As many of you know, the A1 Golf remained on sale long after it was yanked from US shores for 1985, built in South Africa using the name CitiGolf and sold in some right-hand drive markets. This light blue charmer, caught by KiwiBryce, is one of the earlier CitiGolfs and looks to be used quite regularly. I can imagine its owners have a hard time finding anything nearly as satisfying to replace it; Lord knows I couldn’t substitute one with a Mk7.
The CitiGolf, which debuted in 1984, didn’t spend its twenty-five year tenure in South Africa without competition, mind you.
Toyota of South Africa built the E90 Corolla from 1996-2006 (that’s the we got from ’88-’92), and sold it under the name Tazz, using a 1.3 liter version of the twelve-valve E-block unit sold in 1.5 form in North American Tercels from 1987 until 1994.
And local manufacturer Samcor (partial remnant of Ford of South Africa, post-divestment) continued building the BF-series of the Mazda 323 (sold in the US from ’85-’89) until 1994, with an additional twin-cam two-liter engine option (from the 1987-1991 European and Japanese market 626). But these were never as popular as the pre-divestment European Fords, despite the factory-approved hot-rodding. This might have made for an intriguing US market offering, if it could’ve been made in Hermosillo, Mexico.
I’m getting off track, of course. Cars long gone from North American dealers are still sold new globally, and possibly the most famous example is that of the B13 Sentra aka Tsuru. Which of the cars listed above would keep you happiest as a modern day North American motorist? Actually, I’ll extend the question to our global readers: which discontinued car do you most want to see put back into production?
If, as a lover of domestic cruisers, you can’t easily answer that question: what older, discontinued US model would you like to see put back into production as a set cheap wheels?
And for those concerned about crash safety, which discontinued platform do you see as having the greatest potential to meet foreseeable standards with minimal changes?
Cheap wheels ? .
Gimme a VW A1 Rabbit / Golf please .
-Nate
Cheap wheels?
GM RWD B-bodies Caprice/Roadmaster/Fleetwood
Ford “Panther” Crown Victoria, more cheaper let’s go with the “Fox” Fairmont.
1st-gen Mitsubishi Eclips aka Eagle Talon/Plymouth Laser.
Panther and Fox
A rear drive, V8-6, American sedan
+3. Panthers all the way.
Can it be an engine? I’d like to see VW bring back the very reliable five cylinder as the base Jetta engine until a cheaper TSI is introduced and get rid of the two point slow for good.
I’d like to see VW bring back the very reliable five cylinder as the base Jetta engine
The 5 is still available on the Jetta wagon for 14. Most of the dealers around here still have one on the lot.
For cheap but solid transporation, I’m going to have to go with the 3rd-gen (1986 to 1989) Honda Accord. About the same size as a modern compact, comfortable, reliable, fun to drive, and good-looking. Ditch the carbureted base engine and give them all the fuel-injected version found in LXi/SEi trims. Make mine an SEi please.
I take a Geo Tracker, inexpensive, small and fuel efficient 4X4.
Yes especially the ultra rare non-convertible 2 door, 5 speed manual, locking hubs, 4×4.
Cheap and bulletproof? Bring back a straight six with a three on the tree F-150. Reg cab, with a 8 foot bed you don’t need a stepladder to reach over the side of.
3-on-the-tree? Not if you want to go faster than 55. Better put in at least a 4-speed plus overdrive. Yes to everything else, though.
1994-1995 Plymouth Voyager, 1995 Buick Century sedan/wagon, 1994-2001 Dodge Ram, and the 92-96 Camry sedan/wagon. I think the Chevy Express should stay in production.
I agree with bringing back the 92-96 Camry. My 92 Camry with the 4 cylinder still feels tight and precise and the little motor has plenty of power. It just feels good driving these cars. They were so well built.
Panther, please.
I think this would have actually been a good use of the discarded Mercury name. The base Mercury Crown Victoria for police use, the slightly upscale Mercury Grand Marquis for taxi service, and the top line Mercury Town Car for livery use. And all would also be available for civilian purchase through your friendly local Ford dealer on special order, of course.
