Concepts and prototypes : Chrysler Horizon

Designated the C2, engineered at Poissy and styled in Whitley, the five-door hatchback that emerged sported a clean and crisp style and contemporary layout.


Concept drawing

The original sketch as produced by Roy Axe; as this point in the proceedings, the SIMCA 1100 replacement was known as the "C6 SWB" (short wheelbase).
The original sketch as produced by Roy Axe; as this point in the proceedings, the SIMCA 1100 replacement was known as the “C6 SWB” (short wheelbase).

Clay models

Two 1974 proposals for C2: as can be seen from these pictures, there has been some effort expended into retaining some vestage of resemblance with the SIMCA 1100, whist adopting a more angular 1970s look. Note also, the slight "kick up" at the back of the car, which seems to pay tribute to the similarly shaped 1100 rear. It should be noted that it was the concept on the left that was approved for further development...
Two 1974 proposals for C2: as can be seen from these pictures, there has been some effort expended into retaining some vestage of resemblance with the SIMCA 1100, whist adopting a more angular 1970s look. Note also, the slight “kick up” at the back of the car, which seems to pay tribute to the similarly shaped 1100 rear. It should be noted that it was the concept on the left that was approved for further development…
Two 1974 further C2 proposals, which followed the same train of thought as the top two.
Two 1974 further C2 proposals, which followed the same train of thought as the top two.

Saloon styling proposal

This proposal may have pleased the conservative British (who took the later Ford Escort-based Orion to their collective hearts), but obviously had some way to go in styling terms...
This proposal may have pleased the conservative British (who took the later Ford Escort-based Orion to their collective hearts), but obviously had some way to go in styling terms…

 

6 Comments

  1. The sedan’s deck height is awkwardly low, an inch more height would make a lot of difference without making the trunk roomier than that of an Aries/Reliant or Solara (presumably to be avoided).

  2. The photograph of the 1974 C2 concept in profile (right hand side) reminds me very much of the 1983 Peugeot 205. The front wing, front door and rake of the windscreen seem very similar. I would strongly suspect that Peugeot’s in-house styling team had a careful look though the Chrysler archives when they took over in 1978.

    • I agree. The 205 has a real Whitley look to it. It is cuter but has the same large window, symmetrical neatness as the late 70s Talbot products…and almost nothing in common with the preceding Peugeots

  3. Hmmm, the early pencil sketch looks like the flanks were curvier than the production model, and would probably have been all the better for it- the finished model looked very under-styled and frumpy.

    But the worst aspect of the design had to be that horribly rattly engine- I’ve owned an Alpine and I’ve owned an Endura powered Escort which was also notoriously ‘tappety’, but the Simca unit was far, far worse.

  4. @Paul

    The proposed Metro saloon had a similar ‘boot too low’ profile.

    The Rover 400 HH-R carried off the saloon well, albeit the Domani base had a similarly styled saloon model.

    The VW Jetta based on the mk1 Golf had a profile like this, and as the Horizon was to be Chrysler’s Golf, made sense that they copied the saloon.

    The mk2 Golf based Jetta had a higher bootlid, resolved the shape a bit better. It wasn’t until the Bora onwards that the shape was more distinct, aping the Passat.

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