Volvo 1800ES : 1971

1971 Volvo 1800ES

Volvo sold its first 1800 in 1961. Since then, the car had gone through thousands of engineering refinements and three designation changes, from the P-1800 to 1800S and in 1970 to the 1800E. In 1971, Volvo introduced the 1800ES. While the shape and style was new, the engineering inside was not and was the result of an 11 year evolutionary process.

In 1970, Volvo replaced the carburetors in their sports cars with an electronic fuel injection system. Coupled with a computer unit under the dashboard, the system metered out the exact amount of fuel the engine required to work at peak efficiency. The result was a cleaner exhaust and cleaner air and in 1971, they made the engine run on 91-octane gasoline which increaser gas mileage and performance and produces even cleaner air.

The B20F four-cylinder, fuel injected engine was bench tested to the equivalent of 90 MPH for 60,000 miles without braking. It has five-main-bearing crankshaft, electronic fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and overflow sensor and a full-flow oil filter. Its 121 cubic inch displacement, with a bore of 3.50 in. and a stroke of 3.15 in. produced an maximum output of 125 HP SAE at 6,000 RPM with 123 lb ft. of torque at 3,500 RPM.

It had a four-speed manual transmission, fully synchronized with remote control linkage and electronically operated overdrive on fourth gear. It was also available with an optional three-speed fully automatic transmission with floor mounted P-R-N-D-2-1 shift quadrant.

The 1800ES roofline was extended to the tail of the car, creating 35 cubic feet of trunk space behind the front seats. Volvo only produced 1657 of this model for the American market.

(source: Volvo)

1971 Volvo 1800ES

Hyundai Pony : 1984

1984 Hyundai Pony

The 1984 refined and improved Hyundai Pony was new for Canada, but had already been rolling off the production line since 1975 was was very familiar in the rest of the world and was a best seller in South Korea. The Pony L had fully reclining front bucket seats, a rear window defroster, full interior carpeting from the tip of the driver’s toe to the end of the cargo space. It came with Michelin all-season steel belted radial tires, childproof door locks, and even a cigarette lighter. All for just $5,795. The more deluxe GL package was $6,395. Of course, if you were a big roller, you could opt for the GLS package for $6,695. All with the proven Swedish Tuff Kote Dinol factory rust proofing system.

1984 Hyundai Pony

Mercury Tracer LS2 : 1988

1988 Mercury Tracer LS2

The 1988 Mercury Tracer LS2 (also available as a 4-door hatchback) was a sporty little front wheel drive car that left virtually nothing to be desired. Built and backed by Ford, the technologically advanced Tracer, with its disc brakes, independent suspension and power steering, was a product of their best designers and engineers throughout the world. It got significant praise and was a run-away sales success on two continents. It was sold thru Ford’s extensive Canadian Mercury dealer network.

1988 Mercury Tracer LS2

Subaru Rex Combi AWD Turbo : 1984

1984 Subaru Rex Combi AWD Turbo

The Subaru Rex Combi AWD Turbo was initially introduced in December 1983. It was the second generation of the model by Subaru which was produced from 1972 to 1992, and was known by a variety of names, like the Ace, Viki and Sherpa among others. It had a 544cc engine.

1984 Subaru Rex Combi AWD Turbo

Dodge Colt Custom : 1980

1980 Dodge Colt Custom

The 1980 Dodge Colt Custom is practically identical to the Plymouth Champ (other than a handful of badges and a few details) It is the perfect example of badge engineering, and in fact, I’ve used the same text as the Champ post (as they did in the original manufacturer advertising – it was basically a “Hatchback Package” that included Rallye suspension components that put handling toughness into this economical performer. There is simply nothing else to say.

1980 Dodge Colt Custom

Plymouth Champ Custom : 1980

1980 Plymouth Champ Custom

The 1980 Plymouth Champ Custom was basically a “Hatchback Package” that included Rallye suspension components that put handling toughness into this economical performer. A nice little simply and clean ride.

