Ford Fiesta Ghia : 1978

1978 Ford Fiesta

The 1978 Ford Fiesta Ghia was engineered and built to exacting standards by Ford of Germany and achieved excellent EPA fuel economy ratings of 46 MPG highway and 34 MPG in the city. Front wheel drive and a transverse-mouned 1.6 liter OHV engine put more over the driving wheels to help improve traction. Its drivability was enhanced by rack-and-pinion steering for more precise control and a MacPherson strut front suspension system for improved directional stability. It had Michelin steel-belted radial tires, front discs brakes, carpeting and a fold-down rear seat. The 3-door Fiesta hatchback was a beautiful value.

1978 Ford Fiesta Ghia

AMC Pacer X : 1976

1976 AMC Pacer X

This 1976 AMC Pacer X has the “X” Package, which was available from 1975-1978 in coupe form and consisted of vinyl bucket seats, sports steering wheel and custom trim, as well as a floor-mounted gear shift and front sway bar. The model received exterior chrome features, styled road wheels, Pacer X decals on the doors, and other package identification. It was renamed “Sport” in 1978 and subsequently eliminated.

1976 AMC Pacer X

Ford Pinto Runabout Squire : 1976

1976 Ford Pinto Runabout Squire

1976 Ford Pinto Runabout Squire 3-door hatchback was a small, fun and economical car that was fun to drive. The Runabout went on sale five days after it was shown at the 1971 Chicago Auto Show, and has an MSRP of $2,062.

1976 Ford Pinto Runabout Squire

Chevrolet Vega Panel : 1972

1972 Chevrolet Vega Panel

The 1972 Chevrolet Vega Panel was basically a delivery vehicle hatchback. It was a way to save on initial cost, maintenance, gasoline (it got 25 MPG) and insurance. It was slightly over 14 feet long and had a turning radius of 33 feet.

1972 Chevrolet Vega Panel

1972 Chevrolet Vega Panel

Nissan Pulsar Milano X-1 Hatchback : 1984

1984 Nissan Pulsar Milano X-1 Hatchback

The first-generation Nissan Pulsar, the N10, was launched in May 1978 and after two full model changes, the N13 was launched on May 7, 1986.

The N13’s distinguishing feature was its sporty styling, which combined flowing curved surfaces and sharp lines. Three body types were available: the 3-door hatchback, the 5-door hatchback, and the 4-door saloon. There were also five engines: 4 gasoline (1,300cc, 1,500cc, and 1,600cc twin-cam) and a diesel engine (1,700cc). Altogether, there were 33 basic models in the lineup.
The Milano X1 series was a sports-grade model available as a 3-door hatchback or 4-door saloon. The X1 twin-cam was positioned as the sportiest model, at the top end of the series.

What attracted attention to this model, together with its newly developed 1,600cc twin-cam engine, was Japan’s first fully automatic full-time 4WD (viscous coupling type), adopted for the 4-door saloon 1500J1. This ground-breaking 4WD system – which automatically ensured optimal torque distribution to the front and rear wheels, providing an easy, safe drive – was highly praised; in fact, it was singled out in the awarding of the 1986-87 Japan Car of the Year title.

In January 1987, to commemorate winning the 1986-87 Japan Car of the Year Award, the world’s first triple-viscous, fully automatic full-time 4WD car (Milano X1-E) was launched as a limited-edition model, and available as an option for the Milano X1 twin-cam was Japan’s first viscous LSD.

1984 Nissan Pulsar Milano X-1 Hatchback

Mercury Capri II Ghia : 1976

1976 Mercury Capri II Ghia

In 1976, The Mercury Capri II Ghia was Car & Driver’s “Super Coupe Of The Year” choice (even though it was a hatchback). It was styled by Ghia of Italy and was beautifully practical. With the rear seats folded down, there is over 22-cubic feet of storage. The “Decor” option featured individually folding rear seats, and had standard features such as deep and comfortable front bucket seats, color-keyed carpeting throughout and full instrumentation. It had a 4-speed manual transmission, rack-and-pinion steering, MacPherson strut front suspension, solid state ignition, power disc front disc brakes and steel belted radial ply tires.The 2.3 liter overhead cam engine averaged 18 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. You could get an optional 2.8 liter V6, Select-Shift automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering and unique sunroof that tilts to allow outside air to circulate, electric rear window defroster and washer/wiper and vinyl luggage cover.

