Vauxhall Nova 3-Door : 1985

1985 Vauxhall Nova 3-Door

The 1985 Vauxhall Nova 3-Door was part of a 16 model range and became of of Britain’s top ten sellers because they were remarkably well equipped with features like head restraints, halogen headlights a dipping rear view mirror and an intermittent tailgate washer/wiper. In addition to the side stripes and a laminated windscreen, they also included a clock and door pockets for good measure. All Novas benefitted from improved suspension and a completely new range of trim fabrics. You could even get the sporty 1.3 engine from the speedy SR in the L and GL models.

1985 Vauxhall Nova 3-Door

Published on November 24, 2013 9:44 am.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Vauxhall Nova 5-Door : 1985

1985 Vauxhall Nova 5-Door

The 1985 Vauxhall Nova 5-Door was part of a 16 model range and became of of Britain’s top ten sellers because they were remarkably well equipped with features like head restraints, halogen headlights a dipping rear view mirror and an intermittent tailgate washer/wiper. In addition to the side stripes and a laminated windscreen, they also included a clock and door pockets for good measure. All Novas benefitted from improved suspension and a completely new range of trim fabrics. You could even get the sporty 1.3 engine from the speedy SR in the L and GL models.

1985 Vauxhall Nova 5-Door

Published on November 24, 2013 9:43 am.
Filed under: 5-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Honda City Turbo II : 1986

1987 Honda City Turbo II

The Honda City Turbo II  was produced by Japanese automaker Honda between 1982 and 1986, based on the naturally aspirated Honda City AA. The City Turbo was the brainchild of HirotoshiHonda, son of Honda founder Soichiro Honda as well as founder and owner of Mugen. The City Turbo is one of a very few turbocharged Honda road cars. Hirotoshi took one of Honda’s most unassuming vehicles and successfully turned it into an aggressive street rocket, considered to be well ahead of its time. Impressed, Honda took Hirotoshi’s idea and made a production version, introduced in September 1982. This little rocket had 110PS from its turbocharged and intercooled 1,2 Liter (1,231 cc) Inline-four, 12 valve CVCC-II SOHC engine. (image source: AutoWP and partial text from WikiPedia)

1986 Honda City Turbo II

Published on November 23, 2013 5:25 pm.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Opel Manta : 1981

1981 Opel Manta

The 1981 Opel Manta 3-door hatchback was referred to as the Combi Coupe. (image source: John Lloyd)

1981 Opel Manta

Published on November 23, 2013 2:38 pm.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Austin Ambassador : 1982

1982 Austin Ambassador

The 1982 Austin Ambassador model range included the 1.7L/HL with a 1.7 liter 1700cc inline 4 cylinder producing 83 HP, the 2.0HL with a 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder producing 92 HP and the 2.0HLS/VP with a 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder producing 100 HP. They were all front wheel drive and a four-speed manual transmission was standard. It had front and rear independent Hydragas suspension system, rack and pinion steering, front disc brakes with rear drum brakes, and a 37.8 turning radius. The top speed for the the 1.7L/HL was 98 MPH with a 0-60 time of 14.8 seconds, while the top speed for the 2.0HL was 101 MPH and 102 MPH for the 2.0HLS/VP with a 0-60 time of 11.5 seconds.

1982 Austin Ambassador

1982 Austin Ambassador

 

Published on November 23, 2013 12:18 pm.
Filed under: 5-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Suzuki Swift 1.3 GTI : 1986

1986 Suzuki Swift 1.3 GTI

The 1986 Suzuki Swift 1.3 GTI was the world’s first 16 valve, 1.3 Twin Cam, EPI production car and was described by AutoCar as “one of the most sophisticated small cars on the market… a twin cam tearaway… performing as no 1300cc car should”.  0-62 in 8.6b seconds with a top speed of 112 MPH. Its unique 16 valve, 1.3 twin cam, electronic petrol injection engine delivered 101 PS. It also looked great with its flush-fitting fog lamps and color matched electric door mirrors. With coil sprung three-link torsion bean rear suspension, front ventilated discs, and alloy wheels. All for just £6,750.

