ARONDE A90 ELYSEE

Our Aronde: A journey between passion and tragedy

How can we talk about our Aronde without mentioning the one that marked the beginning of our adventure?

It all started in 2013 when we acquired our first Aronde A90 Elysée from 1955. At the time, it wasn't in its best shape, but we knew it had incredible potential. Armed with patience, we undertook a meticulous restoration: the engine was running, it needed a good dusting, and the interior was in its original state.

The First Years: An Authentic Car

Our Simca Aronde A90 Élysée is a rarity. Since leaving the factory, it has retained its original condition, never having been restored or modified. This allows it to bear witness to the era of its manufacture, while remaining true to its roots. Although the interior is now marked by time, with slightly torn fabrics, damaged door panels, and a stained headliner, it retains an authentic charm. This decor plunges us directly into the atmosphere of the 1950s, offering us a faithful glimpse of the era, where comfort and design were at the heart of the concerns of car manufacturers. Despite the visible wear, the car's interior retains a nostalgic look that makes it beautiful.

An Impressive State of Preservation: The Soul of the Car

What is immediately striking when looking at our Simca Aronde A90 Élysée is its state of preservation. Despite the years, the car's bodywork has remained relatively healthy. Although the paint needs a refresh and the wear and tear of time are present, the bodywork has no trace of oxidation, which is quite rare for a vehicle of this era. The side members, very important elements of the structure, are intact, thus guaranteeing the vehicle's solidity.
The engine, which had not run for some time, was not seized, which was an excellent starting point for undertaking the restoration. This allowed us to project ourselves into the rest of the project. The only element to be replaced to ensure optimal driving was the tires, which, although still mounted, had to be changed to ensure better safety on the road.

Restoration

Engine and Fuel Tank: Starting on a Good Foundation

The first step in the restoration of our Simca Aronde A90 Élysée was to get the engine running again.

Jean-Noël, our family mechanical expert, was in charge of treating the fuel tank, which was carefully cleaned and repainted to eliminate any trace of rust accumulated over time. A removable glass fuel filter was also installed to ensure optimal engine operation.
In parallel, all the essential engine peripherals, the dynamo, the starter, the carburetor, the water pump, and the radiator, were disassembled and meticulously cleaned to ensure they worked as they did on day one. These steps are crucial in the restoration process, as they allow an engine to be brought back to life.

Cooling System and Braking Systems: Securing the Drive

Another important aspect of the restoration concerned the cooling system. Jean-Noël took care to clean and check the entire system to ensure a stable operating temperature.

The braking system, meanwhile, was completely overhauled. An old car, although having retained its exterior appearance, can sometimes present risks in terms of safety systems. For this, each element of the front and rear axles was checked, readjusted, and repaired if necessary.

New Tires: A Safety and Aesthetic Asset

The tires mounted on the car no longer corresponded to safety standards. We therefore opted for new tires, carefully chosen to respect the car's vintage aesthetic while guaranteeing optimal grip and increased safety on current roads.

Family outings: A Return to the Road

Once the restoration work was finished, our Simca Aronde A90 Élysée was ready to hit the road again. We couldn't wait to go for a ride in it, to discover the unique feeling of driving such a vehicle.

For years, it shared our daily life, but fate had other plans.
In 2021, during a devastating forest fire, our dear Aronde was carried away by the flames. It was the end of a story but once again a surprise awaited us.
Today, if we continue to preserve and share our passion for classic cars, it is largely thanks to this first Aronde.

Aronde: Episode II

Six months after the destruction of our first Aronde, fate, it is always present, offered us an incredible surprise: the opportunity to acquire its almost identical twin sister. An Aronde A90 Élysée from 1956, almost identical to our first car, with one detail: the two-tone paint line. Where our first Aronde had this separation at the bottom of the rear window, this one placed it at the beginning of the trunk. A subtle nod to their difference while affirming their resemblance.

The decision to buy did not take more than a minute.
As soon as we knew it was available, the enthusiasm was such that Julien, Jean-Noël's son, took the lead. Living "next to" the car, he took it upon himself to go see it and handle the first formalities to reserve it. Julien shares the same passion as his father for cars, a love of beautiful mechanics passed down from generation to generation.

This family passion has its roots in a long legacy. Jean-Noël spent a large part of his professional career at the Poissy factory, at Peugeot, formerly Simca, Chrysler, then Talbot at the whim of successive buyouts. This direct link with automotive history further strengthens the attachment to these vehicles which represent much more than a simple passion: a life story, a family story.

This new Aronde marks a new beginning for us while ensuring continuity with the first car that was lost.