The 1100 series were the first unibody family hatchbacks and compact estate car, to integrate a transversely mounted engine and front-wheel drive, with all-around, modern independent suspensions with anti-roll bars (double wishbones up front, and rear semi-trailing arms), and disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, and folding rear seats, for maximum space utilisation and practicality.

In 1963, Chrysler took a controlling interest in Simca, approving the project to progress in 1964, with a production target of summer 1967.

[7] Results were dismal,[8][9] and in late 1969, Chrysler announced it would henceforth market its Rootes and Simca products from its Chrysler-Plymouth Division.

It was similar in concept to an earlier French car, the Renault 16, which had been launched two years prior, in the higher 'D' market segment, and still used a longitudinal front mid-mounted engine, with the gearbox in front of it, like a number of earlier front-wheel drive cars, including the original mass-produced hatchback, the 1961 Renault 4.

[11] The car was fitted with Simca Type 315 petrol OHV "Poissy engines" with 944, 1118, and 1294 cc variants, depending on year and market.

The larger 1204 cc engine used in North America produces 62 hp (46 kW; 63 PS); both the hatchback and station wagon models were offered.

One of the cars with the strongest claim as "the first Hot Hatch" was the Simca 1100 Ti, available from 1974, with 82 horsepower – over 40% more power than the standard 58 hp – which dramatically improved performance.

Based on the 1100 Special, introduced in 1970, distinguishing features of this performance version were its six-headlight and foglight arrangement, front disc brakes, front and rear spoilers, alloy wheels, matte black grille and single paint colour choice (red), items which would be adopted by the many 'hot hatchbacks' that would follow.

Commercial versions lasted until the spring of 1985, three years after the 1100 passenger car models had been removed from the market.

The commercial models were sold as 'Simca Fixaren' ("the fixer") in Sweden, where they were fitted with a 66 PS (49 kW) version of the 1.3 litre engine.

[13] In addition to the dedicated van models, there was also a two-seater commercial version of the three-door hatchback available to French customers from December 1976.

This, the 50 PS (37 kW) 1100 AS (for Affaires et Societés, businesses and companies) qualified for a considerably lower tax rate.

Spanish-built 1100s were marketed as the Simca 1200 and the TI version had an 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp) 1442 cc engine.