We just love hatchbacks.
The 1996 Daihatsu Mira TR-XX Avanzato R hatchback has a 659cc four cylinder engine. Other than a race inspired, and large logo on the side, this is one car and brand I just can’t seem to fully embrace. (image source: John Lloyd)
1996 Daihatsu Mira TR-XX Avanzato R
The 1978 Datsun 510 hatchback was sporty and compact and had rare features like side-window defoggers. It was equipped with MacPherson strut front suspension for a nimble ride, a 5-speed stick for agile performance and achieved 35mpg on the highway and 25mpg in the city.
1978 Datsun 510
1978 Datsun 510 details
This 1978 Toyota Startlet looks like most of the hatchbacks of the era. With the exception of the front end. It’s very similar to cars like the Volkswagen Rabbit, to name just one. (image source: John Lloyd)
1978 Toyota Startlet
1978 Toyota Startlet bumper, hatch and stick shift
This 1973 Datsun Cherry 120A Coupe (hatchback) has got to have the best “car ass” ever. The rear vent (which I have to assume is fake) looks like the ones people now buy at the K-Mart auto parts section and stick them on their cars, often in triplicate. (image source: John Lloyd)
1973 Datsun Cherry 120A Coupe
For as attractive as I find this 1973 Datsun Cherry Estate, there is nothing “estate” about it. It’s just a very cool hatch that looks very much like the original Honda Civics. (image source: John Lloyd)
1973 Datsun Cherry Estate
Offcially, this 1976 Datsun Cherry F-II was called a coupe, but as you can clearly see, the rear opens like a hatch, which makes it a hatchback in my book. The 1977 Datsun Cherry FII Hatchback looked very different, but I like them both. (image source: John Lloyd)
1976 Datsun Cherry F-II
1976 Datsun Cherry F-II
In 1978, a three-door hatchback known as the Vauxhall Cavalier Sports 2000 Hatch was added to the range. It sold for £3473.
1978 Vauxhall Cavalier Sports 2000 Hatch
The 1974 Astre Hatchback GT from Pontiac was their Canadian built small economy car (which was a Vega with Pontiac trim) available only in Canada from 1973 to 1974, but was then brought to the US in 1975. Its lightweight aluminum engine was easy on gas. The interior included Premier plaid cloth and vinyl trim on deep full-foam seats. It came in three models, the hatchback shown here, as well as a coupe and a Safari station-wagon.
1974 Pontiac Astre Hatchback GT
Audi is on fire. There is no better brand out there today, and with their extensive expansion into almost every category, the new 2012 Audi A1 S-Line does not disappoint. This 5-door hatch is coming in early 2012 with choice of 12 paint finishes and a choice of six four-cylinder engines, with a maximum of 185hp.
2012 Audi A1 S-line
2012 Audi A1 S-line
the 1992 Dacia 1325 Liberta has a bit of Renault Fuego in it, despite that it was not built by Renault. I love the classic boxy look, and while it appears like it’s more from the late 70s, this 1992 effort from Romania seems to embrace the past quite well. (image source: John Lloyd)
1992 Dacia 1325 Liberta
The 2013 Chevrolet Spark is a five-door hatchback with a 1.2 liter four-cylinder, developing 85.2 horse power. It will debut at the 2011 Los Angeles International Auto Show and is the only car in its segment to offer a seven-inch color touch screen radio capable of displaying smart phone-based navigation, media and contacts for hands-free calling.
2013 Chevrolet Spark
2013 Chevrolet Spark
The 2011 SEMA show is the stage for Chevrolet’s Sonic Z-Spec #1, where designers took a turbocharged Sonic five-door and added concept Z-Spec accessories including ground effects, spoiler, grille and graphics package. The Torch Red exterior is finished off with concept Z-Spec 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Cobalt Red cabin features custom trimming, including perforated black suede seat inserts, a concept Z-Spec sport pedal kit, sport shift knob and a racing-style flat-bottom steering wheel.
2011 Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec #1
2011 Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec #1
Could this 1985 Nissan Prairie be any uglier? Some might ask this but I think it’s awkward profile could make it something interesting to have.
This vehicle was all about space, and luxury – according to Nissan. The roof line is 8″ higher than a typical car and the load platform is only 17″ from the ground. There are no central door pillars and the rear doors slide back to leave a clear open space. Even the seat belts are built-in to the front does to create more space. The interior is not only spacious, it is infinitely flexible. The rear seats recline, just like the front ones, or fold forward to give a cavernous storage space four feet high and five feet long. Or you can fold all the seats flat into a double bed for overnight camping.
The Prairie has a highly efficient lightweight OHC engine, with either 1.5 liters or a 1.8 liter (which had a top speed of 100 MPH), depending on the level of performance you want. Both engines are fitted transversely to give even more space and drive the front wheels though a five speed overdrive gearbox for outstanding economy and safe, sure handling. The high level of equipment included push-button radio, heat-reflecting glass, quartz clock, remote control for door mirrors and tailgate and petrol flaps, all standard. There was even a new “Anniversary II” model, with extra luxury items such as electric windows. Lastly, it came with a 100,000 mile/3-year warranty and a 6-year body warranty.
(image #2 source: John Lloyd).
1985 Nissan Prairie
1985 Nissan Prairie
The 1979 AMC Pacer DL was a package that included a more upscale edition of Pacer, and was available for the entire run of the car becoming the “base” model in 1978. This package was more “luxurious” including, originally, a “Navajo-design” seating fabric and a woodgrain instrument panel as well as a few interior features that were optional without it. The exterior received additional chrome accents, different wheelcovers, and identification badging. 1979-1980 saw a hood ornament and center chrome strip down the hood. (image source: eBay)
1979 AMC Pacer DL
1979 AMC Pacer DL
1979 AMC Pacer DL
1979 AMC Pacer DL interior
The 1996 Nissan Praire Joy 5-door hatchback is one more nasty looking vehicle from this period. This one was sold in Japan. (image source: John Lloyd).
1996 Nissan Praire Joy
Nissan Praire Joy logo