1986 Suzuki Swift 1.3 GTI

Published on November 23, 2013 10:11 am.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Vauxhall Chevette Sun-Hatch : 1980

1980 Vauxhall Chevette Sun-Hatch

The limited edition 1980 Vauxhall Chevette Sun-Hatch had a detachable sunroof not to mention a shower of other extras. It had tinted glass all around, sport wheels and special color metallic paint with finishing touches like amber side flashers and side moldings. Some interior features included front head restraints, a clock and a push button radio.

1980 Vauxhall Chevette Sun-Hatch

Published on November 22, 2013 6:04 pm.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

MG Metro 1300 : 1988

1988 MG Metro 1300

A glass sunroof, bronze tinted windows and a 4-speaker electronic radio-cassette were just some of the standard “luxuries” on the 1988 MG Metro 1300. The MG 1300 engine with electronic ignition produced 73PS. It had all-round independent suspension plus an anti-roll bar and ventilated disc brakes up front. The sporty interior had a 60/40 split rear seats, included a push button radio, digital clock, special upholstery co-ordinated with the fashionable exterior graphics.

1988 MG Metro 1300

Published on November 22, 2013 5:32 pm.
Filed under: 5-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Pontiac Phoenix : 1983

1983 Pontiac Phoenix

In 1980, the Pontiac Phoenix was downsized and moved to front wheel drive, and was available as 2-door coupe or this 5-door hatchback which in 1983 recieved a minor exterior refresh.

Available engines were a 2.5 L 4 cylinder and a 2.8 L V6, mated to a 3 speed automatic or 4 speed manual transmission. This second generation was built from 1980 to 1985 and then replaced with the Grand Am.

1983 Pontiac Phoenix

Published on November 22, 2013 11:27 am.
Filed under: 5-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Toyota Corolla Trueno GTV : 1985

1985 Toyota Corolla Trueno GTV

The 1985 Toyota Corolla Trueno GTV Twin Cam 16 (AE86) had the “Lasre Pegasus” suspension, LSD differential and interior trim design as the two door (known as the GT). It was introduced by Toyota in 1983 as part of the fifth generation Toyota Corolla lineup. It  had front vented disc brakes and rear solid disc brakes as standard equipment and didn’t change much during its almost 5-year run except for minor exterior trim pieces. The earlier versions are called “Zenki” (the first), and the later versions are referred to as “Kouki” (last). It was equipped with a DOHC 16-valve Inline-4 which produced 112 HP.

1985 Toyota Corolla Trueno GTV

Published on October 22, 2013 2:01 pm.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Ford Escort : 1982

1982 Ford Escort

For 1982, Ford added this new 4-door Escort hatchback. Comparable front and rear-seat head and leg room, superior fuel economy 0f 47 MPG highway and 31 city and a substantially lower price tag made it more than competitive with larger sub-compacts and compacts from other American automakers. This year offered several improvements, like larger standard tires, more front seat leg-room and a new optional close-ratio manual transaxle for livelier through-the-gears performance.

 

1982 Ford Escort

Published on October 22, 2013 10:04 am.
Filed under: 5-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Subaru Hatchback : 1980

1980 Subaru Hatchback

The 1980 front wheel drive Subaru Hatchback was a true economy car that retailed for $3,999 and achieved 41 MPG highway and 32 city. It had standard features like power assist front disc brakes, fold down rear seat, electronic ignition and side window defrosters. Pretty simple little 3-ddor hatch.

1980 Subaru Hatchback

Published on October 21, 2013 2:41 pm.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo : 1986

1986 Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo

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

Published on August 26, 2013 10:29 am.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Mazda Familia cutaway : 1980

1980 Mazda Familia

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

 

Published on August 10, 2013 10:01 am.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Citroen Visa Drapeau : 1982

1982 Citroen Visa Drapeau

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

Published on August 2, 2013 2:33 pm.
Filed under: 5-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,