1980 Plymouth Champ Custom

Dodge Colt Turbo : 1984

1984 Dodge Colt Turbo

The 102 HP 1984 Dodge Colt Turbo was imported for Dodge and Plymouth by Mitsubishi and with its 1.6 liter, turbocharged, electronically controlled injected 4 cylinder engine, went from 0 to 50 in 5.78 seconds rolling on Michelin XVS 165/70 HR 13’s, with non-linear high-control springs, solid front and rear stabilizer bars (.79″ upfront and .57″ in the back), heavy duty transmission and clutch and front gas-filled shocks. Front air dam, rear spoiler, tachometer, halogen headlamps and a sport braking system were all standard. A few other details include a Turbo Boost of 7.5 lbs, psi, the 102 bhp was reached at 5500 rpm, its power to weight ratio was 19.77 lbs per hp, Torque of 122 lbs-ft @ 3,000 rpm and 4×2 Twin Stick transmission.

1984 Dodge Colt Turbo

Volkswagen Golf GTI concept : 2012

2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI concept.

The 2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI concept was shown at the 2012 Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris and for the first time, is being offered with two power levels (220 PS in standard version and 230 PS with performance pack) when it goes on sale in early 2013. This is the hatch that made them cool. Nothing comes close to this on the market today, and it still looks great, even after seven generations.

2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI concept.

Peugeot 104 ZS2 : 1979

1979 Peugeot 104 ZS2

Peugeot launched the 104 ZS in 1976. It was powered by a 66 horsepower 1,124cc four-cylinder engine. But the brand was interested in Group 2 racing and in 1979 , launched the Pininfarina designed ZS2. Its power was from a 1,361cc engine developing 93 HP. It was front wheel drive and had a manual transmission. The ZS 2 was only available in 1979 and cost 38,000 Francs. It is a real beauty and, I for one, would buy it today. (thanks to Ran When Parked)

1979 Peugeot 104 ZS2

Mercury LN7 : 1982

1982 Mercury LN7

The 1982 Mercury LN7 is a very rare ride. It was a car that was “right for the times” and was one of the first two-seaters offered by Ford (along with the EXP) in over 25 years. It was a stylish, contemporary and sporty front-wheel drive car with rack-and-pinion steering, independent rear suspension and advanced hemispherical head, 1.6 liter 80 HP engine with two-barrel carburetor that got 29 MPG in the city and 46 MPG on the highway.

Its unique “bubbleback” rear lift back gave it a exciting new contemporary image, along with its sharply sloped windshield, wheel arches with prominent lips, and wide body side moldings.  It was first shown at the Chicago Auto Show and introduced in April 1981 as an early 1982 model. It was not a hit and by 1983, it was dropped after only 40,000 units produced. (image source: John Lloyd)

1982 Mercury LN7

1982 Mercury LN7

1982 Mercury LN7

Rover 3500 : 1980

1980 Rover 3500 (SD1)

Rover SD1 is both the code name and eventual production name given to a series of large executive cars built by British Leyland (BL), under the Rover marque. The car was produced from 1976–1986 and 303,345 produced in total.m In 1971, Rover began developing a new car, and the project was first code-named RT1 (for Rover Triumph Number 1) but then soon changed to SD1 (for Specialist Division Number 1) as Rover and Triumph were put in the new “Specialist Division” of BL. It was launched on its home market in June 1976 in liftback form only. Between 1976 and 1981 there were some very minor updates to the car including new badging (front and rear) and chrome backed door mirrors. In 1980 Rover obtained US type approval for the SD1 and re-entered the American market after a ten-year absence. The car was only made available as a single variant, using a modified version of the V8 engine and badged simply as “Rover 3500” as you can see in this 1980 Rover 3500.

(This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It includes content from this Wikipedia article.)