Saab c900, safety standards and all. ref top gear dropping it upside down from a crane
The 88-91 Fourth generation Civics could have easily continued on as a viable product well past their sell by date. I’d guess they weren’t exactly cheap to produce. That said, the current Fit really is the modern day equivalent, if not even superior relative to the current competition. It’s economical, affordable, sprightly and agile, as well as being huge inside. It’s not hard to see why Japan chose to leave the Civic behind completely several years ago.
+1
1) 1st gen Taurus SHO. That was a sweet ride.
2) Merkur XR4-Ti with a 225 hp 5.0 (or else balance shafts for the 2.3 Turbo).
3) 1963 Buick Wildcat
I’d love a Saab 9000 please.
+1
I’d like to see what the rwd Cutlass would have become, maybe powered by a 3800 as a base engine. The 307 didn’t get any improvements in the Caprice Classics, Olds did make up a TBI intake for it but never put it into production. There’s a guy on the Olds forum that has one
Here’s a picture of the Olds tbi intake.
That intake looks like it would fit my ’64 Cutlass’ 330 motor!
I wasn’t aware any of the Olds V8 family required removal of the distributor to remove/install the intake manifold. At least on my ’87 307 I did not have to.
Citroen DS. Nothing else like it.
The gen1 xB, not surprisingly.
This is a really good, and rare example of Toyota misreading the market with their follow up. Kia took the original formula and ran with it in the Soul, and now they sell well over 100k of them each year. After my suggestion, my parents bought one of the first Souls for my younger sister, to her initial horror. She was a convert once all her girlfriends told her how cute it was, and her bro friends didn’t mind riding in the back because of how roomy it was. It quickly earned the nickname “the Toaster”.
+1
I test drove the 1st-gen xB & was very impressed, much more fun than the Corolla, which drove like a Buick by comparison. Hard to believe the same company made both. However, we needed more cargo space at the time & got a Sienna instead.
Ford Maverick Coupe and Sedans.
’63-’64 Riviera
1981 Scirocco S 5-speed just add a modern compressor for the factory A/C.
Like this one? My 1981 VW Scirocco S
Isn’t that what they called the Corrado?
Nope…That’s a 1981 Scirocco S in Cirrus Blue metallic….the last of the Mk1 Scirocco’s
Yours is just about perfect bufguy except I have a very slight preference for the stock wheels. My ’78 was a 4-speed and did not have the rear wiper. I love how they “parked” it like that and made it a styling element. Like Mercedes did with the headlight wipers on the W124.
I think Wolfgang was making fun of my compressor comment. The Corrado in the states was supercharged until the VR6 came along. The SC ruined the car because supercharged 4-cylinders are disgusting. My neighbor has a C230 Kompressor that I have to listen to every morning. It sounds like an Electro-sucks.
BMW knows this and stuck to Turbos.
I did not express myself clearly.
I meant to say that VW pretty much fulfilled the wishes for a blown engine in a Scirocco by offering the Corrado with G-compressor.
Volvo 240
Add some airbags and you are done.
+1
I feel the same about the late 940.
W124 Mercedes. I’m with Paul that this is the best car in the last 30 years. It’s amazing how well the design and driving dynamics have held up and it comes from an era when a three pointed star on the hood still meant something.
Citroen CX (as long as it could have a modern engine). The CX rides like Broughams wanted to but couldn’t; if only Citroen had a proper engine to power it.
For cheap wheels, I’d say the ZJ-Series Jeep Grand Cherokee. It would make a great daily driver for the winter months.
I’d also have to say the Mercedes R129 SL-Series. It was one of those cars I dreamed about owning as a kid, and think the look is timeless.
Wow there are TONS of good platforms Id like to see come back.
–XJ Cherokee. Why did they ever stop making these? The tooling costs were LONG paid for, and they were selling strong right til the last day. These offered a higher bang for the buck value than any other SUV out there…and nothing else fits the need for a lightweight, simple, inexpensive vehicle that has true all around capabilities on road and off. Crossovers make good family cars but for offroad, towing and more truckish duties they do NOT have it where it counts, so to speak.
–Jeep CJ, YJ or TJ. The JK series Wrangler is oriented more towards the 4-door. The 2-door, which is the ‘real’ Jeep seems an afterthought. Yes, it accounts for less in sales but its the real deal and people still want them. Any Jeep with the basic CJ-7 footprint is a different animal than the 2-door JK. Ideally, just revive the TJ body/frame but without all the interior poshness of the JK and still share the 4.0 and the Rubicon’s driveline with the XJ. Discontinue the 2-door JK, and develop a pickup on the 4-door JK chassis.
