Vauxhall Magnum Sporthatch : 1976

1976 Vauxhall Magnum Sporthatch

A special variant of the Vauxhall Magnum estate, known as the Sportshatch, was produced in limited numbers (197) in 1976. This model used the “droopsnoot” nose cone, which had been designed by Wayne Cherry, Vauxhall’s Chief Design Engineer to be used in the HP Firenza Droop Snoot model. In Trevor Alder’s book “Vauxhall – The Post War Years” mention is made of a HP Firenza Sport Hatch prototype which was a one-off and was painted in silver starfire, with a six light version of the droop snoot nose and also sharing the Viva/Magnum estate body shell. (source: Wikipedia)

1976 Vauxhall Magnum Sporthatch

Acadian Woody Wagon : 1976

1976 Acadian Woody Wagon

The 1976 Acadian Woody Wagon was produced for and sold in Canada. The “Woody” option got you simulated wood paneling on the sides, a woody rear decal and other exterior trim, plus the custom interior. Some of the standard features included a sewn headliner, a maintenance free battery, full front and rear carpeting, column-mounted “Smart” switch, flow-through ventilation, diagnostic system, rack and pinion steering, shell bucket seats with full foam, comprehensive anti-corrosion protection, effective acoustical insulation, full width rear seat back cushion and folding backrest and a removable load floor panel with rubber mat. You also had a choice of five interior colors. Acadian was a division of General Motors from 1962 to 1971.

1976 Acadian Woody Wagon

Lada Niva : 1977

1977 Lada Niva

The Lada Niva has been in production since 1977 and it is still on the market. It is said to have great off-road capabilities and is produced by Russian auto company AutoVAZ. I believe it is now called the Lada 4×4. (image source: Alden)

1977 Lada Niva

Formal Coach Cadillac Eldorado Comstock Sport Wagon : 1978

1978 Formal Coach Cadillac Eldorado Comstock Sport Wagon.

The seventies was an odd decade and this vehicle could not be a better example. The 1978 Cadillac Eldorado Comstock Sport Wagon was a conversion offered by the Formal Coach Corporation. (image source: Alden)

1978 Formal Coach Cadillac Eldorado Comstock Sport Wagon.

1978 Formal Coach Cadillac Eldorado Comstock Sport Wagon.

 

Chevrolet Vega : 1971

1971 Chevrolet Vega

The 1971 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback Coupe could either be a very roomy 2-seater with the rear seats down, or a very practical 4-seater, still with plenty of room to haul your stuff. It had standard front disc brakes, an overhead cam engine in addition to a double-panel steel roof, side-guard beams in the doors, a 50,000 mile air cleaner, foam filled front and rear seats and even an electrical fuel pump that cuts out to stop the car if the oil pressure drops too low.

1971 Chevrolet Vega

1971 Chevrolet Vega

1971 Chevrolet Vega

 

BMW 2002 Touring ALPINA A4 Tribute : 1974

1974 BMW 2002 Touring ALPINA A4 Tribute

Three things we like are all in this post. Naturally, hatchbacks is number one. BMW is number two, despite the fact that they are not very big in this segment, and last, but not least is Bring A Trailer. These guys religiously scour the world for some of the most unique, fun and even rare cars and offer them to all of us via their daily email. This 1974 BMW 2002 Touring ALPINA A4 Tribute was featured some time ago but we just love everything about it. (image source: BAT)

1974 BMW 2002 Touring ALPINA A4 Tribute

1974 BMW 2002 Touring ALPINA A4 Tribute

 

Chevrolet Monza 2+2 : 1975

1975 Chevrolet Monza 2+2

The 1975 Chevrolet Monza 2+2 had an impressive sports suspension via a new rear torque arm which helped isolate driving and braking forces. Stabilizer bars where also standard. Besides its standard 4.3 liter 4-cylinder engine, a new small displacement V8 was also available. It had a series of engineering improvements including a catalytic converter, High Energy Ignition, GM-Specification steel-belted radial tires and other engine refinements and an 18.5 gallon gas tank so you could go a very long way between fill-ups. And when the rear seats are flied down, you had a spacious carpeted floor giving you the ability to haul just about anything around.

1975 Chevrolet Monza 2+2

 

1975 Chevrolet Monza 2+2

Toyota Corolla SR-5 Liftback : 1978

1978 Toyota Corolla SR-5 Liftback

The 1978 Toyota Corolla SR-5 Liftback made driving fun again with its standard 5-speed overdrive transmission mated to a 1.6 liter engine. It also had MacPherson strut front suspension, power assisted front disc brakes  and steel belted radial-ply tires.

