-equipped "Ultra" edition was launched in the Benelux region, featuring metallic paintwork, alloy wheels, and a velour interior.
By 1986, production of the 1510, Alpine, Solara, and the smaller Horizon had ceased in France. In the United Kingdom, the final units were marketed under new names—Rapier and Minx—based on trim rather than body style distinctions. Manufacturing at Ryton concluded in autumn 1985 to accommodate production of the Peugeot 309. No direct successor to the Alpine/Solara series was introduced; instead, PSA’s Citroën BX (introduced in 1982) and Peugeot 405 (launched in 1987) effectively filled the D-segment gap, enhancing PSA’s market presence across Europe and the UK.
In early 1985, Finnish assembler Saab-Valmet produced a diesel version of the Talbot 1510 GLD powered by PSA’s 1.9-liter XUD9 engine delivering 65 PS. This marked the sole diesel variant ever commercially available for the Simca 1307; although PSA Spain developed a diesel model, it was never released due to internal competition with other PSA vehicles. Saab-Valmet opted not to offer a diesel Solara to avoid product overlap with their existing Peugeot 305 Diesel saloon.
While sales of the 1307 were strong in France, it struggled to compete in the UK against models such as the Ford Cortina/Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier. This was largely due to its smaller engine options (capped at 1.6 liters compared to rivals’ typical 2.0 liters) and less sophisticated overhead valve Simca engines compared to competitors’ overhead camshaft designs. Corrosion problems have drastically reduced surviving examples in the UK to just nineteen by 2017; nonetheless, it maintains considerable popularity in France where many remain in use.
The design of the Simca 1307 served as a direct influence for the Russian Moskvitch Aleko produced between 1986 and 2001.
Manufacture
Production initially took place in Poissy (France), Ryton-on-Dunsmore (United Kingdom), and from 1977 at Villaverde by Barreiros—a Chrysler Europe subsidiary based in Spain. Between 1977 and 1984, Todd Motors (later Mitsubishi Motors NZ) assembled vehicles from CKD kits in New Zealand. In Colombia, it was sold as the Dodge Alpine and manufactured at Chrysler Colmotores’ facility in Bogotá from 1978 until 1982. From 1979 through to 1985, Saab-Valmet produced this model at their factory located in Uusikaupunki, Finland. Although Saab-Valmet’s primary objective was to manufacture the smaller Horizon, licensing agreements required them to assemble the larger 1307 as well. Finnish production incorporated local adaptations including a diesel engine option and Saab-specific interior features such as heated driver seats. Talbot limited sales of Finnish-built cars exclusively to Finland.
Throughout its production life in New Zealand, this model carried various badges including Chrysler, Talbot, Alpine, and 1510; however, it was officially marketed under the Alpine name consistent with UK nomenclature. Following a facelift in 1982, it was renamed "Talbot SX" within that market.