–Air cooled VW Beetle. Again, proven tech that would allow a brand new car for peanuts. Some mechanical upgrades to modernize the basic platform would sell faster than you could build them.
–K platform. I may be alone here, but I think the Chrysler K platform would still be viable. The P body Shadow/Sundance seems the best place to start out in 2 and 4 door forms. Even in the 80s it was dirt cheap, stylish, drove great and made a good platform for higher performance versions.
–1st Gen Neon. If not the P bodies, then the original Neon in coupe and sedan formats had a lot going for them. Although lets face it…I still want to see the 2.4 world engine turbocharged (a la the Caliber SRT-4) dropped into the coupe. 280 hp driving a featherweight coupe….YES PLEASE!!!
Most likey those platforms wouldn’t pass crash safety standards of today.And people wouldn’t but a 1 or 2 star new car.
The XJ I briefly owned was the coolest car I’ve ever had. I’d love another one, and it’s on my short list for next year. I’d love to see that thing in permanent production.
Ah, a fun question. I will say:
1984 to 1987 rear-drive Toyota Corolla SR-5 (The US version of the AE86.)
Pre-2006 Honda Civics. Take your pick of exactly which one; they were all (in my humble opinion) better than the new-for-2006 bloatmobile Civic.
AND…
Chevrolet should never have stopped selling the Prizm. Bring Back Betsy!
A2 Jetta, which actually was still built in China until very recently. I got a window regulator assembly for $8.00, Taillamp for $10.00. Wheel cylinders for $4.00 each. The parts are made in China, but they work and are easy to obtain. Good thing too, as the cars are getting harder to find at U-Pick yards. I actually liked my A1 Jetta better, they can start to build these new and I’ll take one..
GM A-body wagon but only the very rare 3800V6 model. Love me some heavy torque with no traction control.
1989 Chevrolet Caprice 4dr and yes please a 2dr. These cars handled well good on gas V-8 power comfortable on a long trip. Very reliable. It is hard to get a new car without a big console that takes up too much leg room.
Foxbody Mustang.
Straight-Six Ford pickup, please.
I have three: 1995-97 Lincoln Town Car, 1990-93 Volvo 240 and 1991-96 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon–with woodgrain on the sides of the Buick, of course.
1988+ Lincoln Mark VII.
The jellybean Caprice Classic, with an NA 3800 and T-5 as the standard powertrain. Optional should be varying flavors of the truck versions of LS motors, with 4L65E optional on the transmission front. Make several axle ratios low-cost options, and make the former F41 suspension standard. Add auxiliary coolers for oil and transmission and make sure brakes are sufficient for at least 5,000 lbs of trailer. Make interior options in one color of vinyl, maybe 3 of leather, and 8 of velour. Make 15″ steelies standard and the pretty lacy 15″ alloys optional. AC with front and rear vents should be standard, as should ABS, but most other wonderful toys need to stay out. Add a full compliment of gauges and a large digital speedo at the top for easy reading without looking down. Make in sedan, wagon, and ute variants. I know exactly what you’d be seeing with light bars on about 3 weeks later, and criss-crossing much of the middle east 3 weeks after that.
The two vehicles in my driveway – 2nd gen Dodge Dakota and the SG series (03-08) Subaru Forester.
Honorable mention goes to any 3800-powered GM W-body from ’97 to the end of production.
In no order:
-First those which could never pass modern safety standards:
-Mazda Familia, any generation from 1981-1998
-Subaru Legacy, 1989-1994
-Nissan Sentra, 1991-1999
-Civic: 88-91 and 96-2000
-Integra: 86-89 and 94-2001
-Corolla/Prizm, incl Levin and Trueno: 88-92
-Cherokee XJ
-VW Golf Mk2
-Infiniti G20/Nissan Primera
-BMW E30 (with base gas engines and low-spec modern DI turbo diesel)
-Mercedes W123 (with base gas engines and low-spec modern DI turbo diesel)
-Audi B2 80/90/4000
-Those with a reasonable chance of passing modern safety standards with minor reinforcements:
-Mazda Familia: 99-03
-Volvo 850: 91-97
-Volvo 940: 91-98
-Saab 9000
-Subaru Legacy 99-04 & 05-09
-BMW E36 (with base gas engines and low-spec modern DI turbo diesel)
-Merc W201, W124(with base gas engines and low-spec modern DI turbodiesel)
…more I’ve not mentioned
“Those with a reasonable chance of passing modern safety standards with minor reinforcements”
False. The amount of rework/coin required would be too high. Maybe and that’s a big one, the 850, Saab or W124 could be done.
