Matra-Simca Rancho
Rancho was a result of Matra's growing confidence from being under the
corporate wing of Chrysler. The Bagheera had been well received by the press
and buyers, alike, the company decided that it was ready for expansion.
Whatever it produced it had to reflect the forward thinking and imaginative
philosophy. However, Matra also needed to develop a car that would fit neatly
into the Chrysler range but also attract new buyers into the fold. The mechanical
parts of the new car would naturally come from Simca, Matra's industrial partner.
The idea of basing the new Matra on the front wheel drive Simca 1100 platform made commercial sense. It was produced in large numbers, the French public loved it, and its mechanical bits were tried and tested. It also meant that the new car could be developed within a limited budget.
The idea of basing the new Matra on the front wheel drive Simca 1100 platform made commercial sense. It was produced in large numbers, the French public loved it, and its mechanical bits were tried and tested. It also meant that the new car could be developed within a limited budget.
Rancho Grand Raid
The new car was christened P12 and
was developed into a SUV with many
of the styling attributes associated
with the Range Rover such as its
horizontally split tailgate. It was
launched in Europe as the
Matra-Simca Rancho in May 1977
arriving on the British market in May
1978. Most of the rear body was
made from a fibreglass clad steel
frame with large picture windows in
the sides and large rear tailgate. The
back seat was ten centimetres higher
than the front seats to give back seat
passengers a sense of adventure!
This helped propel the new car to 91 mph although at this speed fuel
consumption was fairly high as the car suffered aerodynamically. The brakes
came from the high performance Simca 1100 TI, the doors, front wings,
windscreen and wings from the 1100 Pick Up and the dashboard from the
hatchback 1100 GL. Unique sports style wheels were fitted along with large
plastic bumpers and grilles over the lights. Two spotlights were mounted on the
front wings, next to the windscreen pillars. On top of the steel roof over the front
two seats was a false panel and rack. This was to provide additional storage
space and to try and disguise the sudden change in roofline between the Simca
derived cab and the glass fibre rear extension. Matt black wheel arch extensions,
side rubbing strips and window frames were fitted to give the Rancho an
aggressive yet practical appearance. Accessories available included a third back
seat, which converted into a double bed this accounts for the much copied step
roof design which designers considered necessary for head room when used as a
small camper.
Underneath, it was pure Simca
1100, based on a reinforced
Simca/Dodge 1100 Pick Up chassis
made longer and stronger aft of the
front doors. This meant the Rancho
shared its torsion bar front and
rear suspension with the 1100 but it
was fitted with a 1442cc 80bhp
Simca 1308/Chrysler Alpine engine.
The Rancho soon found favour with
buyers, especially in its native France,
who appreciated its huge interior
space and fashionable style!
In 1979, the Rancho was offered with a low compression petrol engine, the idea being to allow lower octane petrol to be used which was useful for support exports to those countries where petrol was generally of a lower grade than that available in France. This engine option was not offered to British buyers.
In 1979, the Rancho was offered with a low compression petrol engine, the idea being to allow lower octane petrol to be used which was useful for support exports to those countries where petrol was generally of a lower grade than that available in France. This engine option was not offered to British buyers.
Rancho Découvrable
In October 1980, the Rancho gained electronic ignition, a special economy tune
carburettor, a slightly lower differential ratio to enable better 4th gear
acceleration, new cloth trim and a fitted radio.
The Rancho Grand Raid was launched in 1980, intended for use over rougher country than the standard model. It featured a limited slip differential to try and mitigate the limitations of front wheel drive only in slippery conditions. Other additional equipment included floor protection, and a front mounted electric winch capable of hauling a 1,200kg load and 2 spare wheels (one cab-roof mounted) with off road tyres. The Grand Raid, which was never sold in Britain, was offered in matt green only with safari beige trim.
