While almost anyone familiar with cars knows about the 1973 oil crisis, few know about the second crisis that struck in 1979, at the height of the malaise era. This time, however, automakers were more prepared, with smaller and more efficient models utilizing more technology. Overhead cams, fuel injection, and turbo chargers were becoming more common- even in small, affordable economy models. These advancements in technology would help bring a new type of car to the market: the hot hatch.
This challenge seeks to emulate the success of those early forerunners in the realm of economical and practical fun. While you can choose from sedans, coupes, and wagons along with hatchbacks, your goal is to build a vehicle that captures the spirit of the VW GTI, the BMW 3 series E21, the redesigned Fox-Body mustang for 1979, the Renault 5, and other classics from this era. While most cars were making low power numbers and offering a brain numbing driving experience, these models took their ho-hum economy car roots and become performance legends remembered and admired even some 40+ years later.
While true performance wouldn’t return until later in the 1980s, 1979 was a major step in the right direction.
RULES:
Year: 1979
Body type: sedan, coupe, wagon or hatchback
Chassis type: any
material: steel
Engine type: any
Must use hypereutectic pistons
2 valves per cylinder only
Standard Intake
Regular Unleaded fuel
Must have a cat. and at least 1 muffler
Engine position: front or rear
Drive type: any 2WD
Gearbox: manual only
Tyre compound: hard long-life or medium tyres
Tyre width: up to 175mm
Wheels: Steel rims up to 14"
Disc brakes only allowed on the front
Rear brakes must be drums
Car must have 5 full seats
Standard 70’s safety
Entertainment: anything but None
Fuel economy in Automation: 25mpg US or better
Max. price 15.000$
Judging criteria:
Styling, Fuel economy, Performance in BeamNG (Automation Handling Course, Hirochi Short Circuit, Industrial Site Curved Race Circuit)
Scoring:
For styling, each car will be given a score from 1-10
For fuel economy I will take the Automation numbers and the 10 best cars will get points. 10 points for 1st place, 9 for 2nd, …, 1 point for 10th place. 11th and lower get 0 points
For the races, the 10 best cars will get points. 10 points for 1st place, 9 for 2nd, …, 1 point for 10th place. 11th and lower get 0 points
Deadline: September 26th, 5pm CEST
Race 1: September 26th 6pm CEST
Race 2: October 2nd, 6pm CEST
Race 3: October 3rd, 6pm CEST