We just love hatchbacks.
In 1980, the front wheel drive, 5-speed Toyota Tercel 1.3GL managed a 47.9 MPG rating at a constant 56 MPH and had a 97MPH top speed. It had a spacious 32.2 cubic feet of storage space, and came with halogen headlamps, polypropylene bumpers, internally adjustable door mirrors, rear seats belts, individually folding rear seats, FM radio, tinted glass, rear wash/wipe, mud flaps, “low fuel” and “door ajar” warning lights and luggage lamp, all standard.
1980 Toyota Tercel 1.3GL
The fornt-wheel drive 1981 Talbot Horizon 1.5GL had a modified camshaft to improve engine torque and chafe the gear ratios to give effortless acceleration and uncanny fuel economy. At 56 MPH, it achived 51.4 MPG.
Standard features included push button radio, quartz clock, adjustable front seats, head restraints, remote control driver’s door mirror, halogen headlamps, tailgate wash/wipe and a unique “Econometer” which told you at a glance your maximum economy at a given speed.
1981 Talbot Horizon 1.5GL
Due to significant engineering breakthroughs, the 1980 Austin Metro was designed to g0 12,000 or one full year between services of any kind. Each car had brake pad sensors to let you know when to change the pads. Self cleaning sliding contact points are standard, as was a long-life battery which only needed topping once a year.
An enlarged oil filter element and long-life spark plugs which did not need cleaning were standard as well.
With its new A-Plus engine and refined, positive gear box, the Metro delivered great performance and great economy. The 1.3 HLS topped 96 MPH and had a 0-60 time of 12.3 seconds. The HLE achieved a 62 MPH rating at 50 MPH and an astonoshing 83 MPG at 30 MPH.
In the interior, the asymmetric Split-Action rear seat is split one third/two thirds making it uniquely versatile. When both seats are folded down, you have 45.7 cubic feet of load space. It had better visibility with its huge glass area and the doors were extra wide so getting in and out was easy. It had a stating MSRP of £3,095
1980 Austin Metro