1976 Mercury Bobcat 3 Door Runabout
Hatch Heaven
We just love hatchbacks.
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Honda Civic : 1976
This 1976 Honda Civic, powered by a 1.4 liter inline four engine showcases the variety of options available at the time. Some of which included two kinds of roof racks. One for luggage and one for skis. For the bottom, there were color cordinated side protective molding, decal striping and mag style wheels. And for in-between, air cinditioning, custom FM 8-track or FM cassette stereo players, optional speakers, tachometer instrument grouping, outside sports style mirrors, bumper overriders, everything from rear deck tonneau covers to special gearshift knobs.
1976 Honda Civic
Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo : 1986
The 1986 Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo had a “racer” look starting with its new machined-surface aluminum alloy wheels and larger high-performance low profile 195/60HR14 tires. Further enhancements included color keyed aerodynamic add-onsand new, more agrresive grill with aerodynamic halogen headlights. Refinements to this popular front wheel drive included a 1.8 liter turbocharged engine with automatic valve lash adjusters for reduced maintenance and greater convenience, automatic spark advance at higher altitudes for improved mountain driving performance and cold start spark advance for better cold start drivability, and producing 116 horsepower.
“Euro-Sport” interior had a new buckskin knit/tweed seat material with “TURBO” embossing on the seat backs and upgraded rear parcel shelf for enhanced look and feel. (image source: John Lloyd)
1986 Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo
Daihatsu Charade DeTomaso : 1994
This was the fourth generation (starting in 1993) of the Charade, which was initially introduced in 1977. The 1994 Daihatsu Charade DeTomaso was a Japanese tribute to Alessandro deTomaso and had 124 HP. It came with a special body kit, Recaro seats, Nardi Torino steering wheel, Pirelli tires and a host of other interior decorative bits. (image source: John Lloyd)
1994 Daihatsu Charade DeTomaso
Mitsubishi Celeste : 1976
The Mitsubishi Celeste (sold in Japan) was almost an identical copy of the Plymouth Arrow. its square headlights and rear view mirrors on the hood were the quickest way to visually separate them. It came in four models, the 1400 ST, 1600 GT, 2000 GSR and the 2000 GSR-A/T. (image source: John Lloyd)
1976 Mitsubishi Celeste
Volkswagen Golf R : 2014
The Volkswagen GTi usually takes the spotlight off the more powerful R, but this 2014 rocket will get you from 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds powered by a newly designed 296-horsepower TSI® engine, which is 30 hp stronger but up to 18 per cent more fuel efficient than the engine in the previous model. The Golf R’s top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. The new model also transfers its turbocharged power to the road via a permanent all-wheel drive system; in this case, the latest version of the 4MOTION® system with a fifth-generation Haldex® coupling.
The market launch in Europe will start in the fourth quarter of 2013 with prices (in Germany) starting from €38,325.
2014 Volkswagen Golf R.
Mazda Familia cutaway : 1980
Mazda launched the fifth-generation Familia (Mazda 323) 1300/1500 in 1980. The hatchback went on sale in June (followed by the sedan in September). Although employing a front-engine front-wheel-drive (FF) configuration for the first time in the Familia Series, Mazda wanted the fifth-generation model to attain the direct shift feel of a FR car.
The ingenious SS suspension assured exceptional handling stability, and the highly functional rear seats featured reclining angle adjustment, as well as a two-way split configuration that enabled either side to be folded forward.
With the hatchback, Mazda focused on the growing interest in outdoor pursuits amongst the younger generation, which was the Familia’s targeted customer base. Based on the sharp ride for which the Familia had built a reputation, Mazda used the catchphrase “Sporting heart” and signed actor Kinya Kitaouji to appear in its commercials.
This strategy definitely paid off. With a power sunroof fitted as standard equipment, the “Red XG” was well received by the market. Often pictured with a surfboard mounted on the roof rack, the Familia’s angular wedge-shaped design and sporty appearance proved to be extremely popular, and earned it the nickname “land surfer.” The “Red Familia” quickly became a symbol of the age.
The fifth-generation Familia was the first to be named Japan Car of the Year, and it won many more awards in the US and Australia. In Japan, the Familia often topped the monthly sales results over such formidable rivals as the Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sunny, sometimes selling over 13,000 units per month.
In 1982, only 27 months after the start of production, cumulative sales of the Familia reached one million units. The achievement set a new record, beating the Chevrolet Citation (GM), which took 29 months to reach unit sales of one million, and the VW Golf, which took 31 months. (source: Mazda)
1980 Mazda Familia
1980 Mazda Familia cutaway
Citroen Visa Drapeau : 1982
in 1982, Citroen introduced the special edition Visa Drapeau, which was one of four “collector” cars that included the Platinum, the Cote D’Azur, the Drapeau and the Pallas SE. The 5-door hatchback Visa Drapeau made a dashing appearance with racy red and blue stripes on a white base, and had alloy wheels, tinted glass, a laminated windscreen and headrests. It even got 58 MPG.
1982 Citroen Visa Drapeau
Citroen Visa Platinum : 1982
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
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
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
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
Peugeot 104 ZS : 1979
The 1979 Peugeot 104 ZS 3-door hatchback had a 1124 cc engine that produced a top speed of 97 MPH with a 0-60 time of around 15 seconds. For smoother and more effortless braking, the dual circuit brakes were power assisted. Peugeot’s claimed luxurious interior included super-soft checked cloth upholstery, head restraints on the front seats, carpet in the front, comprehensive instruments, with electronic rev counter, padded sports steering wheel, heated rear window and an electric clock.
1979 Peugeot 104 ZS
Toyota Starlet 1.2 GL : 1979
1979 Toyota Starlet 1.2 1200 GL 5-door hatchback came with a 5-speed manual transmission (the 1000 GL had a -speed) and courtesy lights on al five does as standard. Another feature to note is the bi-level heater which could allow cold air to come in from the dashboard vents, and warm air to emerge at feet level. There was also a special air-mix mechanism which lets you adjust the temperature freely and had side window dimisters and was somewhat quiet since it was “soundproofed”. Outside, it had a distinctive look with its sport wheels, matte black bumpers which were as practical as they were attractive and all-around protective side moldings. Other features fitted as standard included a door mirror, lockable petrol flap, matt-black windshield wipers to cut down on glare plus a heated rear window with washer/wiper. The hatchback door could either be opened from the outside with a key or from a lever in the driver’s compartment. Even the both the back seats up, there’s still 6.0 cubic feet of space for luggage. They fold independently, but when they are both folded down, your space grows to 21.2 cubic feet.
1979 Toyota Starlet 1.2 GL
Toyota Yaris : 2013
The fun, efficient Toyota Yaris, which was all-new for the 2012 model year, continues into 2013 in this five-door liftback model, and is also available in a three-door version. With a $14,370 MSRP, it 1.5 liter 4-cyliunder develops 106 HP. The 2013 Yaris is offered in three grades, with the entry-level L and value-packaged LE editions available either as a three-door liftback or five-door liftback. The sport-tuned SE is available only as a five-door.
2013 Toyota Yaris 5-door hatchback