5 Iconic Modern Classic Cars

Audi Quattro 80-91the unique features attributed to the Dodge Charger
The Audi Quattro is a road and rally car produced bywas the early use of electroluminescent dash rev
the German auto manufacturing company and is partcounter, speedometer, alternator, temperature and fuel
of the Volkswagen Group. Audi released the Quattrogauges. This feature looked absolutely amazing as did
to European customers in late 1980. It was the first carthe unique front grill Dodge used on the Charger. It
to feature Audi's Quattro permanent four wheel drivewould open and close exposing the fully rotating
system. The Audi Quattro was also the firstheadlights.
production car to introduce a turbo charged engine toThe 1967-1972 Dodge Charger was the one that was
a four wheel drive system.used in the Dukes of Hazard, and again in the Blade
The Quattro was produced between 1980 and 1991movies a Charger features as the heroes' transport.
and during that time frame there were no majorThe glory of the Charger faded after 1970 because of
changes in the visual design of the car. If you're lookingrising car insurance and petrol prices across the United
to buy an older Quattro there are a few models thatStates. It is still sought after today and is an iconic
you may wish to consider. The WR a 2144cc Quattro,classic muscle car.
the MB a 2226cc 10-valve Quattro and the RRThankfully some classic cars do make come backs
Quattro which was the 20 valve edition.and in 2006 The Daimler Chrysler Motors Corporation
Not only did the Quattro dominate the World Rallyre launched the Dodge Charger. The new model has
scene but it was blisteringly fast. It had thebeen both well received and criticized at the same
performance of a Ferrari or Porsche 911 and the pricetime. It has kept true to its roots with stupendous
tag that many more avid car enthusiasts would beamounts of torque and as a muscle car it is up there
able to afford.with the Corvette, Camaro SS and the mighty Ford
The original Audi Quattro was not only a thoroughMustang, but perhaps it could do with just a little more
bred sports car, comparable to today's Subaru WRX,technology to make this modern day beast more
but also a very capable family car with plenty of rearforgiving to drive.
passenger space and a big boot area. As with theToday Dodge are more famous for their range of
Golf GTi 16V it would be prudent to view a potentialSport Utility Vehicles and Trucks like the Dodge Ram
car you are planning to buy with an expert by yourwhich they supply to the US domestic market and
side.even the British footballers rely on luxury vehicles like
The parts are quite expensive and you do not want tothe Chrysler 300C to arrive anywhere they go in true
purchase one that has been put through its paces atstyle.
every opportunity. Ask the owner when last thePeugeot 205 GTI 1984 - 86
cam-belt was changed and ask for the receipts. TestThe Peugeot 205 GTI is a small hatch that was well
the clutch and gearbox thoroughly when you take itbuilt. It was specifically trimmed for the sporty driver
for a test drive and as with the Golf Gti have a lookand was available with either a 1.6L or 1.9L petrol
underneath the vehicle to see if there is any damage,engine. It had front traction system and some say it
especially around the suspension mountings. If it hasdrove as well as vehicles with rear wheel drive. The
had an accident before then you're not likely to be1.9L had half leather seats and four wheel disc brakes.
making as good an investment and with a qualityIt is considered one of the best hot hatches of all time.
classic car of this one's heritage, one in great conditionThis car is regarded as a modern classic due to its
will become more valuable as the years go by.design and handling, reliability and affordability.
Ford Escort (Mk I/II) - 1968Land Rover Series I - 1948
The Ford Escort Mark I made its debut at the BrusselsThe Land Rover Series I was the British reply to the
Motor Show in 1968 and it replaced the long runningAmerican Army's go anywhere four wheel drive
Anglia. The Escort was a best seller in the UK in thevehicles. Based entirely on the Jeep chassis it was built
1960's. It had conventional rear wheel drive and a fouras an agricultural vehicle. It was introduced in the early
speed manual gearbox. For its time, it hadpostwar period and had fully enclosed front wheels
contemporary styling including a "dog bone" shapedand stark angular body lines. The first models had
front grille. The Mark I Escorts became veryinboard headlamps mounted behind a mesh grille guard.
successful as a rally car and ended up being one ofIt had rugged durability and superb all terrain capabilities
most successful rally cars of all time.for a vehicle of the day. There were a wide choice of
Dodge Chargersizes, types and specifications and it had a rust free
Starting out life in the form of the 1965 Dart producedbody.
with the "Charger 273" name, around 180 cars wereThe Land Rover Series 1 was fitted with a petrol 1600
only made at the factory. The Dodge Charger is oneRover engine which gave the vehicle a top speed
of America's most revered performance nameplates.was only about 60mph but it could go just about
It was an icon of the muscle car era and has recentlyanywhere. The engine capacity grew to 2 ¼
been reborn as an affordable performance sedan. Itliters before The Rover Company gave it a diesel
made its debut in the mid 1960's because of America'sengine in 1957 - 1958.
growing interest in cars with above averageThe Land Rover Series 1 very quickly became a very
performance.capable vehicle and soon production was expanding
The original Charger was a two door coupe withas a lucrative export market opened its arms to the
fastback styling. It had big V8 power and a 426 Hemi.Land Rover. Farmers could buy a variety of body
The 318 Charger was produced with a 3 speedtypes each designed to perform specific functions.
manual gearbox, and the bigger engines were suppliedThese alterations were made by companies under
with the choice of a 4 speed manual automaticlicense and soon Land Rover agreed to assemble the
gearbox. The Hemi is an engine still used to this day.now very versatile Series 1 in countries they were
The 1966 Dodge Charger was quickly replaced by theexporting too. Sales were very good and Land Rover
1967 model, with few changes. The 318 was far lighter;had exploited a gap in the market Jeep could only
the 361 was replaced by a two-barrel 383; and thehave dreamed of in a very short time. It was only in
440 Magnum was available with a mind blowing 375the late 60's that Rover decided to produce a vehicle
hp motor.aimed at the public as opposed to a pure work horses
The 1967 Dodge Charger was a truly beautiful pieceand that is when then Range Rover was born.
of machinery, but it seemed that American publicRemaining largely unchanged the Land Rover Series II
preferred the restyled 1968 Dodge Charger widelytook over from the Series 1 in 1958 and had to wait
attributed to the true success of the Charger. Amonguntil the 1970's when the Series III took over.