Restoration of our Simca Aronde A90 Elysée by Garage SAVA in Rioz (70)
In August 2021, a forest fire hit our property and destroyed our Aronde A90 Élysée. In April 2022, during a couch-and-phone evening, Jean-Noël once again discussed the lost Aronde with his son, who is also passionate about cars. On my side, I was bored, despite the fact that my couch was becoming more and more my best friend. I grabbed my computer, another faithful companion, and listened to their conversation while typing on "lebonc...", a well-known buying/selling site. Inadvertently, I did a search for Simca Aronde 1300s and, incredibly, our car appeared on the screen: same model, same interior and exterior color, in short, its twin. Without a second thought, I interrupted Jean-Noël, who immediately became enthusiastic and passed the news on to Julien, his youngest son.
It was Wednesday. Promise kept, his son told us he would go see the car on Sunday. Indeed, the car was located nearly 500 km from our home, but only about a hundred km from Julien's. The following Sunday, he inspected the vehicle and began the first formalities to reserve it. The Aronde was running, started on the first try, the interior was... in its original state, and the bodywork was correct.
In early May 2022, Jean-Noël and Julien went to get the car and spent the weekend doing the usual checks. On Monday, Jean-Noël's day to return home, he came back with an Aronde in better condition: clean engine, brakes in good condition, polished bodywork, and rusted chrome repainted. The interior was in poor condition, but that didn't stop us from driving the Simca until 2024.
First solo modification
In a side note, it should be noted that our Aronde model does not have a windshield washer, and its rear red turn signals are shared with the brake lights, which can be very unsettling for the drivers following us. As a result, we are regularly honked at, and not to greet us warmly!
To improve safety, Jean-Noël decided to modify the order of the rear lights. Now, the "red" brake lights are located at the bottom and are alone, while the "red" turn signals are at the top, coupled with the rear running lights. Jean-Noël favored daytime safety, knowing that at night, the Aronde is sleeping. It is not at all a night owl car!
September 2024, the Aronde arrives at Garage SAVA
Because in 2024, Julien, accompanied by Laetitia, his partner in life, decided to get into the restoration of classic vehicles. Julien will take care of the mechanics and bodywork, while Laetitia will take care of the upholstery and other elements of the cabin.
Although they have the necessary skills for this work, they do not yet have the experience in terms of time spent, quotes, and billing. As a family, we decide that they will "test" themselves on our Elysée A90! An evaluation will be done, the time will be "calculated," and we will see if their estimate is correct.
So in September 2024, the Aronde arrives in Rioz, at Garage SAVA to undergo, to our great delight, a complete restoration.
Vehicle expertise
This first assessment was carried out with care. As soon as it arrived, Julien and Laetitia undertook a complete inventory of the vehicle. Julien meticulously inspected the body, mechanics, safety elements, and electricity. For her part, Laetitia set about evaluating the condition of the seats, the headliner, the door panels, and the other fabrics to be replaced.
This crucial first step allowed them to draw up a precise diagnosis of the work to be carried out.
Julien first focused his efforts on the structure of the Simca. He checked the condition of the body, looked for any rust spots, and inspected the solidity of the welds. The mechanics were also scrutinized: engine, transmission, brakes, and suspension. Particular attention was paid to the safety elements.
Laetitia, for her part, quickly realized that in her part, it was a complete restoration, with the exception of the floor mat which could be kept, everything had to be redone as new.
Safety
Checking and restoring the braking system
- Handbrake cable: Checked and adjusted to ensure optimal braking.
- Wheel cylinder sealing: Checked and repaired if necessary to avoid any brake fluid leaks.
- Brake shoes: Inspected, cleaned, and replaced if worn.
It should be noted that there is no brake assist on this model, which means that the brake pedal acts directly on the brake master cylinder, requiring special attention when driving.
Condition of the floor
The floor was meticulously examined to detect any trace of rust or corrosion.
Checking the suspensions
- At the rear: The leaf springs and shock absorbers were inspected to ensure optimal stability.
- At the front: The shock absorbers and springs were also checked for better road holding.
Mechanics
The Flash engine of the Simca Arondes is a four-cylinder in-line engine, characteristic of the 1950s and 1960s. Here are some of its specificities:
Breaker points: This component is part of the traditional ignition system of engines of this era. The breaker points cut and restore the electrical circuit of the coil, thus creating the spark necessary for the ignition of the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders.
High-voltage coil: The coil of this engine is essential for increasing the voltage necessary for the creation of the ignition spark. It takes the low voltage from the battery and transforms it into a much higher voltage, sufficient to ignite the mixture in the combustion chambers.
Mechanical fuel pump: Fixed directly on the engine, this pump is responsible for transporting fuel from the tank to the carburetor. Being mechanical, it works in synchronization with the movements of the engine, thus guaranteeing a constant flow of fuel.
Engine removal and disassembly
- The engine was removed and disassembled for a complete check and any repairs (seals, bearings, etc.).
- Cleaning of engine components: Oil pan, cylinder head cover, water pump, mechanical fuel pump, timing cover, etc., were carefully cleaned.
- Gearbox uncoupling: On our Aronde, the gearbox is controlled by a cable. It was disassembled for checking and maintenance.
- Disassembly of the intake and exhaust manifolds, starter, dynamo: All these elements were inspected, cleaned, and repaired if necessary.
- It should be noted that the Aronde has a dynamo with an external regulator, which supplies electricity to the car and recharges the battery. This process was later abandoned in favor of the alternator, which performs both functions.
