We just love hatchbacks.
From 1976 to 1987, the Pontiac Acadian was a version of the Chevrolet Chevette sold by Canadian Pontiac-Buick dealers, initially identical to the Chevette except for badging but picking up the distinctly “Pontiac” design cues of the U.S. market Pontiac T1000 after that model’s 1981 introduction. (image source: John Lloyd)
1978 Pontiac Acadian.
1978 Pontiac Acadian
The Plymouth Arrow was an extension of the Mitsubishi Lancer/Dodge Colt known as the Mitsubishi Celeste in Japan. It was also known as the Dodge Arrow in Canada and as the Dodge Celeste in Puerto Rico. The Arrow was released in September 1975 as a 1976 model.
A 1.6 L I4 engine was standard with an optional 2.0 L I4. It was produced in various trim levels including the 160, GS and GT. The first year Arrow is easily identified from later years because its quarter-window louvers have two slats in the center, which were changed to three on all later years. The 1976 Arrow also came with a single windshield-wiper fluid nozzle on the hood, which was changed to dual nozzles for 1977 and remained that way for all later year Arrows.
1976 Plymouth Arrow.
In 1978, Isuzu commissioned Giorgetto Giugiaro to design a new sporty car to replace the 117 Coupe (also a Giugiaro design). They delivered several T Series Geminis to the Italdesign studio in Italy and allowed Giugiaro free rein over the design. The result of this effort was the wedge-shaped three-door hatchback called the Asso di Fiori (“Ace of Clubs”) prototype and show car, that was shown at the 1979 Tokyo Motor Show to rave reviews.
For the U.S. market, this vehicle was introduced as the Impulse in 1983. For the 1983 and 1984 model years, only one engine was available, the 2.0 L SOHC I4 engine, rated at 90 hp.
A turbocharged model was introduced in 1985, with a 2.0 L SOHC I4 engine rated at 140 hp.
The 1988 model year saw several changes. Mild exterior and interior changes were made to the appearance of the vehicle (a larger rear spoiler, fixed headlights without pop up covers, etc.). The 2.0 L non-turbo engine was replaced with a 2.3 L SOHC I4 engine, rated at 110 hp.
(This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It includes some content from this Wikipedia article.)
1986 Isuzu Impulse.
1986 Isuzu Impulse.
I don’t know much about the Duport 125/4 Diesel, but it’s just so cute, I had to add it. It’s probably extremely dangerous and not very reliable, but as soon as I get more info, I will add it here.
Duport 125/4 Diesel.
It’s hard to believe that in 1970, Road & Track Magazine named this car as “The best handling passenger car ever built in America”. (1971 model at bottom)
1970 Chevrolet Vega.
1970 Chevrolet Vega.
1971 Chevrolet Vega.
1971 Chevrolet Vega.
The Innocenti Minitre came in three flavors, the “S”, “SE” and the MinMatic “SEA”. The had a liquid cooled, transverse mounted four-cylinder or three-cylinder. The first two came with a standard 5-speed manual transmission, but the MinMatic was an automatic.
1984 Innocenti Minitre.
I continue to be mystified why there is a belief that Americans won’t buy hatchbacks. Maybe it’s true, but everyone I ask seems to like them as much as I do. That said, the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback will not be offered in the U.S. market. More info at Cartype.
2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback.
2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback.
This 1978 Mazda GLC Hatchback is quite a rare find. And one in this condition with just 7,391 miles is just unheard of. Or is it? While this is not a particularly collectible, special or even desirable car, it has a unique place (as every car has) in the history of cars. I think this is a cool little ride, and for those of you who love hatchbacks of every kind, as I do, you have just four days to bid on Joaquin Vargas’ car on eBay. get the whole scoop of this car on Cartype.
1978 Mazda GLC Hatchback.
1978 Mazda GLC Hatchback.
One of the most prolific road rallying cars of its time. This is really the best the 80’s had to offer. A friend of mine has one in red that is in mint condition and this one is second best.
These are hard to come by, and according to the eBay ad, the early version of the Turbo had the wild interior which covered everything inside, unique dash board with lots of instruments, usually aluminum doors, roof and rear hatch, difficult engine cover latches, no electric windows.
The late series cars had the updated dash, steel doors, and electric windows, as this car has. It is a late series R5 Turbo – from 1980 – steel doors and electric windows, plus the updated dash. The engine is mounted behind the rear seats.
1980 Renault R5 TL Turbo II Series 1
1980 Renault R5 TL Turbo II Series 1
1980 Renault R5 TL Turbo II Series 1
Check out this nice little clip on YouTube 2001 BMW M Coupe of one of the most unique, quick and beautiful (some would say ugly) hatchbacks ever produced. This thing has BMW’s S54 , engine, right out the E46 M3, which has a detuned 333ph punch. The following photos will give you a preview, and you get the whole scoop of this car on Cartype.
2001 BMW M-Coupe.
2001 BMW M-Coupe.
2001 BMW M-Coupe.
2001 BMW M-Coupe.
358,024 Volvo 345 5-door hatchbacks were produced up to 1991. More details at Cartype.
1979 Volvo 345 5-door hatchback.
What a fantastic little find this MG B-GT was. If you like hatchbacks, this has got to be on your list of favs. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.
1970 MG B-GT.
The 2010 Abarth Punto Evo hatchback is just simple fantastic. Fitted with the new 165 HP MultiAir 1.4 Turbo petrol engine, and it’s aggressive looks, it is just too bad that it is not coming to the USA. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.
2010 Abarth Punto Evo
Abarth logo.
The 1993 BMW Z13 concept was presented with a rear engine and three seats, and that is not the only odd feature of this hatchback. You have to wonder what BMW would be like today of their vehicles had gone in this direction. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.
1993 BMW Z13.
BMW logo with "The Ultimate Driving Machine" tagline.
The first series-produced front-wheel-drive Volvo was the 480 and by 1995, they had sold 76,375. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.
1985 Volvo 480 Hatchback.
Volvo logo.