24z and 541 Simca Vedette Versailles (1956-61)

First of all, its hard to believe that no one has bothered to comment on this nice French model before, but I do want to offer a comment. I only have one example of this model, and it was purchased long ago, I believe around 1956 or so, in the light blue with white roof. I always liked this model, and thought it quite nice looking, but after taking several closeup photos, for my catalog, several years ago, I noticed something I had not seen before. And that is the lines indented for the door gaps. On this model, and this one only, they now appear to be totally too deep and as a result, quite unattractive. They are also somewhat irregular and almost sloppy. I have never seen this comment before, so not sure if my model is unusual, which I would have difficulty understanding, or maybe the paint on my example did not do a very good job of filling that gap. I am attaching a photo of my example below......I welcome other comments and thoughts....thanks! Best regards, Terry

Hi Terry, I agree with you. The French were the first to adopt these recessed, deep contour lines on the bodies of their cars, but many contemporary French cars had problems with them, either the casting being too raw over there, or the paint (or zamac) filling the seam completely at some places. Also the paint sometimes does not reach every detail of the seam at all. I think the Simca Versailles suffers most from this problem and the Buick Roadmaster the least - whereas the latter was the first one to have these recessed lines.

With the acquisition of the yellow version I have completed the Simca s Ariane family now. Real beauties!