Citroen Visa Platinum : 1982

1982 Citroen Visa Platinum

Connoisseurs assez special editions as objectively as any other collector’s piece. Attractive they must be. Good value, lasting value and critically acknowledged value is also essential. So with this in mind, in 1982, Citroen introduced the Visa Platinum, which was one of four special edition cars that included the Cote D’Azur, the Drapeau and the Pallas SE. The Platinum has a strikingly classic metallic pearl grey body with a thin double stripe of royal blue. It had alloy wheels, tinted glass all around, a laminated windscreen and headrests. It was powered by the efficient Super E engine that gave it the best performance and aerodynamics figures in its class.

1982 Citroen Visa Platinum

Volvo 480 Turbo : 1989

1989 Volvo 480 Turbo

This 1989 Volvo 480 Turbo is a very rare sight in the US and is currently on sale on eBay in San Luis Obispo, California. This car was imported from Europe from a Volvo dealer who used it as a display model in their showroom.  It is one of the only 480 Turbos known to be in the US.

1989 Volvo 480 Turbo

1989 Volvo 480 Turbo

1989 Volvo 480 Turbo interior

1989 Volvo 480 Turbo interior

 

 

 

Subaru GL : 1984

1984 Subaru GL

This 1984 Subaru GL is a very rare find, and is currently available for sale at Rover Classic. It has a 4-Cylinder 1.8L H4 SOHC Turbo mated to a manual transmission and only has 47,731 miles. A completely undisturbed example of a classic hatchback. (image source: Rover Classic)

1984 Subaru GL

1984 Subaru GL

1984 Subaru GL

1984 Subaru GL interior

 

 

 

Ford Fiesta Quartz : 1983

1983 Ford Fiesta Quartz

The 1983 Ford Fiesta Quartz had an MSRP of £4,089 and was marketed to “non-conformists” as part of Ford’s “special Editions” cars. The Quartz combined the nippy performance and economical maintenance of a Fiesta Popular Plus with a mass of equipment like special wheels and some very stylish color schemes, al for a very special price.

1983 Ford Fiesta Quartz

Honda City Turbo II with Motocompo : 1986

1986 Honda City Turbo II

1986 Honda City Turbo II with Motocompo. It could not be a more rare combination. Even if you removed the folding 50cc Motocompo scooter, (which was included and fit in the rear hatch) in this original Japanese-spec vehicle you would still have an impossible task ahead of you in trying to find one, in any condition. The Turbo II was the factory “hot rod” model of the Honda City. One of the first (and only) production Honda cars with a turbo-charger. It had a 1300cc Turbocharged 4 cylinder engine and a 5 speed manual transmission.

The concept for the Motocompo scooter was that in crownded cities like Tokyo, where parking is at a premium, one could park as close as possible to work and ride the Motocompo in the rest of the way. The little bike is fully equipped with lights, mirrors and horn. It simply folds up tight in the back of the car. Seat and handlebars pop up…and you are ready to ride! If that’s not rare enough for you, the dash top storage is refrigerated for keeping drinks cold! It is currently for sale at California Car. (source: California Car)

1986 Honda City Turbo II

1986 Honda City Turbo II

1986 Honda City Turbo II

1986 Honda City Turbo II with Motocompo

1986 Honda City Turbo II with Motocompo

1986 Honda City Turbo II decal

 

 

 

 

Talbot Sunbeam Lotus : 1980

1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus

The 1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus had a 2.2 liter Lotus engine linked to a 5-speed gearbox. It had an output of 150 BHP with acceleration of 0-60 in up to 8 seconds and a top speed of 122 MPH. It also offered room for four passengers and with the rear seats fully folded down, it had an amazing 42.7 cubic feet of luggage space.

1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus

MG Maestro : 1986

1986 MG Maestro

If you wanted raw excitement, then the 1986 MG Maestro was for you. It was propelled by its electronically fuel injected 2.0 liter O-series engine, it could reach 60 MPH in 8.5 seconds and reach speeds of up to 115 MPH. The Maestro’s seats were trimmed in standard MG grey with red piping and included features such as central door locks, tinted glass, a 3-band stereo radio cassette with four speakers, variable delay and programmed wash/wipe and most distinctively an ergonomically designed one-piece fascia. All this, and it got 47.4 MPG at an MSRP of £8,399.

1986 MG Maestro

Vauxhall Cavalier SRi 130 MK2 : 1987

1987 Vauxhall Cavalier SRi 130 MK2

The 1987 Vauxhall Cavalier SRi 130 MK2 had a 2.0 liter fuel injected engine, controlled by the Bosch Motronic management system which monitored injection and ignition timing 400 times a second. This high compression unit produced 130 HP making it the most powerful Cavalier to date. It was front wheel drive and came with alloy wheels and low profile tires. It also boasted a superb security coded 4-speaker stereo radio/cassette. It had an MSRP of £10,740.

