The 1981 Opel Manta 3-door hatchback was referred to as the Combi Coupe. (image source: John Lloyd)
1981 Opel Manta
Hatch Heaven
We just love hatchbacks.
Renault 5 : 1975
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
Austin Ambassador : 1982
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
Vauxhall Viva HC : 1972
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
Suzuki Swift 1.3 GTI : 1986
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
Vauxhall Chevette Sun-Hatch : 1980
The limited edition 1980 Vauxhall Chevette Sun-Hatch had a detachable sunroof not to mention a shower of other extras. It had tinted glass all around, sport wheels and special color metallic paint with finishing touches like amber side flashers and side moldings. Some interior features included front head restraints, a clock and a push button radio.
1980 Vauxhall Chevette Sun-Hatch
MG Metro 1300 : 1988
A glass sunroof, bronze tinted windows and a 4-speaker electronic radio-cassette were just some of the standard “luxuries” on the 1988 MG Metro 1300. The MG 1300 engine with electronic ignition produced 73PS. It had all-round independent suspension plus an anti-roll bar and ventilated disc brakes up front. The sporty interior had a 60/40 split rear seats, included a push button radio, digital clock, special upholstery co-ordinated with the fashionable exterior graphics.
1988 MG Metro 1300
Pontiac Phoenix : 1983
In 1980, the Pontiac Phoenix was downsized and moved to front wheel drive, and was available as 2-door coupe or this 5-door hatchback which in 1983 recieved a minor exterior refresh.
Available engines were a 2.5 L 4 cylinder and a 2.8 L V6, mated to a 3 speed automatic or 4 speed manual transmission. This second generation was built from 1980 to 1985 and then replaced with the Grand Am.
1983 Pontiac Phoenix