You recently read the driving report on André Reus' Simca 1006 SR. The Simca was one of the two cars that took center stage during a beautiful reporting day in Venhuizen. Number two of André's rare duo was the Talbot Samba Cabriolet, which was delivered new in 1984 by Eigenraam in Vlaardingen. Of course we also drove this really rare classic.
The Talbot Samba Cabriolet was designed by Pininfarina. Production of the regular Samba always took place in Poissy. The copies that were intended as Cabriolets were transported by rail to Italy after the (rough) construction. At Pininfarina, the coachwork received the bodywork adjustments that belonged to a convertible. Upon completion, the cars returned to Poissy for final assembly and final inspection.
This Talbot Samba Cabriolet came on the program more than half a year after the introduction of the regular Samba. The Talbot Samba was directed by PSA Peugeot Citroën developed, and knew many Peugeot 104 traits. During the summer of 1982, the Cabriolet version of the latest Talbot appeared. The ties between Talbot mother PSA Peugeot Citroën and the Italian coachbuilder had been close for many years. That is why it was not surprising that the Samba program got a convertible version designed and built by the Italians. Whoever bought this Samba in 1984 had to take a well-filled wallet with him; the price was around fl. 26.000–. But you bought a relatively small and above all chic French car, including an elegant signature from Italy.
That was often a happy combination, and the Samba Cabriolet also showed that. And André's car still looks beautiful today, although it took some effort after purchase. We will tell you much more about that in the magazine in a while. The reportage Samba, painted in beautiful red, is a real child of the eighties. You see a relatively angular but quite smoothly designed car, and the possibility to lower the hood gives the necessary extra jeu to the Samba. And it played a unique role within its class as a convertible. Also, because the successful VW Golf Cabriolet operated within a different segment, and if entry-level version always been significantly more expensive. And the Peugeot 205 Cabriolet? That only came into the picture when the Talbot Samba was already busy with her farewell tour.
The Samba is - especially in this configuration and with the roof open - a nice car to drive. The 72 cc XY1360B engine with a single Solex carburettor, tilted back 6 degrees, produces that typical alloy sound. That is the sound you hear from many Peugeot and Citroën recognizes. There is more that the engine reveals, because with a factory specification of 72 DIN hp, the car accelerates considerably and shows flexibility. The five-speed gearbox shifts pleasantly, although the lever feels a bit too close to hand.
Because the seating position is fine, the seats offer a lot of comfort. You look out on a nicely designed Talbot steering wheel, with a clock shop behind it (including rev counter) that also clearly reveals the Peugeot origin. And that is mounted in a clear, almost sober dashboard. And that in no way detracts from the considerable driving pleasure that this convertible offers. The makers screwed an excellent chassis with struts all around and a stabilizer at the front and rear under the Samba. That gives the small Cabriolet a pretty mature character. And that is literally and figuratively reinforced by the construction of the convertible body, which was of course reinforced and, for example, received a double bottom plate. Also nice: the wind noise remains very well within limits, especially with an open hood, the wind is nicely guided away.
The designers also managed to create enough luggage space. Its content is good for 260 liters of stuff, which is more than the loading volume of the VW Golf Cabriolet at the time. When you go on the road with two people, you can also store what you need in the back seat. And you can still fold the backrests. The rather exclusive (read rare) French-Italian co-production thus appears harmonious in many respects. Thanks to the construction, the performance and the practical ease of use, you can use the car for longer distances, a nice (distant) holiday and a visit to an event that is not held next door.
The excellent state of maintenance and the mileage of 54.000 kilometers make an extra contribution to the rare pouch called Samba Cabriolet. Wherever you go with this sympathetic classic: you drive a unique and mature car that really offers more than you think in advance. A beautiful car too, which was already unique in its class at the time of its production.
Photos: Bart Spijker
What Peter says is right as a bus, even on a bumpy road the car twisted slightly, you could see it well at the windscreen.
Nevertheless, it was quite a nice car to see at the time
i can remember the introduction on the rai ? still remember, a blue with bright yellow 3-spoke alloy wheels, that looked flashy.
At the end of 1983, a Talbot samba (not a convertible) also came into our family as an extra car.
I used it alternately.
What has stuck with me is not being able to start this factory new car at -2 C with the standard battery of just 28 amps/h; In addition, the doors closed very badly when parked on uneven ground. In addition, it was very economical, which counted again in the 80s when petrol was relatively expensive.