Saab 900 Perry. You disappoint.
How about a Saab 99 with a 900 interior?
Yr prob right, esp about the Volvo 940 and Saab 9000.
Of the ones you mentioned in the post i miss the Mazda 323 the most. I had an ’86 and loved it.
Also:
Peugeot 304
Audi 100LS, 1st generation.
NSU TTS for a toy.
I wish there were still Peugeot 504s being built somewhere in Africa and Volkswagen Beetles in Mexico. Knowing that both of them were still around always made me happy.
I think there are probably very few cars that could survive like this in Europe or the U.S. because of constantly changing safety regulations. Even the Land Rover Defender is finally about to expire. The 34-year old Mercedes-Benz G-wagen doesn’t appear to be going anywhere, but they’ve been much more on top of keeping it updated – and they can get away with it because there’s a huge profit built into each one. Anything that was going to stay in production forever would probably have to fit that mold. Low volume, high price and high profit.
And I’m really drawing a blank on what I’d like it to be. I want to say Tatra T613 so bad but I know that’s just absurd… Mercedes-Benz 600 went out of production too long ago… wouldn’t mind a more classic looking Jaguar XJ like the previous generation, but I do love the new one too… I got nothing!
Loving the CITIGOLF, and I actually didn’t know the A1 lasted that long. The South African twin-cam 323 looks awesome, too. South Africa got a whole bunch of bizarre factory hotrods. The one I always think of is the BMW E23 with the M1 engine, but there are some others that escape me at the moment as well.
Ah, since a few other people have already mentioned it, I’ll add “XJ Cherokee”. Especially if they had re-introduced a pickup body (and imagine an extended crew cab??) and undercut everyone else on the price by a mile. Getting it up to modern safety standards would have been tough – remember the “gen 2” was really just a styling update of the 1984 original – but that’s really all they would have had to do. The inline six may not have been able to meet current emissions, but the thought of an XJ with a powerful, modern 4-cylinder is very appealing too.
the right answer is always Panther.
Someone had to say that.
My SIL had a mid 80’s CV for a while. She is a damn good driver too! I never was at the wheel of one, but I was impressed as a passenger. It was quiet, smooth and powerful, and in spite of its size and heft it was almost nimble.
Ford Falcon. The current model has taken care of the excessive inward lean of the roof pillars that was the only thing I didnt like about the previous model, you can get the 4.0 I6 with a ZF 6sp auto or the liquid-phase lpg injection as well as the Ecoboost four. The diesel V6 could go in if they actually sold in any quantity.
It’s such a massive bummer that the RWD Aussie Fords and Holdens will be a thing of the past in a few years. I always wished that Ford had standardized one platform between Mustang and Falcon (like in the good ol’ days) and found a way to bring the Falcon to the U.S.
The original intention was to have done a new Falcon and have that platform be the basis of the Panther replacement and potentially the Mustang. However axing that proposal and giving Ford AU a death warrant, as a result, was one of the first things Mulally did.
I’m probably going to get grief for this one, but I’ll add the first generation Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe.
Excellent fuel economy, reliable, not bad to drive (although not exciting, either). The cargo area is nearly indestructible, and with the seats folded I once carried home two, eight-foot wide garages doors in their boxes…and managed to close the hatch!
+1. Oh how I wish Toyota would make a suitable replacement (the Auris) available here in the US.
Oh no grief here. I had a Pontiac Matrix as a rental one time, and I really liked it. It was that rare occasion when a “free upgrade” was actually a much better car. It drove reasonably well and I was able to fit a bicycle in the back without much trouble; just had to wrap an old blanket around it to avoid staining the carpet.
That’s what I am driving right now, since end of April. What, my newest ride is 9 years old?
I wish the seating position were better ergonomically and the ride a little softer. Other than that, don’t change a thing!
A modern version of the Valiant. 225 slant six tuned for today.
