Talbot Simca Matra Rancho Goes for a Drive

The car that accidentally created the 'Lifestyle' vehicle sector, originally the French Simca-Matra Rancho and then the Talbot-Matra Rancho was a 2 wheel drive that looked like an offroader.

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Furious Driving
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The tools I use to keep my wrecks rolling:

[tjfSIM]

Pretty sure most of us only recognise this because we had the Matchbox or Corgi version as a kid 😂

[camperlustig]

Oh what Memories.... August 1981 driving down Blackpool promenade facing backwards on the opening night of the illuminations. Living the high life aged 12. My late Dads best company car ever.

[KarlHamilton]

Holy shit, it looks brand new, and actually actually looks modern!! WHAT THE

[JR.]

They have aged very well. Still looks modern, all these years later. Great video Matt.

[Stars_Falling_]

Adriaantje!

The Dutch children's duo Bassie en Adriaan drove a Rancho for a few series in the late 70's. It made the rare Rancho a very famous car in the Netherlands. Even to this day.

[paulspeakman]

Living in the U.S. this is the first of these I've ever seen and as the driver of a 20 year old Subaru Outback this appeals to me immensely. It can't be any worse to drive than the 1971 VW van I had in the early 80's that was remarkably good on some pretty rough trails despite the shifter and steering being quite vague on the pavement. I love it!

[rovertwonefour]

Not even watched it yet but it's my favourite car ever and I'm really excited!

[RichieRouge]

What a whacky but lovely car! It does actually look like a mini Discovery! It’s very appealing and definitely a refreshing difference. It’s actually nicer than any of the tedious modern crossovers. Great video Matt!

[adamknopp]

My teacher had one in 1982. ( so you were right in saying that every school car park had one. It was bronze) Love it. I’ll take 2 😍

[Strike]

Furious Driving: Today I'm driving a Matra Rancho!
Smith & Sniff: *heavy breathing*

[davidjames]

Thanks for bringing us these obscure cars, and for showing how this was ahead of its time. It would have taken a bold person to pay Volvo money for a 1.5-litre French van with windows!

[barryroach]

My god, i forgot these even existed, a teacher of mine in the 70's had one, in a metallic green

[arrangrant]

This is the review we’ve all been waiting for 👍😎

[rayfordham]

I had a Chrysler Alpine 1442 cc, noisy engine, cam shaft made of cream cheese.
the jets in the carb kept blocking the local dealer said it was an effort to improve
the fuel economy and promptly put bigger jets in, twin choke Webber carb I seem to remember. The dealer told me to change the oil more often than recommended to keep
the engine quiet which it did, and I seemed to be changing the brake pads all the time
cause they were so small and while I was doing that I had to free up the calipers because
they seized a lot, other than that I had it for 12 years no break downs an ran to 120, 000
miles. It did not like Champion spark plugs it preferred NGK. The Rancho was basically
the same thing with a different body.

[thelivingdodo]

Matt: I wasn't planning on doing a wiper test today....Hubnut left the chat

[simonhodgetts]

Fantastic! My dad nearly bought one of these - he had a friend with one - we thought it was great, and the boot was huge - you could get a drum kit in the back, without dismantling it!

[vnorvi]

We had a Simca in the US. It was as though Simca TRIED to make them rust. Many cars rust, but Simca took it to an all new level. Everything rusted. The straw that broke the camels back for my father was that the lights would rust shut, such that you could not change bulbs- Without drilling out the screws.

[archechme]

"according to Chrysler's press office, this isn't an SUV. This is a multi pursh puss leisure vehicle" bless ya

[jjs]

Always wanted one of these! Ahead of its time. Bought a BMW Gran Coupe yesterday and yet today its this Rancho i am watching videos of....

[frglee]

It looks surprisingly modern and even quite pretty. I suspect if this vehicle was made today (with updated engine and mechanicals ), it would sell very well. I certainly prefer the bodyshell to things like the rather dumpy Dacia Duster.