These new 1976 cars will be forty this year

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Purchasing classics there

The new year is now a few days away. The fact provides us with a good opportunity to list a number of important new models from 1976. The jubilees will be in 2016 oldtimer in our country.

He actually comes from 1975, but in 1976 he experienced his press release: the W123. It is still the best-selling Mercedes in history. Image: Daimler AG
He actually comes from 1975, but in 1976 he experienced his press release: the W123. It is still the best-selling Mercedes in history. Image: Daimler AG

The production start of perhaps calling the most important car in the history of the premium segment officially dates from November 1975. We call this car anyway, because on 22 January 1976 underwent the Mercedes-Benz W123 however, his press release. To date, the Strich 8 successor is the best-selling Mercedes-Benz in history. It was available with four and six-cylinder petrol engines and with four and five-cylinder diesels. The sedan kicked off. The Limousine, the coupé and the still beautiful T-Modell followed a few years later. Initially, huge waiting lists were created. A few years later - in 1980 - he even became the best-selling car in the Federal Republic of Germany. In 1985 he was relieved by the Mercedes-Benz W124. Audi launched the second generation of the after the summer of 1976 100. He debuted with two four-cylinder variants. A year later the Audi 100 became the first car from Ingolstadt in which a five-cylinder engine was installed and the beautiful five-door Avant was launched. Just like the first generation, this "C2" generation was in great demand, because the number of copies produced was more than 900.000 in six years. Porsche launched the "Einstiegsmodell" the 924, the first creation of "Zuffenhausen" with a water-cooled engine in the front and the transaxle principle. Up to 1988, it was supplied in a variety of variants, and in the end the streamlined Porsche, whose body design was brought to the fore by Harm Lagaay, was produced more than 150.000 times.

Very popular Fords
Ford in response to the Fiat 127, the Renault 5, the VW Polo / Audi 50 and the Peugeot 104 Fiesta, a new front-wheel drive compact with reliable technology. It became a great success number with which Ford of Europe tapped into a new target group with buyers. Competitive pricing, wide range of equipment, dynamic driving characteristics, practical utility and a modern line with a low CW value helped to achieve success.

Ford introduced the Fiesta in 1976, which immediately turned into a success number. To this day, the Fiesta is important for Ford for many generations. Image: Ford
Ford introduced the Fiesta in 1976, which immediately turned into a success number. To this day, the Fiesta is important for Ford for many generations. Image: Ford

To this day, the Fiesta is an excellent selling model from Ford. Also the TC generation was renewed at Ford. The German Taunus and the English Cortina grew strongly towards each other and were mainly overhauled in terms of bodywork. Motor remained much at the old, but the new appearance attracted many customers.

PSA influence
Renault launched with the R14 a particularly designed car, which gained its place between the R12 and the R16. The R14 had a rather revolutionary pear-shaped line. The engine technology was developed in collaboration with PSA Peugeot Citroën developed. The five-door hatchback was built up to and including 1982 and was sold 999.250 times. PSA Peugeot Citroën showed another result of collaboration in 1976. It gave her the world LN, a kind of Peugeot 104 coupé with a modified powertrain from the 2-cylinder models of Citroën. The intention was to push the 2CV into the background, but the Deux-Chevaux eventually survived LN, for whom in fact no more than a step childish role was reserved.

Extravagance in 1976. The world was introduced to this beautiful Gamma from Lancia. She experienced her baptism of fire in Geneva. Image: FCA / Lancia
Extravagance in 1976. The world was introduced to this beautiful Gamma from Lancia. She experienced her baptism of fire in Geneva. Image: FCA / Lancia

Alfasud Sprint, Lancia Gamma, Rover SD1
Italy also raised a number of newcomers. The AlfaSouth got a sporty brother: the Sprint, designed by Giugiaro. spear caused a sensation by being extravagant at the Geneva Salon Gamma to present, a beautiful sedan which was available with a 4 cylinder 2.500 boxer engine. The "Berlina" was joined by an even more beautiful coupé brother. Britain gave the world a new one Rover. The SD 1 made like 3500 his debut and characterized by a five-door carriage with beautiful, smooth lines. He was named Car of the Year 1977 but unfortunately became the child of the bill. Strikes, totally wrong production planning, poor material use, poor workmanship and miserable technical quality did not do the reputation any good. Group sister Triumph came with a totally new, wedge-shaped TR7, which was equipped with a new 2-liter version of the engine of the Dolomite.

The third generation of the Caprice Classic was built for almost 15 years. Copyright: The GM Company
The third generation of the Caprice Classic was built for almost 15 years. Copyright: The GM Company

Important Japanese, long-lasting Americans and… ..
The Japanese Honda, that would later play a significant role in the production of the very last Triumphpassenger car, noted with the Accord Coupé a nice coupé with a modern power source and modern Mac Pherson suspension on both the front and rear. Mitsubishi In the meantime, it gained more and more foothold in Europe, and the breakthrough in the middle class was forced with the sharply drawn third generation of the Galant, also known as the Sigma. Finally, the United States brought a few new ones. The CJ-7 from Jeep proved to be an excellent development of the off-road theme and was ultimately produced for ten years. Also the Chevrolet Caprice the calendar year before, model year 1977 was born. This third generation conquered a prominent role within the traffic scene in his home country. This car was also a symbol of the 1970s American in Europe. The third generation also proved to be a particularly tenable, because it was only in 1991 that it got a successor. 1991 was also the last production year of the derivatives of an important Dutch novice from 1976: the Volvo 300 series, which made its debut as 343 and was produced over 1 million times. He finally established Volvo's name in the compact middle class.

 

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