Is this really a Simca?

[cuscus47]

Seen on US Ebay.
 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Makes-1965-Simca-Micro-Car_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6472QQihZ007QQitemZ170184531197QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW


Is this a factory-made, a one-off, kit, or home-made vehicle?
Comments!!   It looks remarkably like a 1960 Empi Sportster that I have, at least the angular nature of it does, but smaller.

[Chris Thomas]

Dear Cuscus47

Looking at the photographs the engine and front suspension are Simca 1000 and the body does look a bit like an Empi Sportster but is significantly different, besides Empi to my knowledge only developed a VW beetle buggy vehicle.

Looking at the body it looks as if the floor pan has been retained and the metal beach buggy body built up around it. The rear engine Simca 1000 was around for most of the 1960's and into the mid 1970's and sold along side the front wheel drive 1100 which was launched at the end of the 1960's. Strangely there was a big beach buggy following in France during the early 1970's, as was the case here in the UK, but only with VW beetle engines. It is logical that sombody has tried to emulate the VW Beach Buggy using the Simca rear engine, floor pan and suspension, but I doubt that it is an official Simca built vehicle. 

Whilst it is interesting it is not a Microcar.

Chris Thomas

[Stuart Cyphus]

 I actully rather like this!