1980 Rover 3500

Mercury Bobcat 3-Door Runabout : 1976

1976 Mercury Bobcat 3-Door Runabout

1976 Mercury Bobcat 3-Door Runabout “Woody” featured a striking new simulated woodgrain option applique of simulated cherry woodgrain on the side and back panels with bright surround moldings. The interior was special too, with standard body-countored bucket seats. Backrests have been designed to give comfortable support as you drive. We ride was smooth, quiet and wide-stanced. A 2.3 liter OHC 4-cylinder engine performed briskly with extensive use of sound deadeners and insulation for a quiet ride. Even the underside of the hood was blanketed with fiberglass to help hush the engine sound. It had rack and pinion steering, front disc brakes and a standard manual. Among other options to help you personalize your Bobcat were a sunroof, forged aluminum wheels and sports vinyl roof.

1976 Mercury Bobcat 3-Door Runabout

Pontiac Sunbird Sport Safari Station Wagon : 1979

1979 Pontiac Sunbird Sport Safari Station Wagon

For 1978 and 1979, the station wagon from the discontinued Astre series was added to the Sunbird line, as seen here in this 1979 Pontiac Sunbird Sport Safari Station Wagon example. They continued to use the same front fascia as the Astre with Sunbird badging. The 2.3 L engine was simultaneously discontinued.

For the 1979 model year, the Chevrolet‘s 5.0 L (305 cid) V8 engine was made optional in the notchback and hatchback, while the Sunbird Safari wagon continued for its final year with a revised vertical styled grill. The 1979 engine options included the 305-V8, 3.8L-V6 and an 2.5L-I4. (image source: coconv)

1979 Pontiac Sunbird Sport Safari Station Wagon

AMC Pacer : 1976

1976 AMC Pacer

The 1976 AMC Pacer was the second year of its production, which lasted until 1980. The design explorations for this vehicle started back in 1971 by Richard Teague that Car & Driver magazine called The Flying Fishbowl, and AMC promoted it in 1975 as the first small wide car. Check out this very informative in-depth documentary which tells the true story of the AMC Pacer.

1976 AMC Pacer

Volkswagen Golf : 1974

1974 Volkswagen Golf (Mk1)

Golf Mk1 – 1974 to 1983.
The first full-production Golf rolled off the production line in Wolfsburg in March 1974 and was in Volkswagen dealerships that May. In those showrooms, where for decades the Beetle and thus rear-mounted engines and rear-wheel drive had dominated the scene, a new era had thus dawned: that of the transversely mounted front engine and front-wheel drive. This trend had been heralded a short time earlier by the Scirocco and – as the first Volkswagen front-wheel drive car, based on the K70 taken over from NSU – the Passat, launched in 1973. With the launch of the Golf, the highest volume vehicle category had now also been switched to the new technology.

As the successor to the legendary Beetle, of which over 21.5 million units were made, the Golf Mk1 designed by Giorgio Giugiaro had to live up to the great expectations of continuing the success story of what until then was the world’s most successful car. In the spring of 1974, nobody could really be sure that this would indeed be achieved. However, the modern and reliable drive system, the spacious internal layout with a tailgate and fold-down rear seat and ultimately the design as well won over the market to such an extent that production of the one-millionth Golf was already being celebrated in October 1976.

Volkswagen wrote at that time about the new car: “The Golf offers maximum luggage space and safety. It is laid out uncompromisingly for practical use. The low beltline provides clarity, the sloping bonnet allows a clear view of the road right up to just in front of the car and the low rear window makes reversing easy.” And that applies to this day.

Like every Golf thereafter, the first generation too was already a reflection of the progress and automotive trends of its era. Thus, for example, in launching the first Golf GTI (in 1976) Volkswagen heralded the introduction of greater dynamism in this class, while the Golf D (naturally aspirated diesel engine, 1976) and the later Golf GTD (turbodiesel, 1982) marked the breakthrough for diesel cars in the compact segment. In 1979, with the Golf Cabriolet – at times the world’s best-selling open-top car – Volkswagen brought a breath of fresh air into a vehicle category that by that time had long been simply called the ‘Golf class’. 6.72 million units of the first generation Golf, including all derivatives and the Jetta (at that time based on the same body), were sold across every continent of the globe – the Golf had proved itself a worthy successor to the Beetle. (source: Volkswagen)

1974 Volkswagen Golf (Mk1)