Autocade is an international car cyclopædia that’s geographically unbiased, carefully edited for enthusiasts and media who want a quick, accurate reference. There is a greater emphasis on models produced after 1970.
Inside Autocade
Honda 1300. 1969–73 (prod. 106,491). 4-door sedan, 2-door coupé. F/F, 1298 cm³ (I4 OHC). Narrow-bodied rival to Nissan Bluebird (510), with attractive coupé variant from 1970. Particularly impressive high-revving engine. Air-cooled engine and front-wheel drive, helping set the foundation for Honda in the 1970s, but with hindsight, it was more a learning exercise. Strong understeer from heavy engine, which led to Honda reducing the power, which did not help with the car’s weight. Standard equipment poor: the car lacked a heater. Twin headlamps on all models from late 1970. Never sold well, with negligible exports (1,058).
Manufacturing location: Japan
Marque: Honda | Successor: Honda 145
Toyota BB/Daihatsu Coo (QNC2/M400S). 2005–13 (prod. n/a). 5-door wagon. F/F, F/A, 1297, 1495 cm³ (I4 DOHC). Boxy wagon, originally launched 2005 as a Toyota, and 2006 as a Daihatsu, and made by Daihatsu. Officially bB. Badge-engineered as Subaru Dex, and exported as Daihatsu Materia. Can be thought of as a long-wheelbase wagon version of Daihatsu Boon (M300). Spacious inside, though not the most economical or refined; not even that cheap in some countries. Sold mostly on its distinctive looks.
Manufacturing location: Ikeda, Japan
Marque: Toyota | Model: Toyota BB | Predecessor: Toyota BB (NCP3) | Successor: Daihatsu Thor
Saturn Sky. 2007–10 (prod. 34,415). 2-door convertible. F/R, 1998, 2384 cm³ (I4 DOHC). Attractive small coupé on GM Kappa platform, related to Pontiac Solstice. Exported as Opel GT to some markets, and Daewoo G2X to Korea. Red Line model shown 2006, released later that year, with powerful 2·0 units, limited-slip differential, stability control, and sport suspension. Well priced when new, and good ride, but poor interior materials and questionable quality. A handful of 2010s left the factory before GM closed it.
Manufacturing location: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Marque: Saturn | Predecessor: Vauxhall VX220
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