Audi Quattro : 1989

1989 Audi Quattro 20v.

The Audi Quattro is automotive legend. It is what put that brand on the modern map. Total sales in the USA were 664 and everyone wanted one. It was first shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show on March 3rd on an ice rink. Its five-cylinder turbocharged engine delivered 147 kW (200 hp) from 2.1 liters of displacement. The Sport quattro, the homologation version designed in 1984 for the Rally World Championship, had even more power. Thanks to its four-valve technology and aluminum crankcase, the five-cylinder engine delivered 265 kW (306 hp).

1989 Audi Quattro 20v.

Published on April 19, 2012 12:14 pm.
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Renault Encore : 1984

1984 Renault Encore

In 1984, The Encore was Renault‘s application of European aesthetics to the functionality of a hatchback design via its panoramic dimensions of the rear window. The aerodynamics not only produced visual pleasure, it also reached an impressive 52 MPG on the highway and 38 in the city. The independent suspension, power front disc brakes, and electronic fuel injection created  sophisticated handling and performance. The 60/40 split rear folding seat was a real benefit when loading large objects. It was built in the USA by American Motors and had an MSRP of $5,755.

1984 Renault Encore

Published on April 16, 2012 7:11 pm.
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Mercury Lynx LS-3 Hatchback : 1981

1981 Mercury Lynx LS-3 Hatchback

The 1981 Mercury Lynx LS-3 Hatchback was only sold in Canada. It’s sophisticated world-class technology had 13 patents with an additional 14 pending approval. Innovations like the new Compound Valve Hemi-head (CVH) four-cylinde engine, teamed with the standard four-speed, fully synchronized manual transaxle with fuel-efficient fourth-gear overdrive as well as an optional all-new three-speed automatic transaxle achieved world-class fuel economy.

With a highway rating of 54 MPG highway and 42 MPG city, it had the highest fuel economy rating of any North American car sold in Canada.

The Lynx was front wheel drive and featured four-wheel independent suspension system, with steel-belted radial tires, new design split-diagonal dual brakes and a new rack-and-pinion steering system.

The interior was roomy and held four adults comfortably with contoured front bucket seats and generous cargo space, especially with the rear seats down.

1981 Mercury Lynx LS-3 Hatchback

Published on March 29, 2012 9:55 pm.
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Honda Accord AeroDeck : 1986

1986 Honda Accord AeroDeck

1986 Honda Accord AeroDeck was sold as a three-door hatchback with a flat roof over the rear seats. It was offered only in Japan and Europe where it was known as a shooting-brake. The tailgate is a “gulling” door, which makes loading easier. Retractable headlights further reduce drag giving the Aerodeck an impressive 0.34 Drag Coefficient. It was available in two models, the EXi, which had a 1955 cc engine developing 122PS and the EX at 106PS. The EX had an MSRP of £9.7900 and the EXi at £9,950. You can even take a peek at the AeroDeck TV spot from Japan. (images: Tamerlane’s)

1986 Honda Accord AeroDeck

1986 Honda Accord AeroDeck

1986 Honda_Aerodeck logo

 

 

Published on March 26, 2012 9:11 pm.
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Honda Civic : 1985

1985 Honda Civic

$5,399 got you into the 1985 Honda Civic, complete with front-wheel drive, rack and pinion steering, full carpeting, door glass defrosters, steel-belted radial tires, overtaking headlight flasher, power assisted self-adjusting front disc brakes, trip odometer, torsion bar front suspension, trailing link rear suspension with nitrogen gas filled shock absorbers, front air dam, remote-control outside mirror, a coin box, day/night rearview mirror, reclining front bucket seats with adjustable headrests and opening rear quarter windows, all pushed by a a 1342cc engine.

1985 Honda Civic

Published on March 26, 2012 8:17 pm.
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Dodge Omni : 1988

1988 Dodge Omni

The 1988 front-wheel drive Dodge Omni (introduced in 1978) is almost a poster child car for the 1980s, complete with velour seats and steel wheels. It was similar to the Plymouth Horizon and was one of the cars that brought Chrysler back to profitability. Its 2.2 liter four cylinder engine developed 94 HP. (image source: Donoho Auto)

1988 Dodge Omni

1988 Dodge Omni

1988 Dodge Omni interior

1988 Dodge Omni interior

Published on March 26, 2012 1:55 pm.
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Volkswagen Scirocco : 1987

1987 Volkswagen Scirocco

1987 Volkswagen Scirocco’s 16-valve dual overhead camshaft engine developed 123 hp and reached 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. It had independent torsion beam suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, 4-wheel disc brakes and a 5-speed close ratio transmission.

1987 Volkswagen Scirocco

Published on March 17, 2012 10:13 pm.
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Toyota Celica USGP : 1980

1980 Toyota Celica USGP

The aerodynamic styling and spirited performance of the Celica GT Liftback quickly secured the title “Import Car of the Year for 1976 and again in 1978.

