Best of Compact Class - 1966
Bogliq Exordium 514F
Oft neglected and overlooked, compact cars are nonetheless an important class of cars, particularly for those who live in more densely packed areas, or those on a budget who cannot afford a properly sized family car. While tight on space, they can offer good value. None offered that value this year better than the Bogliq Exordium 514F.
Under the hood of the usually-blue car is a small 85 cubic inch four-cylinder motor, mated to an unusual feature for a small car: a 3-speed automatic. The Exordium’s wishbone-and-coil setup is also somewhat unusual for the class, though it doesn’t offer modern unibody construction. It is all shrouded in an attractive semi-fastback design with a full-size liftgate. Road manners are phenomenal. The Exordium is nimble, small enough to park anywhere, and surprisingly good at soaking up imperfections in the road surface. Noise intrusion from the engine is also minimal.
Interior design is spartan, even by class standards. The front split-bench seat is narrow, and the shifter for the transmission is mounted on the floor instead of the steering column. This allows only allows two to sit across the front. Real estate for three children is available in the second row. Seating surfaces are supportive, though hard. Bogliq opted for a handsome houndstooth pattern on its vinyl upholstery. No radio is available; this is par for the course for the notoriously inexpensive marque.
Where the Bogliq’s shine is particularly evident is in its cost to own. Outright purchase cost is the among the lowest in class, and its inexpensive and plentiful maintenance parts, combined with good fuel economy, make it a thrifty proposition to own for many years.
Katsuro A-1
“…very comfortable model that can be had for a surprisingly low price. Early projections show it to be a reliable choice as well…”
Pros: Low purchase price, lowest in class maintenance cost, excellent reliability
Cons: Poor drivability, unrefined engine
Anhultz Puck I C
“…very reliable. Its fantastic fuel mileage is also a huge bonus, which makes up somewhat for the unruly driving dynamics…”
Pros: Good fuel economy, good reliability, low maintenance cost
Cons: Poor practicality
Courageaux 3
Car equipped with radial tires. Designer accepted the associated penalties.
“…a very inexpensive option well-suited to an unmarried owner, or perhaps newlyweds. Space is definitely at a premium, and comfort is somewhat lacking…”
Pros: Lowest in class purchase price, low maintenance cost, good drivability
Cons: Worst in class practicality, poor comfort
Earle Eagle Special Sedan
“…splendid comfort for its occupants, with clever use of cargo pockets throughout the interior and a well-packaged trunk. It is somewhat of a premium car, costing more to buy and own than some Intermediates…”
Pros: Excellent comfort, excellent practicality, great drivability
Cons: Highest in class purchase price, high maintenance cost, poor fuel economy
Dominion Victory 220 Auto (TIE)
“…a very well balanced package overall. We liked the confidence the Victory projected on the road. Our one gripe is how costly this model is after driving off the lot…”
Pros: Good practicality, good drivability, good comfort
Cons: Worst in class fuel economy, highest in class maintenance cost
Charge Dynasty Exemplar (TIE)
“…rather miserly on gas. We also liked the supportive, but not overly hard, seating surfaces. Its road manners were less than stellar, however, and we have long-term concerns…”
Pros: Good fuel economy, good comfort, low maintenance cost
Cons: Poor drivability, poor reliability, somewhat high purchase price
Hampton Ferret 1.8
Car equipped with radial tires. Designer accepted the associated penalties.
“…is certainly a car that will either be hated or loved. There is so much to like, and just as many reasons not to…”
Pros: Best in class comfort, great drivability, good practicality, good fuel economy
Cons: High purchase price, high maintenance cost, worst in class reliability
Deer and Hunt Goonie Bambi
“…rather tight trunk with a high liftover made cargo loading a chore. Our test unit also had a problem with its driveshaft, forcing us to exchange it for another. It is a very comfortable model, however…”
Pros: Good comfort, relatively low purchase and maintenance cost
Cons: Poor fuel economy, poor reliability, poor practicality
Ardent Sentinel L
“…Ardent’s unrefined but powerful 220 cubic inch V6 resides under the hood. This makes the small car very squirrely, but offers something that other competitors have a difficult time doing, particularly at this price point…”
Pros: Good practicality, relatively low maintenance cost
Cons: Worst in class comfort, worst in class drivability, somewhat high purchase price
Rocha Toledo 421
“…we give them high marks for reliability, which has improved vastly. Still, the value for what you receve is just not that great…”
Pros: Good reliability
Cons: High purchase cost, poor practicality, otherwise extremely mediocre
Best of Intermediate Class - 1966
Bogliq Sachem 129F
Unlike the Compacts, where Bogliq took a commanding lead and left only the scraps for competitors, the Intermediate class was a knock-down, drag-out dogfight. Bogliq’s offering came out on top again, but only just barely this time. In fact, our top four are all very solid, viable choices in our opinions.