Checking and restoring the radiator
- The radiator was checked and restored to ensure optimal engine cooling.
Checking the clutch cable and the clutch system
- The entire system was inspected to ensure smooth and jerk-free operation.
Changing the seals and bearings of the rear axle
- The seals and bearings of the rear axle were replaced for better performance and durability.
Checking and topping up the steering box oil
- On the Aronde, there is no rack and pinion. The steering box oil was checked and topped up to ensure precise and responsive steering.
Bodywork
Cutting and installing new sheet metal
- Right and left sills: The sills, which were heavily corroded and "alive" (with a wasp nest discovered inside), were cut and replaced with new sheet metal, then rewelded to ensure the solidity of the structure.
Rear valance and right rear side member
- The same cutting and rewelding operation was repeated for the rear valance and the right rear side member, which were also corroded.
Battery support and wheel arch
- The battery support, in poor condition, was removed and completely redone. A part of the wheel arch was also remolded to ensure better protection and durability.
Complete exterior paint
- After having corrected all the imperfections in the sheet metal, a complete exterior paint was carried out. The two-tone was modified to match that of our first Aronde, now stopping at the edge of the rear window and the top of the front windshield.
Paint
Painting of the engine compartment and the engine block
- These elements were carefully cleaned and painted for an impeccable appearance and durable protection.
Epoxy paint of the rims
- The rims were painted with epoxy, offering a robust and weather-resistant finish.
Epoxy paint of some accessories and engine elements
- To give the mechanics a fresh look, various elements such as the cylinder head cover, the air filter, the oil pan, the jack, and the crank were painted with epoxy.
Repair and painting of the chrome of the front and rear bumpers
- The chrome was in very poor condition. Julien straightened, untwisted, sanded, and then painted them with silver-colored epoxy, thus restoring their original shine.
Bichromating of the screws
- The screws were treated with bichromating to beautify the engine compartment, adding a touch of shine and a neat finish.
Painting of the interior frames of the front and rear windows
- The bakelite of the interior frames was painted in the exact color of the dashboard, ensuring perfect visual harmony inside the vehicle.
Upholstery
The restoration of the Simca Aronde 1300 Élysée A90 by Garage SAVA is an ambitious project that is not limited to mechanical and bodywork aspects. The upholstery, a crucial element for the comfort and aesthetics of the vehicle, also received special attention.
The interior of the Simca Aronde required a complete renovation, with each element needing to be redone to regain its former splendor. The front and rear seats, worn by time, were stripped, re-padded, and covered with a new fabric, respecting the original color code.
The door panels, often marked by the years, were disassembled and completely redone with care. The armrests, the rear shelf, and the carpet of the door pillars were also replaced to ensure perfect harmony in the cabin.
The headliner, an essential element for aesthetics and comfort, was replaced. This meticulous work required great precision to obtain an impeccable result.
Similarly, the sun visors were renovated to once again offer effective protection against the sun's rays.
The floor mats, although original, were given a major cleaning. These mats, proudly bearing the Simca Swallow logo on the front, were carefully cleaned to preserve their authenticity while giving them a new lease on life. Their renovation made it possible to preserve this emblematic detail, adding a touch of authenticity to the interior of the vehicle.
The restoration of the upholstery of our Simca Aronde 1300 Élysée A90 by Garage SAVA is a true work of craftsmanship. Thanks to Laetitia's expertise and knowledge, the interior of this classic vehicle has regained its former splendor. Each element was treated with care and precision, guaranteeing an impeccable finish and increased longevity.
Comfort, aesthetics, and authenticity were at the heart of this project, making this car a true work of art on wheels.
Finishes
Intensive polishing
- Rear lights and various caps: Intensive polishing was carried out to renovate the rear lights and various caps, restoring their original shine.
- Rear trunk lid handle: The handle of the rear trunk lid was also meticulously polished to regain its shiny appearance.
Dashboard
- The dashboard was polished without disassembling the original speedometer, for fear that the numbers would fade. This precaution made it possible to preserve the authenticity of the vehicle while improving its appearance.
Polishing of the spoked hubcaps
- The spoked hubcaps required a lot of time and effort due to their complexity. Each spoke was carefully polished, restoring the hubcaps to their original shine.
Final cut
The restoration of our Simca Aronde, entrusted to Garage SAVA, is above all a beautiful human adventure. A project that required time, passion, and above all a good dose of love for old mechanics. Every bolt, every seam has a story. From the disassembly of the engine to the final touch on the upholstery, everything was done with an almost affectionate care. Julien and Laetitia put their hands, their ideas, and their hearts into restoring all of this Aronde's original personality.
On the mechanical side, Julien tackled the engine with the precision of a surgeon. The result: the Simca purrs as it did on day one. Meanwhile, Laetitia immersed herself in the restoration of the upholstery, restoring the cabin to its original appearance, but with that little extra soul that makes all the difference. The interior has become a place where you want to settle in, as if the car itself had found its smile again.
And then there are the finishes... those little details that make the Simca shine from every angle. The chrome, the paints, the bichromated screws — everything breathes respect for a job well done. You can feel Garage SAVA's desire to leave nothing to chance, to give a new life to each piece, without ever betraying the original spirit.
In the end, this restoration is a bit like a rebirth. Seeing the Simca Aronde 1300 Élysée A90 hit the road again, proud and elegant, is an emotion that is difficult to describe. Thanks to the talent and passion of Julien and Laetitia, this piece of history is rolling again, ready to tell other chapters on the roads of time.
