We just love hatchbacks.
The 1978 Toyota Corolla SR-5 Liftback made driving fun again with its standard 5-speed overdrive transmission mated to a 1.6 liter engine. It also had MacPherson strut front suspension, power assisted front disc brakes and steel belted radial-ply tires.
1978 Toyota Corolla SR-5 Liftback
1986 Honda Accord AeroDeck was sold as a three-door hatchback with a flat roof over the rear seats. It was offered only in Japan and Europe where it was known as a shooting-brake. The tailgate is a “gulling” door, which makes loading easier. Retractable headlights further reduce drag giving the Aerodeck an impressive 0.34 Drag Coefficient. It was available in two models, the EXi, which had a 1955 cc engine developing 122PS and the EX at 106PS. The EX had an MSRP of £9.7900 and the EXi at £9,950. You can even take a peek at the AeroDeck TV spot from Japan. (images: Tamerlane’s)
1986 Honda Accord AeroDeck
1986 Honda Accord AeroDeck
1986 Honda_Aerodeck logo
$5,399 got you into the 1985 Honda Civic, complete with front-wheel drive, rack and pinion steering, full carpeting, door glass defrosters, steel-belted radial tires, overtaking headlight flasher, power assisted self-adjusting front disc brakes, trip odometer, torsion bar front suspension, trailing link rear suspension with nitrogen gas filled shock absorbers, front air dam, remote-control outside mirror, a coin box, day/night rearview mirror, reclining front bucket seats with adjustable headrests and opening rear quarter windows, all pushed by a a 1342cc engine.
1985 Honda Civic
The 1988 front-wheel drive Dodge Omni (introduced in 1978) is almost a poster child car for the 1980s, complete with velour seats and steel wheels. It was similar to the Plymouth Horizon and was one of the cars that brought Chrysler back to profitability. Its 2.2 liter four cylinder engine developed 94 HP. (image source: Donoho Auto)
1988 Dodge Omni
1988 Dodge Omni
1988 Dodge Omni interior
1988 Dodge Omni interior
Nissan has revealed the first details of a head-turning hatchback concept, the Invitation, at this the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show which previews the company’s next generation compact car, a mainstream B-segment contender. It is due to be launched in Europe from 2013.
2012 Nissan Invitation concept
1987 Volkswagen Scirocco’s 16-valve dual overhead camshaft engine developed 123 hp and reached 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. It had independent torsion beam suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, 4-wheel disc brakes and a 5-speed close ratio transmission.
1987 Volkswagen Scirocco
The aerodynamic styling and spirited performance of the Celica GT Liftback quickly secured the title “Import Car of the Year for 1976 and again in 1978.
The 1980 Toyota Celica USGP (which stands for United States Grand Prix) was a one-year only model produced to commemorate Toyota’s association with Grand Prix racing in the United States. Toyota had been actively involved in Grand Prix racing as the Official Pace Car of the Long Beach Grand Prix from 1975, and the Toyota Grand Prix of the United States at Watkins Glen since 1977. It came in Red, White (shown below) or Blue. It is believed that only 200 were produced of each color and it weighed just 2530 pounds.
This $750.00 option was offered only in 1980 and included the following:
Exterior:
• A special honeycomb grill
• Flat Black B pillars
• Special “Grand Prix” two-color side stripes
• Mud guards
• Aluminum alloy wheels and 185/70 HR14 steel-belted radial ply tires raised white letters
Interior:
• Ivory vinyl seats with black piping
• Ivory colored headliner and door panels
• Black leather wrapped steering wheel
• A high performance sound system, which featured electronic AM/FM tuner, cassette deck, equalizer/amplifier and four speakers
• A USGP dash plaque.
The 90hp, 2.2 liter 4-cylinder SOHC engine delivered smooth yet powerful acceleration. 5-speed overdrive transmission reduced engine wear.
The interior included complete instrumentation, including tachometer, which let you monitor the engines’ performance. MacPerson strut front suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars provided a fairly precise and comfortable ride. A power assisted front disc/rear drum brakes brought it to s smooth stop.
For personal luxury, an illuminated entry system greets you when you turn the door lock key and the driver’s seat adjusts six different ways and even included adjustable lumbar support.
1980 Toyota Celica USGP
1980 Toyota Celica USGP high performance sound system.
1980 Toyota Celica USGP
Red 1980 Toyota Celica USGP
Red 1980 Toyota Celica USGP
Red 1980 Toyota Celica USGP
Red 1980 Toyota Celica USGP interior
1980 Toyota Celica USGP high performance sound system.
The 2012 Volkswagen Up! four-door is the second body version of the up! and launches in March of 2012. It only has a 75hp three-cylinder petrol engine.
2012 Volkswagen Up! Four-Door
2012 Volkswagen Up! Four-Door.
This right-hand drive. 6-cylinder 1978 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6A is a rare beast indeed. Probably the only one in the USA, and certainly the only one in this condition, which was subject to a body-off restoration to concours standards in the early 2000s, and is fully documented. This one was for sale by Sovereign Auto in Flushing, Michigan. The Middlebridge Enthusiast site is dedicated to the little known Middlebridge Scimitar. (content source: Sovereign Auto)
1978 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6A
1978 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6A
1978 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6A
1978 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6A
1982 saw the introduction of the new and improved Honda Accord, which was roomier inside and longer outside. It rode smoother and handled better. With the 5-speed, a gallon of gas got you 30 miles in the city or 41 on the highway. It still had its proven front-wheel drive and transverse-mounted engine.
1982 Honda Accord
The 2013 Audi A3 3-door hatchback was introduced to the world on March 5th, 2012 and this third generation premiered at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Versions with hybrid and alternative drive systems such as natural gas and Audi e-gas are currently in development. A version with an exceptionally efficient 1.6 TDI engine will launch on the market in 2012 with its completely redesigned interior.
2013 Audi A3
2013 Audi A3
The 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit L was a step up from the base model, including its cloth interior. The Rabbit is one of the most important vehicles ever produced and was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, of the ItalDesign design studio. The first Golf (VW internal designation Typ 17) began production in 1974, and was marketed in the UnitedStates and Canada from 1975 to 1984. Many generations later and it continues to be one of our favorites. (image source: Karmann Ghias)
1981 Volkswagen Rabbit L
1981 Volkswagen Rabbit L
