The Simca Océane and Sport Plein Ciel are based on the Simca Aronde P60 and experienced their introduction at the Paris Motor Show in 1956. The bodywork came from Facel. An Océane or Plein Ciel cost almost twice as much as an ordinary Aronde and therefore proved difficult to sell.
Marketing
The type designation also made you think. The Océane was the convertible version while the Plein Ciel was the coupé version. 'Plein Ciel' means - freely translated - 'Open Air' and therefore would have fitted in better with the convertible version ... Marketing technically it also went wrong. Both models soon became the transport for film 'stars', actors, singers who were on the eve of a promising career (and many just didn't 'make it'), spoiled housewives, hairdressers.
Rust
Despite the hefty price, there was sufficient demand. In July 1962 rolled the last one off the band. In almost six years, people had been able to produce 13.803 items. With the mechanics and the 1300 engine of the Aronde, a top speed of 140 kilometers per hour could be achieved. Like all French cars, this Simca could also rust terribly. So there are not many copies left. The specific parts are not, or very difficult to find, or available and partly because of this, this classic enjoys extremely limited popularity. In the last year in particular, enthusiasm is growing and prices are rising. At least for original, stainless - there are on a limited scale - specimens that 'come back' from the United States.