Post by grumpynorthener on Feb 23, 2021 8:40:23 GMT
Hatchbacks - its a vehicle body style that's been around far longer than you may think and can trace its roots back into the 1930's - However the rise in the hatchback vehicle population gained pace throughout the 70's and properly hit its stride in the 80's with the option of the 'Hot Hatch' - so please go ahead and post up your hatch pics - Only hatches though please - none of those Johnny come lately SUV / MPV things and there's a separate 'Loadlugger' thread for estate cars or 'Longroofs' - Here's a few to kick off with
Citroen Traction Avant - Years ahead of its time
The box hatch defined - The Hillman Imp had a simple frame around the rear window that allowed easier load access to the rear seat
They came in all shapes & sizes
One of the early trendsetters for the transverse engine, front wheel drive hatch back market which is now commonplace - the Simca 1100 appeared in the late 60's
The hatchback style also found itself been factored into the sports coupe market which made for a more practical use of the vehicle style
A few years ago, I happened to pop into a mates garage, He was a bit of an eclectic collector, he had a set of 30s humbers, saloon, coupe and convert, all the same colour, a 20 roller coupe and a 29 Ford Model A Tudor, French in origin, with what looked like a factory lift up back window and a drop down tailgate,
So many cool Renaults - learned to drive in a 4, Mum had a 6 then a 5 (then the 4), my teacher had a lovely 16, Nana had a 6 which we went all round Europe camping in, had a 5GTT when they were buttons (cracking little car) - but on balance my fave is a plain Jane 2-door 5 in basic spec, just love 'em!
This very car was used to 'test' the jaws of life as a lifesaving tool for accidents. (In other news they needed the jaws to extract Tiger Woods from his SUV just this week.)