1978 Toyota Corolla SR-5 Liftback

Audi 50 : 1974

1974 Audi 50

I would love to have this 1974 Audi 50, despite the fact that we all know it would drive drastically different than any other vehicle they’ve produced since. It was produced until 1978 and only sold in Europe and was built in the former NSU factory in Germany.

1974 Audi 50

Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6A : 1978

1978 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6A

This right-hand drive. 6-cylinder 1978 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6A is a rare beast indeed. Probably the only one in the USA, and certainly the only one in this condition, which was subject to a body-off restoration to concours standards in the early 2000s, and is fully documented. This one was for sale by Sovereign Auto in Flushing, Michigan. The Middlebridge Enthusiast site is dedicated to the little known Middlebridge Scimitar. (content source: Sovereign Auto)

1978 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6A

1978 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6A

1978 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6A

1978 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6A

 

Chevrolet Chevette : 1978

1978 Chevrolet Chevette

The 1978 Chevrolet Chevette 5-door hatchback. It was introduced in September, 1975 and manufactured for model years 1976-1987. It was also badge engineered Pontiac Acadian.

1978 Chevrolet Chevette

1978 Chevrolet Chevette

Renault 30 TS : 1977

1977 Renault 30 TS

The 1977 Renault 30 TS was among the most luxurious prestigious saloons on the road and with its V6 it easily put most sports cars to shame. Acceleration from 0-60 was achieved in 9.2 seconds and it had a top speed of oner 112 mph. All this while getting 23-25 mpg. Front wheel drive and fully independent suspension gave it an uncannily smooth ride. Seating for five adults was helped by fully reclining front seats and 56″ of elbow room in the back. The rear seats could be folded back, giving you 34 cubic feet of space, more than any car in its class.

Standard fittings included a centralized door locking system, electric front windows and cigar lighter in back and front. An electric sunroof was an optional extra.

1977 Renault 30 TS

 

1977 Renault 30 TS

Saab 99 GLE : 1978

1978 Saab 99 GLE

The 1978 Saab 99 GLE was a 118 BHP fuel injected, 2 liter 3-speed automatic transmission 5-door with superb suspension and steering with luxury for five on velour. It had tinted glass, electrically adjustable door mirrors, headlamp wash/wipe and self warming front seats with an optional sunroof.

1978 Saab 99 GLE

Renault 20 TS : 1978

1978 Renault 20 TS

If you had £4,725, you could get yourself a 1978 Renault 20 TS. No other luxury car, at that price, had as many features fitted as standard. A few examples included Centralized locking. One press of a switch (or a turn of the door key) and all of the doors either locked or unlocked immediately. Adjustable headlamps. You could raise or lower your headlights to suit the load you were carrying from inside the car. Diagnostic plug. Your Renault dealer could now simply plug into it to find out electronically how efficient the engine was working and helped cut down on service fees. Reclining seats. The front seats (designed under medical supervision) adjusted to any driving position. Hatchback. The rear seats folds away and the parcel shelf is removable. Warning lights. At a glance you could now see if you left your hand brake on, your brake pressure was low or your front brakes pads were worn. It had comprehensive instrumentation, including a rev counter for the enthusiast. Power steering and electric front tinted windows are just a few more.

A 1995cc four cylinder engine, combined with front wheel drive, front and rear anti roll bars, all around independent suspension all contributed to a very smooth ride and the brakes operated by a dual circuit, servo-assisted system with ventilated discs at the front.

With a fuel consumption of 27mpg but capable of 0-60 in 12.2 seconds with a top speed of 104 mph.

Options included automatic transmission, electric sunroof and a radio.

1978 Renault 20 TS

Lancia 1600 HPE : 1978

1978 Lancia 1600 HPE

1978 Lancia 1600 HPE (High Performance Estate) started at £5,438. It was an impressive sight with its distinctly eager 1600cc twin-cam engine with aluminum head and twin-choke carburetor with drove the front wheels. The top speed was 108 mph and had a 5-speed gearbox. The handling, helped by all-round independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes was superb.

The interior had a complete array of instruments including rev counter, oil level, oil temperature and oil pressure gauges, topped with a quartz clock. The accommodations was for five, with integral headrests on the front seats and wrap-round rear seats with tons of leg room, front and rear. You had a choice of luxurious hardwearing cloth or PVC. Although the rear seats looked continuous, they were in fact separate. You could fold both of them forward, or just one, to carry a long load and a third passenger. Open the rear hatch and you find 42 cu.ft. of luggage space.

1978 Lancia 1600 HPE