The Torque Talk - Episode 3 (the old buddies)

The old buddies 

By Mandla Lubanzi

Carl Benz's development of a gasoline-powered vehicle and subsequent fabrication of several identical replicas in 1886 marked the introduction of the first modern car- a useful, marketable vehicle for daily use- as well as the first automobile in series production. Lets look at some of the mid nineties buddies 

Austin Maxi

The Austin Maxi, mocked by many today, was a decent car with a 1.5-liter E-series engine that was let down by some initial quality issues and a mismatch between engine and gearbox. It also had a terrible cable-operated shift that was fixed in later models with more powerful motors. The Maxi was the first hatchback in the UK and had fold-down rear seats to make tones of luggage space, even enough to make a double bed, as Austin pointed out. 

The Hydraulic suspension, later Hydra gas, provided a plush ride, but during its 12-year existence, the Maxi never quite met its sales targets.

Dino 246

Although the Dino 246 frequently makes news, Ferrari's first road-going mid-engine vehicle was the 206. It was first badged as a Dino because it was Enzo Ferrari's late son's vehicle, but it eventually acquired the Prancing Horse tags because sales demonstrated that this low-end model wouldn't damage the company's standing. In 1969, the 206 was superseded by the 246 which proved to be a commercial success for Ferrari, with 2487 GT coupes and 1274 GTS open-tops sold.

With only 152 sales, the 206 is worth approximately £150,000 more than the £350,000 (roughly $400,000 in the US) that a 246 Dino will cost you today.

In any case, the aerodynamically smooth design of this car makes it a pleasure to drive and allows it to reach speeds of up to 140 mph. 

Peugeot 304

The transverse front engine architecture of the Peugeot 304, which was a first for the French automaker, was shared with the 204 since they shared the same platform. The 304's larger boot and improved appearance came from an extra six inches (152mm) in length, but the 1970-arrived Coupe and Cabriolet were the real eye-catchers. The independent rear suspension included in all 304 versions made for an extremely comfortable ride. 

In many rallies, the 304 handled nicely and performed admirably as well. Later in the 304's existence, an estate model was developed, and these straightforward yet tough vehicles are now available for as low as £2500 in good condition.

Triumph TR6

With its independent chassis and simple suspension system, the Triumph TR6 may have been a little too energetic, but it was among the first road cars to make fuel injection popular. It had some teething problems, too, and US-spec cars skipped this in favour of dual Stromberg carburetors, which resulted in less power than the 150 bhp Euro cars.

Triumph reduced the power of its home market TR6s to 124 horsepower starting in 1972, yet people who sought a tough, affordable six-cylinder sports car continued to choose them.

Karmann's handsome appearance and the option of a hardtop added to its practicality and helped it sell 94,619 units over its seven-year lifespan. Good TR6s, which are still in high demand today, start at £20,000 and US$20,000 domestically.

Volkswagen K70

The K70 is a significant model in Volkswagen’s history, marking the shift away from the Beetle’s rear-engine design. Initially developed by NSU, Volkswagen acquired NSU just as the K70 was set to launch and rebranded it as a Volkswagen. Although it wasn’t a major seller at the time, the K70 featured a 1.6- or 1.8-litre engine and independent suspension for a comfortable ride. 

Despite being otherwise unremarkable, it has gained a small but dedicated group of enthusiasts who appreciate its historical importance. Nevertheless, a decent K70 can still be purchased for around £3000 today.

The Galant 

The Galant was launched in December 1969, initially sold by Mitsubishi in Japan through a dealer named the Galant Shop. Its clean, sharp styling made it popular, offering options of two- and four-door saloons and a five-door estate. Initially powered by Mitsubishi’s 1.3- and 1.5-litre petrol engines, these were later upgraded to 1.4- and 1.6-litre versions. The Galant also marked Mitsubishi’s entry into the US market, where it was sold as the Dodge Colt through Chrysler’s dealer network. This move helped establish the Galant line, which continued until 2012.

See you on the next, Enkosi!