Powerplant choice in our test Sachem was a typical 176 cubic inch six-cylinder in a slightly less-common V-shaped package. Similarly to the Exordium, Bogliq chose to put a 3-speed automatic behind this motor, which again leads to a transmission tunnel-mounted shifter, and an unusually narrow front seat. The rear seat holds three, but is large enough to accommodate adults.
Suspension choice is Bogliq’s wishbone-and-spring combo, which is tuned to give a soft, controlled ride. Steering has hydraulic power assistance, making the big sedan a dream to drive, even for staffers’ wives who took the Sachem out for errands. Starts from a dead stop are slow, so the 129F is not the Sachem you would choose if you plan to drag race from a light, or on mountain passes for that matter. However, the 129F is your choice if you want to keep engine noise at a minimum, especially at highway speeds. One staff member commented that the only way he knew the Sachem was on at a stop light was the vibration of the engine through the pedals.
Bogliq has chosen to eschew performance in exchange for a pleasurable driving experience, and that transfers to the passenger compartment as well. High quality pleated, overstuffed vinyl seating awaits, along with full-width carpeting, a high-fidelity AM radio, and thoughful details such as a lighted glovebox, overhead assist handles, and an in-dash clock.
It is in the small details that we think we can give the Bogliq Sachem 129F our blessing over the other close competitors.
Charge Wesson 315
“…the most decadent interior of all the competitors. Were it not for a reputation for poor crash performance, it well could have dethroned the Sachem…”
Pros: Best in class comfort, good practicality, good drivability
Cons: Poor safety, high maintenance cost
Silverhare Stepford
“…most expensive offering of the group by a fair amount. Its sterling reputation for safety, as well as its cavernous cargo area, are definitely worth considering. The rest of the package isn’t particularly special…”
Pros: Great practicality, best in class safety
Cons: Highest in class purchase price, very mediocre otherwise
Katsuro L-2
“…a sublime drive both in the city and on the highway. Truly unexpected for such a bargain…”
Pros: Low purchase price, low maintenance cost, good drivability
Cons: Worst in class practicality
Hampton Valiant II Prime
Note: Car equipped with radial tires. Creator accepted the associated penalties.
“…This is possibly the best choice when cost of ownership isn’t a consideration, but rather dynamics are everything…”
Pros: Great drivability, great safety
Cons: Below average in all other aspects
Deer and Hunt Goonie Base
“…and to counter Hampton, this is your choice when cost of ownership is the only consideration and a compact won’t cut it…”
Pros: Relatively low purchase cost, low maintenance cost, good practicality
Cons: Poor comfort, poor safety
Anhultz Dione V C*
“…possibly even more comfortable than the Sachem. Our staff found it rather unwieldy to drive, particularly around town…”
Pros: great comfort, relatively low maintenance cost
Cons: Poor drivability, subpar safety
Ardent Chesapeake S Wagon
“…a proper family wagon that can seat 8. Just a bit too much power from the 289 Toledo V8 makes town driving a bit of a drag…”
Pros: Best in class practicality, good safety
Cons: Worst in class drivability, high purchase cost, high maintenance cost
Courageux Ambronay B 1300
Note: Car equipped with radial tires. Creator accepted the associated penalties.
“…inexpensive to get into and keep running. Might want to save up some money for the chiropractor however…”
Pros: Lowest in class purchase price, lowest in class maintenance cost
Cons: Worst in class comfort, poor drivability
Rocha Madison II 630
“…although the seats were much less stiff than the Ambronay, we’re not sure it justifies the higher price tag…”
Pros: Good safety, relatively low purchase cost
Cons: Poor practicality, poor drivability, poor comfort
Dominion Atlantic V8 Sedan
“…a rare swing and miss by Dominion has us wishing for so much more…”
Pros: Mediocre comfort
Cons: Literally everything else
Best of Utility Class - 1966
Bogliq Haulstar 337U
This year’s crop of Utility vehicles came in an incredibly wide array of sizes and shapes. Yet somehow, through it all, this way something blue has come. That’s right, Bogliq and their Haulstar 337U have swept away another class.
