Simca Estager Barquette Motto

The Simca Estager Barquette Motto is a notable post-WWII racing car built on the popular Simca Eight chassis, widely favored by independent constructors in France. This particular model was the brainchild of Jean Estager, a well-known driver and close friend of F1 competitor and Le Mans winner Louis Rosier. Under the hood, the car featured a 1,089cc four-cylinder overhead-valve engine prepared by Simca specialist Roger Deho. To enhance performance, Estager equipped the vehicle with Deho-Dubonnet aluminium shock absorbers, an aluminium steering box, and ventilated aluminium-alloy drum brakes. For the vehicle’s sporting coachwork, Estager collaborated with Carrozzeria Motto in Turin, renowned for their expertise in crafting barchetta-type competition bodies for esteemed brands such as Alfa Romeo, FIAT, and Cisitalia. Motto’s craftsmen created a simple, streamlined, two-seater aluminium body that epitomized the contemporary design trends of the era. Upon completion, Estager’s Simca passed the rigorous inspection by the Service des Mines, the French vehicle registration authority. It was officially registered in his name on 18th October 1950 as ‘581 G 63’. The Simca Estager Barquette Motto stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of skilled specialists and embodies the spirit of innovation and performance in post-war French racing. Photo courtesy of Bonhams.