We just love hatchbacks.
1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus had a 2.2 litre Lotus engine linked to a 5-speed gearbox. It had an output of 150 BHP and accelerated from 0-60 in 8 seconds, with a top speed of 150 MPH. It had room for four passengers and with the rear seats folded down, it had an amazing 42.7 cubic feet of luggage space.
1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus
While it doesn’t look it, you could fit a family of five, with luggage in the 1981 Fiat Panda and still get 35 MPG in the city and 56 MPG on the highway. Creature comforts included tinted windows, a rear windscreen wiper, reclining seats which folded down into a double bed, head restraints, and a six year anti corrosion warranty. All for £2,995.
1981 Fiat Panda
1981 Fiat Panda
The 1981 Mazda GLC was conceived, engineered and built to be nothing less than the new state of the art in front-wheel-drive technology. Among its refinements was a more powerful yet more economical 1.5 liter 4 cylinder engine. Advanced 4-wheel independent suspension and a redesigned rack-and-pinion steering system which was alot of fun to drive. The shift was quick and positive and had one of the shortest turning radius around. The interior was one of the roomiest in its class, with reclining front bucket seats, split fold-down rear seat backs, electric rear window defroster and remote control driver’s door mirror. It offered an impressive 43 MPG highway and 35 MPG city. The GLC Custom had an MSRP of just $5,295.
1981 Mazda GLC
The 1985 front-wheel drive Renault Encore’s unique pedestal seats offered an extra degree of style and rear legroom giving it an amazing perspective on hatchback design. The fold-down rear seats was designed to extend the cargo space convenience. The Encore’s 4-wheel independent suspension with twin coaxial rear torsion bars and power front disc/rear drum brakes results in impressive performance and handling. Choice of engines included the optional 1.7 liter, for increased performance. Electronic fuel injection produced fuel ratings of 40 MPG highway and 34 MPG city. It was built in America and had an MSRP of $5959.
1985 Renault Encore
Renault logo
The 1980 Ford Escort MK3 came with either a 1300 OHC or 1600 OHC engine, both with single variable venturi carburetor, automatic choke and electronic ignition. It had 5″ x 13″ styled road wheels with 155/80 SR13 tires and came with halogen headlamps, heated rear window, self checking silicone chip controlled warning light system for front brake pad wear, low washer fluid, oil, coolant and fuel levels.
The interior had reclining front seats trimmed in “York” fabric. Center face level vents with warm air control, side window demisters, perforated headliner, front passenger grab handle, two grab handles in the rear incorporating coat hooks, passenger vanity mirror on sun visor, dipping rear view mirror, cigar lighter, two rear ashtrays, full door/rear quarter trim, front door stowage bins, three speed heater fan, glovebox with lock and document stowage, soft feel two-tone instrument panel, coin box, center console, Ford P21 push-button radio, two-speed wipers with intermittent wipe, load compartment carpet, trip recorder, Quartz clock, special gear shift gaiter and knob, color keyed ribbed carpet, driver’s lower parcel shelf, tilting rear package tray and four spoke soft feel steering wheel.
1980 Ford Escort MK3
1980 Ford Escort MK3 interior
The 1977 Renault 30 TS was among the most luxurious prestigious saloons on the road and with its V6 it easily put most sports cars to shame. Acceleration from 0-60 was achieved in 9.2 seconds and it had a top speed of oner 112 mph. All this while getting 23-25 mpg. Front wheel drive and fully independent suspension gave it an uncannily smooth ride. Seating for five adults was helped by fully reclining front seats and 56″ of elbow room in the back. The rear seats could be folded back, giving you 34 cubic feet of space, more than any car in its class.
Standard fittings included a centralized door locking system, electric front windows and cigar lighter in back and front. An electric sunroof was an optional extra.
1977 Renault 30 TS
1977 Renault 30 TS
The 1978 Saab 99 GLE was a 118 BHP fuel injected, 2 liter 3-speed automatic transmission 5-door with superb suspension and steering with luxury for five on velour. It had tinted glass, electrically adjustable door mirrors, headlamp wash/wipe and self warming front seats with an optional sunroof.