1976 Mercury Capri II Ghia

1976 Mercury Capri II Ghia

AMC Gremlin GT : 1978

1978 AMC Gremlin GT

The Gremlin was promoted as a sporty, fun-to-drive car, but the 1978 AMC Gremlin GT was a snappy new version that was a bit more racy looking. From the color keyed and pinstriped front air dam right back to the pinstriped fender flares. It had GT spoke-styled wheels with trim rings, DR 70×14 outline white-letter steel belted radial tires, front sway bar, GT body side stripe, body-color bumper guards and nerfing strips, dual black mirrors and much more, all standard. It had plenty of indoor sportiness too, with standard features like a brushed aluminum instrument panel with rally instrumentaion and tachometer, soft-feel vinyl bucket seats, sport steering wheel and extra quiet insulation, to name just a few.

1978 AMC Gremlin GT

Nissan March Collet : 1983

1983 Nissan March Collet

The first-generation Nissan March (K10) was launched in October of 1982. In April 1983, the fashionable, high-quality “Collet” was added to the lineup (based on the top grade G). Chic and luxurious, the Collet proved very popular with the young crowd and women. In February 1985, the first minor change was carried out. It had a maximum power of 57 PS via a 987cc inline 4-cylinder. It had a wheelbase of 2,300mm and a curb weight of 655kg.

1983 Nissan March Collet

Chevrolet Chevette : 1981

1981 Chevrolet Chevette

The Chevrolet Chevette was introduced in September 1975 and manufactured from 1976-1987. This 1981 Chevette hatchback is just one of 433,000 produced that year, which included the EST (Electronic Spark Timing) option, a one year only feature. Low-end torque and fuel economy was also improved with the addition of a new engine cylinder head design and achieved around 29 MPG. (image source: John Lloyd)

1981 Chevrolet Chevette

MK1 Golf

Volkswagen MK-1 Golf

Here is a quick look at some beautiful Volkswagen MK1 Golfs shot by Josh Holdsworth. We especially like the gold wheels.

Volkswagen MK-1 Golf

vw mk1 golf from Josh Holdsworth on Vimeo.

Pontiac Astre Estate : 1976

1976 Pontiac Astre Estate

The 1976 Pontiac Astre Estate was a small 3-door hatch in the form of a baby wagon with an overall length of just 177.6 inches and a wheelbase of 97 inches.

1976 Pontiac Astre Estate

Datsun Sunny 1000 Deluxe : 1966

1966 Datsun Sunny 1000 Deluxe B10.

Datsun asked the public to name this vehicle and “Sunny” was chosen out of 8.5 million entries. It was launched in April of 1966 and had 56 horsepower. (image source: Nissan)

1966 Datsun Sunny 1000 Deluxe B10.

Opel Kadett City : 1975

1975 Opel Kadett City

This version of the Kadett started in 1973 and was produced until 1979, but the 1975 Opel Kadett City (based on the Chevette) didn’t appear until August of that year. (image source: John Lloyd)

 

1975 Opel Kadett City

Acura Integra RS 5-door : 1986

1986 Acura Integra RS 5-Door

1986 Acura Integra RS 5-door was produced until 1989. It had a 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder that produced 113 hp @ 6250 rpm, 99 lbs-ft @ 5500 rpm. Available tramsissions incliuded a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.

1986 Acura Integra RS 5-Door

Vauxhall Bedford Chevanne : 1980

1980 Vauxhall Bedford Chevette

The 1980 Vauxhall Bedford Chevanne’s long life power unit was developed from the well-proven 1,256cm, four-cylinder, over-head-valve petrol engine of the Vauxhall Chevette cars and HA light vans.

To help keep fuel costs down, it was fitted with proven fuel saving features like a viscous-coupling fan and a thermostatically controlled pre-heat induction system. It produced 52.8 BHP net installed power, yet with its specially developed cylinder head and 7,3 to 1 compression ratio it requires only 2-star fuel. When GM’s automatic transmission was specified, a higher compression (8,7 to 1) version needing 4-star fuel is fitted to give 56.3 BHP net installed power.

Chevanne’s four-speed, all-synchromesh manual gearbox was engineered specifically to match the power, torque and weight, to give the right ratio to any situation. It is driven through a clutch which, though “heavy-duty” in design to cope with punishing  stop-start urban delivery, is light and positive in action for smooth transmission of power. You could also specify GM‘s smooth automatic transmission which included a high-compression engine, heavy duty battery, heavy duty front suspension and a cut-pile cab carpet. (image source: John Lloyd)

1980 Vauxhall Bedford Chevanne