Honda City Turbo II : 1986

1987 Honda City Turbo II

The Honda City Turbo II  was produced by Japanese automaker Honda between 1982 and 1986, based on the naturally aspirated Honda City AA. The City Turbo was the brainchild of HirotoshiHonda, son of Honda founder Soichiro Honda as well as founder and owner of Mugen. The City Turbo is one of a very few turbocharged Honda road cars. Hirotoshi took one of Honda’s most unassuming vehicles and successfully turned it into an aggressive street rocket, considered to be well ahead of its time. Impressed, Honda took Hirotoshi’s idea and made a production version, introduced in September 1982. This little rocket had 110PS from its turbocharged and intercooled 1,2 Liter (1,231 cc) Inline-four, 12 valve CVCC-II SOHC engine. (image source: AutoWP and partial text from WikiPedia)

1986 Honda City Turbo II

Published on November 23, 2013 5:25 pm.
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Mazda Familia : 1977

1977 Mazda Familia

The 1977 Mazda Familia was the first year of the third generation vehicle. It was known as the 323 in most of the world and GLC or Great Little Car in North America. While the image below is a 5-door hatchback, it was also available as a 3-door hatchback, among other body styles.

1977 Mazda Familia

Published on November 23, 2013 4:48 pm.
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Simca 1204 : 1970

1970 Simca 1204

The 1970 Simca 1204 had 1204cc engine that produced just 59PS and got up to 39MPG. In the US, it had an MSRP of $1,875. Simca was Chrysler’s Europe division. As Motor Trend stated at the time, “The Simca 1204 is really what the Maverick should have been. an inexpensive, quality-built, soundly-engineered, fun-to-drive machine that is relevant to an ever growing metropolitan America”.

1970 Simca 1204

Published on November 23, 2013 4:14 pm.
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Opel Manta : 1981

1981 Opel Manta

The 1981 Opel Manta 3-door hatchback was referred to as the Combi Coupe. (image source: John Lloyd)

1981 Opel Manta

Published on November 23, 2013 2:38 pm.
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Renault 5 : 1975

1975 Renault 5

The 1975 Renault 5 was an exciting new development in car design. It is only 11 feet, six inches long. Light to handle, with a turning circle of just 32.5 inches. It was very roomy and was fully equipped with most of the goodies of the time. Roomy, comfortable and safe with exceptional stability. The bodywork was all-steel construction which, combined with a rigid floor, gave it an extremely resistant body structure. It was available in two versions, the 5L with an 845cc engine and the 5TL with 956cc.

1975 Renault 5

Published on November 23, 2013 2:08 pm.
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Austin Ambassador : 1982

1982 Austin Ambassador

The 1982 Austin Ambassador model range included the 1.7L/HL with a 1.7 liter 1700cc inline 4 cylinder producing 83 HP, the 2.0HL with a 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder producing 92 HP and the 2.0HLS/VP with a 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder producing 100 HP. They were all front wheel drive and a four-speed manual transmission was standard. It had front and rear independent Hydragas suspension system, rack and pinion steering, front disc brakes with rear drum brakes, and a 37.8 turning radius. The top speed for the the 1.7L/HL was 98 MPH with a 0-60 time of 14.8 seconds, while the top speed for the 2.0HL was 101 MPH and 102 MPH for the 2.0HLS/VP with a 0-60 time of 11.5 seconds.

1982 Austin Ambassador

1982 Austin Ambassador

 

Published on November 23, 2013 12:18 pm.
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Vauxhall Viva HC : 1972

1972 Vauxhall Viva HC

The 1972 Vauxhall Viva HC had two engine options, a 1256cc and a 1600cc. It got 35.2 MPG with a top speed of 85 MPH. It offered five feet of luggage space with the back seats down. Deep-sprung body-contoured seats, through-flow heating and ventilation, face-level adjustable fresh-air vents and a two speed heater and demister. Its body was 28% thicker than its major rivals and had a heat sealed acrylic paint finish. Safety came from its tandem master cylinder braking system, safety steering column and included front seat belts. The price included factory-applied underbody seal and multi-stage phosphate rust-proofing treatment.  The Viva 1256cc had an MSRP of £996 and the Viva 1600cc of £1.071.

1972 Vauxhall Viva HC

Published on November 23, 2013 10:57 am.
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Suzuki Swift 1.3 GTI : 1986

1986 Suzuki Swift 1.3 GTI

The 1986 Suzuki Swift 1.3 GTI was the world’s first 16 valve, 1.3 Twin Cam, EPI production car and was described by AutoCar as “one of the most sophisticated small cars on the market… a twin cam tearaway… performing as no 1300cc car should”.  0-62 in 8.6b seconds with a top speed of 112 MPH. Its unique 16 valve, 1.3 twin cam, electronic petrol injection engine delivered 101 PS. It also looked great with its flush-fitting fog lamps and color matched electric door mirrors. With coil sprung three-link torsion bean rear suspension, front ventilated discs, and alloy wheels. All for just £6,750.

1986 Suzuki Swift 1.3 GTI

Published on November 23, 2013 10:11 am.
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