Here's an exceptional miniature that will delight even the most discerning collectors: the 1972 Simca CG Proto MC in its distinctive white and red livery. This faithful 1:43 scale reproduction perfectly captures the essence of this daring prototype that made its mark on French automotive history.
This collector's item represents much more than a simple miniature: it embodies the innovation and audacity of Simca at the height of its creativity, offering car enthusiasts a unique window into an era when French manufacturers dared to push the boundaries of automotive design.
Characteristics of the miniature
- Model: CG Proto MC
- Brand: Simca
- Year: 1972
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: White and red
- Protective case included: Yes
The CG prototype: a futuristic vision
The 1972 Simca CG Proto MC represents one of Simca's most daring attempts at creating an avant-garde vehicle. This prototype, developed in collaboration with Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro , embodied the futuristic vision of the 1970s automobile. With its distinctive angular lines and revolutionary silhouette, the CG Proto MC completely broke with traditional aesthetic codes.
The vehicle was distinguished by its geometric design and flat surfaces, typical of Giugiaro's "origami" style. Its low, tapered body, integrated headlights, and unusual proportions made it a veritable rolling laboratory. Although never mass-produced, this creation profoundly marked Simca's stylistic evolution and influenced the brand's future models.
Simca and the innovation of the 1970s
In the early 1970s, Simca was experiencing a period of creative effervescence under the impetus of Chrysler, which had taken control of the French brand. This era was characterized by a desire for modernization and innovation, pushing the development teams to explore new aesthetic and technical avenues.
The Simca brand, created in 1935 by Henri Théodore Pigozzi, already had a long history of innovation. After starting with Fiat-licensed models, Simca gradually developed its own identity. In the 1960s and 1970s , the brand enjoyed its heyday with popular models like the 1000 and 1100, while also exploring avant-garde concepts like the Simca collection .
The anecdote of the lost prototype
The history of the Simca CG Proto MC is closely linked to that of its creator, Giorgetto Giugiaro, then artistic director of Italdesign. The prototype was presented for the first time at the 1972 Geneva Motor Show, where it caused a real stir among visitors and automotive professionals. Its radical design, with its sharp edges and flat surfaces , represented a complete break with the automotive aesthetics of the time.
But the most fascinating anecdote concerns the fate of the original prototype. After its presentation, the vehicle mysteriously disappeared from the radar for several decades. It was only in 2019 that enthusiasts discovered that it had been preserved in a private collection in Italy, in a remarkable state of preservation. This rediscovery sparked a renewed interest in this unique model.
The influence of this prototype extended far beyond Simca. Giugiaro's "origami" style, of which the CG Proto MC was an early example, would influence a whole generation of cars, from the Lotus Esprit to the Lancia Stratos . This geometric approach to automotive design revolutionized the industry and still inspires many designers today.
It is also interesting to note that the CG Proto MC foreshadowed certain technical innovations that would not become commonplace until much later, such as the integration of lighting systems into the bodywork or the use of composite materials to reduce weight. These avant-garde innovations demonstrate the forward-looking vision of Simca's development teams.
Complete your miniature collection
This Simca CG Proto MC occupies a special place in the world of model cars. It represents not only a little-known part of Simca's history, but also a time when French manufacturers dared to experiment and innovate. For collectors, it is a rare piece that perfectly complements other iconic models of the brand, such as the Simca Aronde or the Simca 1000 .
This miniature fits naturally into several collection themes. It finds its place as well in a collection dedicated to concept cars as to automobiles of the 1970s . Automotive design enthusiasts will find a perfect example of the creative audacity of this decade, while collectors of French model cars will be able to complete their panorama with this exceptional piece. It also harmonizes with other models in the French collection , offering a unique perspective on French innovation in the automotive field.