The 1980 Toyota Celica USGP (which stands for United States Grand Prix) was a one-year only model produced to commemorate Toyota’s association with Grand Prix racing in the United States. Toyota had been actively involved in Grand Prix racing as the Official Pace Car of the Long Beach Grand Prix from 1975, and the Toyota Grand Prix of the United States at Watkins Glen since 1977. It came in Red, White (shown below) or Blue. It is believed that only 200 were produced of each color and it weighed just 2530 pounds.

This $750.00 option was offered only in 1980 and included the following:
Exterior:
• A special honeycomb grill
• Flat Black B pillars
• Special “Grand Prix” two-color side stripes
• Mud guards
• Aluminum alloy wheels and 185/70 HR14 steel-belted radial ply tires raised white letters
Interior:
• Ivory vinyl seats with black piping
• Ivory colored headliner and door panels
• Black leather wrapped steering wheel
• A high performance sound system, which featured electronic AM/FM tuner, cassette deck, equalizer/amplifier and four speakers
• A USGP dash plaque.

The 90hp, 2.2 liter 4-cylinder SOHC engine delivered smooth yet powerful acceleration. 5-speed overdrive transmission reduced engine wear.

The interior included complete instrumentation, including tachometer, which let you monitor the engines’ performance. MacPerson strut front suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars provided a fairly precise and comfortable ride. A power assisted front disc/rear drum brakes brought it to s smooth stop.

For personal luxury, an illuminated entry system greets you when you turn the door lock key and the driver’s seat adjusts six different ways and even included adjustable lumbar support.

1980 Toyota Celica USGP

1980 Toyota Celica USGP high performance sound system.

1980 Toyota Celica USGP

Red 1980 Toyota Celica USGP

Red 1980 Toyota Celica USGP

Red 1980 Toyota Celica USGP

Red 1980 Toyota Celica USGP interior

1980 Toyota Celica USGP high performance sound system.

Published on March 17, 2012 12:44 pm.
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Honda Accord : 1982

1982 Honda Accord

1982 saw the introduction of the new and improved Honda Accord, which was roomier inside and longer outside. It rode smoother and handled better. With the 5-speed, a gallon of gas got you 30 miles in the city or 41 on the highway. It still had its proven front-wheel drive and transverse-mounted engine.

1982 Honda Accord

Published on March 7, 2012 9:06 pm.
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Chevrolet Citation : 1980

1980 Chevrolet Citation

The 1980 Chevrolet Citation 4-door hatchback sedan could be the great grand father of the new Audi A7 and in its day, it was a quite useful and practical vehicle and was Motor Trend magazine’s Car of the Year for 1980. It was produced from 1980 thru 1985.

1980 Chevrolet Citation

Published on March 2, 2012 10:15 pm.
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Volkswagen Rabbit L : 1981

1981 Volkswagen Rabbit L

The 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit L was a step up from the base model, including its cloth interior. The Rabbit  is one of the most important vehicles ever produced and was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, of the ItalDesign design studio. The first Golf (VW internal designation Typ 17) began production in 1974, and was marketed in the UnitedStates and Canada from 1975 to 1984. Many generations later and it continues to be one of our favorites. (image source: Karmann Ghias)

1981 Volkswagen Rabbit L

1981 Volkswagen Rabbit L

 

Published on March 2, 2012 9:30 pm.
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Talbot Sunbeam Lotus : 1980

1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus

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

1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus

Published on February 10, 2012 10:27 am.
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Fiat Panda : 1981

1981 Fiat Panda

While it doesn’t look it, you could fit a family of five, with luggage in the 1981 Fiat Panda and still get 35 MPG in the city and 56 MPG on the highway. Creature comforts included tinted windows, a rear windscreen wiper, reclining seats which folded down into a double bed, head restraints, and a six year anti corrosion warranty. All for £2,995.

1981 Fiat Panda

1981 Fiat Panda

Published on February 9, 2012 3:49 pm.
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Mazda GLC : 1981

1981 Mazda GLC

The 1981 Mazda GLC was conceived, engineered and built to be nothing less than the new state of the art in front-wheel-drive technology. Among its refinements was a more powerful yet more economical 1.5 liter 4 cylinder engine. Advanced 4-wheel independent suspension and a redesigned rack-and-pinion steering system which was alot of fun to drive. The shift was quick and positive and had one of the shortest turning radius around. The interior was one of the roomiest in its class, with reclining front bucket seats, split fold-down rear seat backs, electric rear window defroster and remote control driver’s door mirror. It offered an impressive 43 MPG highway and 35 MPG city. The GLC Custom had an MSRP of just $5,295.

1981 Mazda GLC

Published on February 9, 2012 3:13 pm.
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Renault Encore : 1985

1985 Renault Encore

The 1985 front-wheel drive Renault Encore’s unique pedestal seats offered an extra degree of style and rear legroom giving it an amazing perspective on hatchback design. The fold-down rear seats was designed to extend the cargo space convenience. The Encore’s 4-wheel independent suspension with twin coaxial rear torsion bars and power front disc/rear drum brakes results in impressive performance and handling. Choice of engines included the optional 1.7 liter, for increased performance. Electronic fuel injection produced fuel ratings of 40 MPG highway and 34 MPG city. It was built in America and had an MSRP of $5959.

1985 Renault Encore

Renault logo

 

Published on February 7, 2012 4:40 pm.
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