Chrysler 160 180 2 litre and 1610

Brand	Chrysler Corporation
Years of production	1970 to 1980
Production	Approximately 275,000 copies
Class	Motor Car
Engine(s)	4-cylinder in line with overhead camshaft
Transmission	Rigid rear axle drive
Gearbox	Manual and auto
Unloaded weight	1,065 to 1,119 kg
Bodywork	4 door sedan
Length	4530mm
Width	1730mm
Height	1440mm

The Chrysler 180 range was the name for a series of cars produced by Chrysler Europe Group and was produced from 1970 to 1975. In October 1970, during the Motor Show, Simca presented the Chrysler 160, 160 GT and 180. 

History

The reason of this model is complicated: Chrysler entered the overall capital financial control of the English group Rootes already as (Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam, Talbot, Commer and Karrier) and controls, in France, Simca. At the same time, the design offices of these two companies designed a new road model, powered by a 1,600 and an 1,800 cc or even a larger six-cylinder version.

At first in France, a project called 929 was presented comprising three prototypes respectively designed by Simca (XA), Bertone (XB) and Chrysler (XC). The project was cancelled by Chrysler management, which instead went for Rootes' English proposal, the C-Car whose lines were inspired by the Hillman Avenger influenced by the American "coke-bottle" style. The six-cylinder Humber engine is however discarded in favour of the normal four-cylinder blocks from Simca.

Range

The basic mode is the 160 From this level, introduced by Simca, is compared to the Simca 1301 / 1501, a technical progress on the engines with overhead camshaft driven by chain. This mechanism is designed to undergo future increases in displacement. Fitted with a 1,639 cc the 160 is particularly aimed at owners of Simca 1301/1501 wishing to change their cars for a higher range model. The equipment is of course measured with a low-end feel, even the bumper guards are absent leaving only the simple chrome steel blades (they will appear a little later). The brakes are discs at the front and drums at the rear.

The 180 benefits from a much more flattering treatment. The engine, increased to 1,812 cc, this saw its power increase to 97 hp (10 CV) with a top speed of 170 km/h. The equipment offered is better featuring automatic choke, tachometer, interior ornaments in faux wood trim, heated rear window, reversing lights, and unusual for the time four-disc brakes.

Chrysler 160 GT

The 160 GT is the sports version equipped with the same engine the clock is replaced by a sportier rev counter.

Changes

By 1973, Equipment is improved long-range headlights; vinyl covered roof and new 14-inch rims fitted with new style hubcaps. the larger engine underwent a first upgrade to bring the displacement to 1,981 cc. The power then climbs to a respectable 110 hp. 

Chrysler 2-litre

The main reason behind this is that it is intended to be mated only to a Chrysler 3-speed automatic transmission and therefore gives rise to the Chrysler 2-litre automatic now starting to become more popular in the European market. The top speed does not improve to early the original180 because of the slippage of the torque converter. The automatic gearbox offers great driving comfort and excellent reliability (several million units have already been produced to equip engines much more powerful than this 2-litre). 

2-Litre Automatic side view

By 1977, production was transferred to Spain in the Barreiros SA factories, a subsidiary of Chrysler-Europe in order to make way for the best-selling 1307/1308/1309, car of the year for 1976. The 160 became 1609 and the 180 becomes 1610. The 2-litre version still retains its name.

By the end of production in 1979 Simca combined the 2- litre engine with a manual gearbox on the 1610 model. The speed increased to 175 km/h. The "automatic or nothing" strategy for the 2-litre engine for more than 5 years has probably worked against the Chrysler as this type of automatic transmission was still not popular with the hands-on drivers in what was far from a luxury car for the time. While these competition offers more and more extensive equipment (power steering, electric windows, central locking, even air conditioning), the Chrysler retains four manual windows and its steering without assistance now seemed a low equipment level going into the 1980s.

Chrysler 1610 2L

A Diesel version is developed and used for taxi and other uses in Spain by Barreiros to skilfully respond to Hispanic taxation. This model will never cross the border into Europe elsewhere. The Last Chrysler bows out in May 1980, only 275,000 copies being produced in ten years. Stocks continued to be sold until 1981, when its successor, the Tagora, already took pride of place in the showrooms of Talbot dealerships. The same engine, now rebored to a larger 2.2 litres, continued in the Talbot Tagora, Talbot-Matra Murena, Peugeot 505 Turbo and Citroën BX 4TC.