Others of course with the all the safety features and other features
1. 71-73 Boattail Riviera
2. 81-83 Imperial
3. 80-96 Fleetwood (I would be satisfied with either generation)
4. 2nd generation F Body.
5. 68 Vette
6. 69 Grand Prix
7. 66-67 Lincoln Continental Convertible
8. An El Camino
The 1992 box Cadillac Brougham. Failing that, the somewhat decontented and not as well proportioned 1993-96 Fleetwood.
Preferably with a Cadillac engine, but to be honest, if I had the option to buy these new, today, I’d settle for a lot, just to have a new big boat Cadillac.
BMW E36 (3 SERIES) with the 1.8 litre – to this day its still my favourite 3-series generation, not bloated like the subsequent generation or styled like a mini 7-series like the generation after. Just a great small car, styled beautifully and built exceptionally well.
Panthers! and the 77-90 Fleetwood Brougham…..and the 55 Chevy. I’ve always been surprised GM hasn’t retroed the 55 two door post, considering the size, bumper style, and pillar design could be workable now, more than the high two door post Challenger…
Restyle the Panther, Lincoln is going to die soon without the Towncar. The ad agency that handles Lincolns Twitter account gets really mad when you bring that fact up. Dodge Ram Van. Chrysler has to be peeved about how popular they are currently in Japan. Mullet era Camaro and Firebird. I was one of those who were glad when the fourth generation finally came out but realized the styling was dated after only two years. The generations before it lasted ten years each with minor changes and always seemed pretty fresh. Sorry, the mullet era F bodies is the one I personally miss.
I’ve always liked the Volvo 140/240 series cars. I’d love to see those cars offered here in the USA, this time with the option of a Mercedes-Benz sourced diesel engine, rather than the VW diesel.
I’d like to see the 1971-74 Toyota Crown sold in the USA.
I also love the 1969-71 Toyota Corona Mark II.
I also like the first gen Toyota Celica, from 1974-76.
BMW 2002
IH pickups would probably actually be my first priority. Any year/model. I love the old binders.
They actually did a few drawings back in the late 90’s/early 00’s but of course it never went anywhere. It looked a lot like the 04 F150.
I’d second the Panther and the 80-90s Fleetwoods. I would love it if they still made these old RWD V8 landyachts, at least as fleet cars and for the rest of us if we asked pretty please!
Secondly, I wish Buick made the Lucerne up to the same standards as the previous LeSabres and Park Avenues and that they still made them instead of the present Lacrosse. Personally, I always thought the Lucerne was a slick looking ride inside and outside but that’s probably because I like bigger old school sedans. With the column shifter and the split bench that some models had, you have a nice cruising set up. Its just too bad their quality wasn’t up to the same bulletproof reputation as the previous models.
Continuing with Buick, as the years have gone by, I’ve grown to appreciate the later LeSabres and Park Avenues. I used to (probably with about everyone else) just think of them as geezer-mobiles but looking at that LeSabre in the original post-that’s also a pretty slick looking vehicle. I’d gladly drive one today, especially if it was tricked out with sunroof and leather and it was black or red. Its unfortunate so many ended up in extremely boring shades of silver or gold.
Lastly, as to an econobox, I wish you could still pick up a Geo Metro or the old school VW Rabbit. My dad had a hatchback Geo Metro coupe and while it certainly was bare bones, it got great gas mileage while still being big enough to haul more than one other person or a bag of groceries. It wasn’t cool to cruise around in and its get up and go performance was not impressive at all, but as a economy uber alles Point A to Point B machine, you couldn’t beat it.
You’re the first I’ve heard say that a last-gen LeSabre is more reliable than a Lucerne. LeSabre was full of “typical GM” quality, that horrible 2002ish timeframe. Lucerne was an improvement, and probably the forerunner of Buick regaining their quality awards.
Maybe my local observations are skewed from the national, I just see lots of LeSabres and Park Avenues around here with lots of miles on them and don’t hear a lot of bad things about reliability. On the other hand, I’ve heard more complaints about the Lucerne, though its certainly not a lemon by and large.
That’s quite extreme, on one hand the Park Avenue and on the other a Geo Metro.
In the dwarf car segment I would be looking for a Ford Festiva/ Mazda 121.
Rambler American (round style)
Corvair Corsa
Hemi Charger