Talbot Solara
| Company type | Automobile model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Simca 1301/1501 series |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder | Chrysler Europe |
| Defunct | 1986 |
| Successor | Talbot Alpine / Talbot 1510 / Talbot Solara (rebranded versions) |
| Headquarters | Poissy (engineering), Whitley, UK (design) , France, United Kingdom |
Area served | Europe, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Colombia, Spain, Finland |
Key people | Roy Axe (designer) |
| Products | Large family car (front-wheel drive hatchback and sedan) |
| Parent | Chrysler Europe; later PSA Peugeot Citroën |
The Simca 1307 is a large family car manufactured by Chrysler Europe and subsequently by PSA Peugeot Citroën from 1975 until 1986. Known internally as 'C6,' its design was crafted in the United Kingdom by Roy Axe at Whitley, while engineering responsibilities were handled by Simca in Poissy, France.
As one of the pioneering front-wheel drive hatchbacks in the large family segment, alongside vehicles such as the Renault 20, it earned the 1976 European Car of the Year award. The development process commenced in 1972.
This model was sold under multiple names depending on the market: the Simca 1308 and 1309 denoted versions with larger engines; it was branded as the Chrysler Alpine in the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand; known as the Dodge Alpine in Colombia; and marketed as the Chrysler 150 in Spain. Later, after PSA's acquisition, it was rebranded under the Talbot badge, with variants including the Talbot Alpine, 1510 /150, and a sedan version named the Talbot Solara.
History
Initially, the vehicle featured two engine options from the "Poissy engine" family: 1294 cc and 1442 cc units equipped with electronic ignition paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Upon release, it was available in three trim grades—GL, S, and GT—all offering substantial standard equipment. The subsequent GLS trim introduced amenities such as central locking and electric windows, typically found in higher-tier models. Following its Car of the Year accolade, it achieved strong sales domestically and internationally. Production escalated swiftly from approximately 400 units daily in September 1975 to around 1,100 by late 1976. The 1307 (rated at 7 CV) housed the smaller engine, whereas the 1308 (8 CV) utilized the larger displacement. In continental Europe, the sportier 1307 S incorporated twin Weber carburettors to boost performance while maintaining a lower tax classification; UK versions retained a single Solex carburettor.
Models positioned at a higher tier bore designations such as 1308 (or 1508 in certain regions) and 1309 (also marketed as 1609 in select areas). These replaced the older Simca 1301/1501 series within France but continued to be sold alongside the aging Hillman Hunter within Britain until 1979. At launch, rear-wheel drive sedans like the Ford Cortina and Morris Marina remained more popular among UK buyers. The Chrysler Alpine debuted in Britain in January 1976 shortly after the similarly sized Vauxhall Cavalier, which consistently outperformed it in sales.
Designed by Roy Axe, the Simca 1307 joined a cohort of European large family hatchbacks influenced by the trailblazing Renault 16. During the 1970s, conventional mid-size sedans such as the Ford Taunus (known as Ford Cortina in Britain), Opel Ascona B (Vauxhall Cavalier), and Morris Marina dominated European markets. It was only with later models like the Ford Sierra and Ascona C that hatchbacks achieved widespread acceptance.
Near the conclusion of its production run, an Italian importer offered a sport-oriented luxury variant of the larger-engined 1308 GT called the "1308 GLS Superstrada," which featured alloy wheels, black side stripes, and blacked-out chrome trim except for retaining the pentastar emblem.
Facelift and Solara
In 1980, following its transition to the Talbot brand, this model underwent a major redesign unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show as the Talbot 1510 (marketed as Talbot Alpine in the UK). Changes included redesigned front and rear lighting assemblies. The premium SX trim added features such as alloy wheels, cruise control, headlamp washers/wipers, power steering, and a trip computer. Transmission options expanded to include both automatic and five-speed manual gearboxes. The range was rationalized: the former 1307 GLS became the 1510 LS; 1307 S was rebranded GL; 1308 GT transformed into GLS; and the top-tier 1309 SX was replaced by the automatic-only 1510 SX.
That same year introduced the four-door Talbot Solara saloon with engine choices of either 1.3 or 1.6 liters and trim levels aligned with those of the Alpine. This model effectively succeeded the discontinued Hunter as Talbot’s flagship large family saloon. In Benelux countries, a well-appointed "Ultra" special edition appeared toward late 1983 featuring metallic paintwork, alloy wheels, and velour upholstery.
By 1986 production of the Talbot Alpine/1510/Solara alongside smaller Horizon models ceased in France. In Britain, these vehicles were sold under different names such as Rapier and Minx according to trim rather than body style distinctions. Manufacturing at Ryton ended in autumn of 1985 to facilitate introduction of the Peugeot 309. Shortly thereafter, PSA discontinued use of the Talbot brand on passenger cars altogether. No direct successor replaced this series; however, PSA’s Citroën BX (launched in 1982) and Peugeot 405 (introduced near late 1987) functioned as indirect successors within the D-segment. Both models achieved commercial success across Europe, enhancing Citroën’s and Peugeot’s market presence particularly within UK export markets.
In early 1985, Finnish assembler Saab-Valmet launched a diesel variant of the Talbot 1510 GLD powered by PSA’s 1.9-liter XUD9 engine delivering 65 PS. This marked the only diesel version ever produced for this model line; although PSA’s Spanish division had considered a diesel variant, it was ultimately abandoned due to potential internal competition with diesel versions of Peugeot’s 305 and BX models. Saab-Valmet chose not to offer a diesel Solara to avoid overlapping with Peugeot’s diesel-powered saloon offering.
While enjoying strong sales figures in France, performance in Britain lagged behind competitors such as Ford Cortina/Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier due to smaller maximum engine sizes (capped at 1.6L versus rivals’ typical two-liter units) alongside less advanced OHV Simca engines compared to overhead camshaft designs used by competitors. Additionally, corrosion problems contributed to low survival rates within UK markets; by 2017 only nineteen examples remained licensed there. Conversely, it maintains a dedicated following in France where many remain operational.
The body styling of the Simca 1307 directly influenced that of Russia’s Moskvitch Aleko produced from 1986 through to 2001.
Manufacture
Initially, production of the vehicle took place in Poissy (France) and Ryton-on-Dunsmore (UK). Starting in 1977, manufacturing also occurred in Villaverde through Barreiros, the Spanish branch of Chrysler Europe. From 1977 until 1984, Todd Motors (later Mitsubishi Motors NZ) in New Zealand assembled the car from CKD kits. Between 1978 and 1982, the model was produced under the name Dodge Alpine at the Chrysler Colmotores facility located in Bogotá, Colombia. Additionally, from 1979 to 1985, Saab-Valmet manufactured the vehicle at its factory in Uusikaupunki, Finland. While Saab-Valmet’s main objective was to assemble the smaller Horizon, Simca-Talbot mandated that Valmet also produce the larger 1307 model. The Finnish versions incorporated specific local adaptations, such as a diesel engine variant and interior components sourced from Saab, including seats with Saab’s internal framework that enabled heated driver seating. Talbot limited the distribution of Finnish-produced vehicles exclusively to domestic markets.
In New Zealand, throughout its production span, the car was marketed under various badges including Chrysler, Talbot, Alpine, and 1510; however, it was officially designated as Alpine in line with British market practices. A facelift occurred in 1982, after which the model was renamed "Talbot SX" for that market.