1987 Vauxhall Cavalier SRi 130 MK2

Jaguar XJ-S Lynx Eventer : 1989

1989 Jaguar XJ-S Lynx Eventer

I have no idea how many Jaguar XJ-S Lynx Eventers were produced, but in 1989 the Lynx Cars Limited company of England did just that. A very rare bird that was available in both a 3.6 or 5.3 liter version.

1989 Jaguar XJ-S Lynx Eventer

FSO Polonez : 1980

1980 FSO Polonez

1980 FSO 5-door, 5-seat hatchback Polonez featured a rigid passenger safety compartment with front and rear crumple zones and impact absorbing bumpers with protective side strips. It had a 1,481 cc engine with a top speed of 94 MPH. Other features included Dunlop radial tires, independent suspension, servo assisted disc brakes on all wheels, brake system failure warning lights, adjustable head restraints, adjustable rake steering column, twin front halogen headlights, rear high-intensity fog-lamps, reversing lights, rear wash/wipe, childproof rear door locks, 2-speed wipe/electric wash, hazard warning lights, rear hatchback remote opening, rear luggage compartment cover, heated rear window, quartz clock, lockable fuel cap, mud flaps, laminated windscreen, flow through ventilation and a glove compartment light. all for an MSRP of £3,375.

1980 FSO Polonez

1980 FSO Polonez

 

Ford Escort RS Turbo S1 : 1985

1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo S1

The 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo S1 was developed by Ford‘s Special Vehicle engineers. At the heart of this car is a 1600cc fuel-injected engine complete with intercooler Garrett T3 turbocharger. It generates 132 PS which is transmitted to the front wheels by a close ratio 5-speed gearbox and limited split differential. As a result, the RS Turbo accelerate from 0-60 in 8.2 seconds with a maximum speed of 125 MPH. To handle this performance, the brakes were upgrade, the suspension was both stiffened and lowered and the wide alloy wheels wore ultra-low profile tires. It even had standard Recaro seats.

1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo S1

Vauxhall Nova Sport : 1985

1985 Vauxhall Nova Sport

Even the red, yellow and red stripe on the hood and rear of this Limited Edition of 500, 1985 Vauxhall Nova Sport was cool. But don’t be deceived by the pristine appearance, with its 5J rims and low profile tires, color-coded flush wheel trims and stiffened suspension , its 1.3 liter engine delivered 93 HP making it more than a passing resemblance to the car that contested the “up to 1300cc class” of the Group A British Open Rally Championship. It has a top speed of 112 MPH with a 0-60 time of 8.9 seconds.

1985 Vauxhall Nova Sport

Vauxhall Cavalier : 1982

1982 Vauxhall Cavalier

The 1982 Vauxhall Cavalier ‘s model range included a front wheel drive 1.3, 1.6 and a rear wheel drive 1.6L. They all had a inline 4 cylinder engine, but the 1598 cc in the 1.6 developed 90 HP. A 4-speed manual was standard, but there was an option for a 5-speed in the GLS only. It had front independent MacPerson struts, coil springs and stabiliser bar and rear torsion bean axle, semi trailing arms and stabiliser bar. Other standard features included servo disc/drum brakes, rack and pinion steering, This 2,282 pound hatchback had a top speed of 102 MPH with a 0-60 rating of 12.1 seconds. It had a fuel economy rating of 46.3 MPG.

1982 Vauxhall Cavalier

1982 Vauxhall Cavalier

 

Austin-Rover Metro : 1985

1985 Austin-Rover Metro

The overall length of the 1985 Austin-Rover Metro was 11’2″, making it a very agile hatchback. But it also had a wide track, which made it more stable than other cars in its class. The low profile tires plus rack and pinion steering made it light and precise. It had outstanding all-around visibility at 88% and the aerodynamically designed hood sloped down for an even better view of the road. With its back seats down, there was an enormous 33.8 cubic feet of storage, and a full tank of gas would take to 400 miles. The MRSP for the 1.3 Metro was £6,384. It made it Britain’s best selling car.

1985 Austin-Rover Metro

Nissan Micra Colette : 1986

1986 Nissan Colette

The 1986 Nissan Micra Colette was light on your purse but full of luxury features such as push-button LW/MW radio, quartz clock, reclining front seats, intermittent wipers, rear wash wipe, hinged rear side windows, halogen headlights and a heated rear window, to name a few. Further raising the “value” bar, it also added luxury seat upholstery, adjustable head restraints, elegant wheel trims, a “Collete” badge, body side pinstripe and the option of two-tone paint. All that in a car that would take you from 0-60 in 16.5 seconds and yet offer fuel consumption of 56.5 MPG and cruising speed and 44.1 MPG around town. Nissan even offered a 6-year anti corrosion warranty and a 3-year/100,000 mille warranty. It had an MSRP of £4,699.

1986 Nissan Micra Colette