The Rancho Grand Raid was launched in 1980, intended for use over rougher country than the standard model. It featured a limited slip differential to try and mitigate the limitations of front wheel drive only in slippery conditions. Other additional equipment included floor protection, and a front mounted electric winch capable of hauling a 1,200kg load and 2 spare wheels (one cab-roof mounted) with off road tyres. The Grand Raid, which was never sold in Britain, was offered in matt green only with safari beige trim.
Also announced in 1980 was the
Rancho X, a more luxurious model with
metallic paint, alloy wheels, tinted
glass and luxury trim. The limited
edition Midnight, a special model
available only in black, was announced
during 1980. This model had an
expensive sound system and was the
only Rancho to feature chrome trim, to
the door handles, bull bar, window
frame and the side rails of the
cab-based roof rack. Only a hundred
were made. Neither the X nor the
Midnight made it across the Channel.
Rancho X
There was a special French market
only the AS version, designed to
exploit French tax laws that smiled
favourably on utility vehicles. It had
the rear seats removed and cargo
fixings, giving more load space, and
was marketed as a
commercial/business vehicle.
The Rancho Découvrable appeared in 1981. It featured roll up canvas sides
to the rear compartment in an attempt to create a more Jeep-like vehicle.
Two colours were offered - green or brown. Seats were vinyl trimmed
rather than the cloth used on the fully enclosed versions. Less than six
hundred examples were built, most winding up on the Mediterranean coast
and in the Greek islands.
Various limited editions were also developed including the Loisir a weekend car for leisure pursuits featuring an additional roof rack with fixings for bikes and sport body graphics The Jeanneau Wind was finished in white body colour featuring water sport graphics with blue vinyl upholstery and a rack for your wind surfer A winter sports model named Davos after the resort came also in pure white with snow chains and a rack for fitting skis.
Various limited editions were also developed including the Loisir a weekend car for leisure pursuits featuring an additional roof rack with fixings for bikes and sport body graphics The Jeanneau Wind was finished in white body colour featuring water sport graphics with blue vinyl upholstery and a rack for your wind surfer A winter sports model named Davos after the resort came also in pure white with snow chains and a rack for fitting skis.
After that, changes were minor. The
original mirrors and the
chrome-plated window handles were
replaced in 1982 with black plastic
units. The cloth interior patterns and
colours updated as were the body
finishes reducing the choice to white,
red, silver, and bronze.
Rancho AS
Just fewer than 56,700 Ranchos
were built between 1977 and 1984.
Unfortunately, none of them were
particularly well protected against
rust. As a result, there are
surprisingly few Ranchos left
running either in Britain or in
Europe.
Although the rear section, being made of fibreglass, lasts well, the same cannot
be said of the rest of the car. Areas to check for corrosion are the floor, wings,
front doors, bulkhead, windscreen surround, rear and front chassis members
The engines and transmissions last well and are easy and cheap to fix.
In Britain, the car was priced to compete with much bigger cars. In 1978, when it was launched, the Rancho was priced at £5,650 - which put it up against such competition as the Volvo 245 DL at £5,357 and the Citroen CX2400 Safari at £5428. At the end of the scale a Range Rover would have cost £8,528.
Sales of the Rancho were more than the double the forecasts. Thanks to comparatively low development and production costs Rancho was also the most profitable Matra until the Espace. However, Peugeot took a fair slice of the profit on each car and had of course turned down Matra's next big idea. Matra took a strategic decision to end production of the Rancho in 1984 and concentrate their efforts on the Espace
In Britain, the car was priced to compete with much bigger cars. In 1978, when it was launched, the Rancho was priced at £5,650 - which put it up against such competition as the Volvo 245 DL at £5,357 and the Citroen CX2400 Safari at £5428. At the end of the scale a Range Rover would have cost £8,528.
Sales of the Rancho were more than the double the forecasts. Thanks to comparatively low development and production costs Rancho was also the most profitable Matra until the Espace. However, Peugeot took a fair slice of the profit on each car and had of course turned down Matra's next big idea. Matra took a strategic decision to end production of the Rancho in 1984 and concentrate their efforts on the Espace