We again see a pattern in the drivetrain and suspension setup, with a V6, 3-speed floor-shifted automatic, and wishbone-and-spring suspension. With this coupe utility, Bogliq’s body-on-frame chassis is not the slightest bit out of place.
What is surprising for Bogliq is that they didn’t come anywhere near the title for being least expensive. Quite the opposite, in this case their offering is middle-of-the-road as far as costs. But its true three-quarter ton load rating, bed long enough to haul plywood, and fantastically planted feel on the road are good enough to come away with the title, if not by a large margin.
Katsuro X-2
“…innovative crew cab pickup normally reserved for heavier duty trucks. With how this handled our obstacle course, we can see this being used by the Forest Service…”
Pros: Low maintenance cost, great offroad
Cons: Subpar utility
Anhultz Dione V BX
“…reasonably sized coupe utility that is easy on gas…”
Pros: Great fuel economy, good utility, good drivability
Cons: High purchase cost
Hampton Transtar 2.0 (TIE)
Car equipped with radial tires. Designer has accepted the accompanying penalties.
“…excellent, inexpensive van that can be maneuvered at just about any job site…”
Pros: Best in class drivability, low purchase cost
Cons: Subpar offroad, high maintenance cost
Earl Thriftmaster 8-door (TIE)
“…less costly to procure than a Hampton, and cheaper to run. This one is less likely to be a good choice for construction trades, however…”
Pros: Low purchase cost, good fuel economy, good drivability
Cons: Poor offroad, poor utility
Courageux Porter
Car equipped with radial tires. Designer has accepted the accompanying penalties.
“…bargain-basement small van. We feel this would be best left to handyman services that don’t need to do any serious carrying…”
Pros: Lowest in class purchase price, low maintenance cost, best in class fuel economy
Cons: Worst in class utility, poor offroad
Dominion Labrador Stylemaster
“…overall a good, solid package for a work truck…”
Pros: Good utility, well balanced other than cons
Cons: Worst in class drivability, worst in class fuel economy
CCM TopPick 3Auto
“…undisputed champion of hauling in the entire class. There is a price to be paid for that title, however…”
Pros: Best in class utility, good offroad
Cons: Worst in class maintenance costs, poor in all other categories
Ardent A100 4WD
“…cheap to run and a competent 3/4 ton hauler. Ardent has hampered themselves with pricing, and the geriatric Vela engine is just too thirsty…”
Pros: Low maintenance cost
Cons: Highest in class purchase price, poor fuel economy, poor offroad, poor drivability
Rocha Cargo 421
“…riddled with embarassing design flaws, the Rocha Cargo 421 seems to be an embarassing step backwards from a company that was trying to bury its past…”
Pros: Relatively low purchase cost
Cons: Poor in all other aspects
Best of Muscle Car Class - 1966
Hampton Valiant V8 5.0
Car equipped with radial tires. Designer has accepted the accompanying penalties.
Over the past couple of years, there has definitely been a battle brewing for supremacy in power. Models once called family sedans have added fire-breathing cousins to the lineup, bringing danger and thrills around every corner for their owners. This group was indeed thrilling for us, not just for the cars, but to see if Bogliq would make a clean sweep. It was not destined to be, thanks to a Valiant effort.
Under the hood of our winner, the Hamption Valiant V8 5.0, is just what the name implies. A 5.0 liter V8. That’s 305 cubic inches, in this part of the world. While it’s not the most powerful of the bunch at 245 horsepower (that honor goes to Charge at 293 horses), the overall package of the Hampton makes it the best of the bunch this year.
In fact, it did not need to be the most powerful to net the fastest 0-60 acceleration time of the group at 7 seconds flat, thanks in part to beefy tires and a 4-speed manual transmission. Its suspension is also set up to carve corners, and gave us the best overall driving experience in the group.
This does come at a cost, quite literally in the Valiant’s case. Its sticker comes in a full 33% higher than its least expensive competitor, the Deer and Hunt.
Bogliq Sachem 143AE
“…was almost able to hang with the Valiant, and earns our second spot, mostly due to its handling characteristics…”
Pros: High sportiness, relatively low purchase cost
Cons: None
Anhultz Dione V S
“…gives a good ride both on the track and on the street…”
Pros: High sportiness, good drivability
Cons: None
Courageux Ambronday B 2500
Car equipped with radial tires. Designer has accepted the accompanying penalties.