1978 Saab 99 GLE
If you had £4,725, you could get yourself a 1978 Renault 20 TS. No other luxury car, at that price, had as many features fitted as standard. A few examples included Centralized locking. One press of a switch (or a turn of the door key) and all of the doors either locked or unlocked immediately. Adjustable headlamps. You could raise or lower your headlights to suit the load you were carrying from inside the car. Diagnostic plug. Your Renault dealer could now simply plug into it to find out electronically how efficient the engine was working and helped cut down on service fees. Reclining seats. The front seats (designed under medical supervision) adjusted to any driving position. Hatchback. The rear seats folds away and the parcel shelf is removable. Warning lights. At a glance you could now see if you left your hand brake on, your brake pressure was low or your front brakes pads were worn. It had comprehensive instrumentation, including a rev counter for the enthusiast. Power steering and electric front tinted windows are just a few more.
A 1995cc four cylinder engine, combined with front wheel drive, front and rear anti roll bars, all around independent suspension all contributed to a very smooth ride and the brakes operated by a dual circuit, servo-assisted system with ventilated discs at the front.
With a fuel consumption of 27mpg but capable of 0-60 in 12.2 seconds with a top speed of 104 mph.
Options included automatic transmission, electric sunroof and a radio.
1978 Renault 20 TS
1978 Lancia 1600 HPE (High Performance Estate) started at £5,438. It was an impressive sight with its distinctly eager 1600cc twin-cam engine with aluminum head and twin-choke carburetor with drove the front wheels. The top speed was 108 mph and had a 5-speed gearbox. The handling, helped by all-round independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes was superb.
The interior had a complete array of instruments including rev counter, oil level, oil temperature and oil pressure gauges, topped with a quartz clock. The accommodations was for five, with integral headrests on the front seats and wrap-round rear seats with tons of leg room, front and rear. You had a choice of luxurious hardwearing cloth or PVC. Although the rear seats looked continuous, they were in fact separate. You could fold both of them forward, or just one, to carry a long load and a third passenger. Open the rear hatch and you find 42 cu.ft. of luggage space.
1978 Lancia 1600 HPE
With the 1978 MGB GT Sports, you could reach a top speed of around 100 mph and cruise comfortably at over 90 mph, but with the fitted overdrive, it also meat the 1998cc engine got you 41.1 mpg.
This was a surprisingly spacious car, beautifully appointed with thick carpet everywhere, even in the luggage compartment and the contoured rake-adjusting front seats were covered in an attractive striped fabric.
The MG MGB GT had an impressive 9.6 cubic feet of flat, easily accessible loading space. This has been one of my favorite hatches for some time.
1978 MGB GT Sports
The 2012 Chevrolet Tru 140s concept, which was introduced at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, is a three-door hatchback designed to be an attractive-yet-affordable sports car. Based on the Cruze platform and the Chevy Volt, its purpose was to demonstrate technologies typically found in more expensive cars.
2012 Chevrolet Tru 140S concept
At the time, the 1983 Fiat Uno 55 Comfort represented something far more significant than the launch of a new car. Fiat claimed it was the creation of a totally new class of car. I think not. Its standard equipment included cloth-faced seats, and fitted radio, interior hatch release, quartz analogue clock, illuminated switches, 5-speed gearbox and optional sun-roof. It achieved an amazing 65.7 MPG (does any car today even come close?) and accelerated to 62 MPH in just 11.5 seconds. All, starting at £3,690.
1983 Fiat Uno 55 Comfort
1983 Austin Rover Metro Gala Special Edition was built to celebrate Britain’s best selling small car. Amenities included plush velour seats, radio/stereo cassette player, analogue clock and glass sunroof.
1983 Austin Metro Gala Special Edition
The 1986 Dodge Colt hatchback had an MSRP of $5431 and achieved 41 MPG on the highway and 36 MPG in the city. The Colt was imported for Dodge and Plymouth and was built by Mitsubishi in Japan.
1986 Dodge Colt hatchback
The 1979 Renault Le-Car, which dominated its class in racing in 1977 had front wheel drive, rack and pinion steering, four wheel independent suspension and Michelin steel-belted radials as standard. It achieved 41 MPG highway and 26 MPG city.
1979 Renault Le-Car