“…more of a pony car due to its price point and lesser power. Yet it is still potent enough to break the 10 second 0-60 mark…”
Pros: Low purchase cost, lowest in class maintenance cost
Cons: Poor drivability, slow 0-60
Silverhare Spear GTA
“…rather sluggish cornering performance, though made up for in the straight line…”
Pros: Fast 0-60, relatively low maintenance cost
Cons: High purchase cost, poor drivability and sportiness combo
Charge Wesson GSX 415
“…A beast on the streets when it needs to be, and tamable by its owner. Unfortunately, its thirst can only be slaked by premium fuel, and it requires rigorous maintenance…”
Pros: Fast 0-60, good drivability
Cons: Poor sportiness, high maintenance cost
Ardent Chesapeake GT (TIE)
“…doesn’t cost nearly as much to buy or run as some of its competitors. It’s affordable, and will give at least one thrill…”
Pros: Low purchase price, low maintenance cost
Cons: Slow 0-60, poor drivability, poor sportiness
Rocha Madison RGT 670
“…quick off the line and can he handled by even the meek among drivers. Perhaps that’s because it can’t really handle sharply enough to get itself in trouble…”
Pros: Fast 0-60, best in class drivability
Cons: Poor sportiness, high purchase cost, high maintenance cost
Katsuro A-R15
“…a V8 can’t make this pegasus fly, so a pony it shall remain…”
Pros: Good drivability, low purchase price
Cons: Worst in class 0-60, poor sportiness
Dominion Atlantic Stag
“…premium-thirsty monster that costs nearly as much as a Valiant without the fun factor…”
Pros: Decent sportiness
Cons: High purchase price, highest in round maintenance cost
Deer and Hunt Fallow RUT
“…definitely a niche vehicle. Deer and Hunt continues on the RUT line, though public interest in it may not be high in the face of competitive hardtops and coupes…”
Pros: Lowest in class purchase price, relatively low maintenance cost
Cons: Literally everything else
Best Engine - 1966
Katsuro L6-2.6
+5 Point Relative Rating bonus
It seems over the past year or so, manufacturers have decided to up their games as far as power and overall speed of their cars. This kind of pulse-racing drive may be fine for the thrill seeker, but for the average driver, it can cause issues. As much as we love the sound and thrill of driving vehicles powered by such beasts as the Rocha Rocket, Ardent Triple Three, or Silverhare Caliber, our overall approval is not to be any of their ilk this year. In that spirit, our staff returned a verdict that may surprise some as far as our favorite engine.
It’s a mere 159 cubic inch, straight-six engine from Katsuro. With well under 100 horsepower and a fair amount of throttle lag, the L6-2.6 isn’t even the slightest bit sporty. But it is sublimely smooth and quiet, with reliability that would make a Swiss timepiece look sloppy. To top of its trifecta of usability for the every-man, it is very inexpensive to feed and run.
These are the details that, while seemingly mundane, make a truly spectacular motor.
GENERAL ENGINE ADVISORY
Six years ago we issued our first special engine advisory, warning about the aluminum Courageaux engine available in 1960. Since then, we have seen exceptionally poor designs pop up every few years. With that in mind, this will be the first year of our new “General Engine Advisory”. From here on, we will detail the most disconcerting engine choice we have come across each year.
It seems that our staff have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Katsuro. Soaring to great heights and capturing our Engine of the Year award for their L6-2.6, Katsuro also falls from grace with their A4-1.6 four-cylinder engine. While very inexpensive to operate and reasonably reliable, the A4 is one of the most unrefined, raucous engines we tested this year. In fact, the three loudest engines tested were all Katsuros.
Between its coarse manners and low power output, we just can’t recommend models equipped with this motor. We’d really rather drive something with an Ardent Eridani V6, and even that is a pretty low bar in and of itself.
Visual Design Honorable Mentions
Silverhare Spear GTA
Dominion Atlantic V8 Sedan
1960 Reliability Rankings
Anhultz - 62.03
Katsuro - 60.1
Earl/Silverhare - 59.48
Courageaux - 57.38
Bogliq - 57.13 (TIE)
Rocha - 57.13 (TIE)
Charge - 56.85
Dominion - 56.83
Ardent - 56.45
Deer and Hunt - 54.78
Hampton - 53.6
1966 Relative Ratings
Bogliq - 100
Katsuro - 88.45
Anhultz - 84.28
Hampton - 83.98
Earl/Silverhare - 83.86
Charge - 80.86
Courageax - 74.45
Deer and Hunt - 64.74
Ardent - 64.03
Dominion - 58.90
Rocha - 56.20
