Round 6 - 1981
Personal computers and game systems proliferate throughout American homes as IBM releases new PCs, Apple releases the revolutionary Apple II, and Commodore, Atari, TI, and others enter the market. Domestic oil supply increases as the Trans Alaska Pipeline is completed. Overseas, western Europe sees changes as Spain holds its first elections in 41 years, and a new Constitution is established. Moviegoers are treated to a spectacle of special effects as Star Wars premieres. The Camp David accords bring a framework for peace between Egypt and Israel. The comic strip “Garfield” premieres. Early in 1979, Ayatollah Khomeni returns to Iran from Exile, sparking great tension and causing oil prices to rise globally. Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female Prime Minister. Closer to home, security and safety concerns rise as the Three Mile Island reactor in Pennsylvania suffers an accident. Fascinating new products are launched in the form of the popular Rubik’s Cube puzzle and 3M Post-It notes. The US Men’s hockey team completes the “Miracle on Ice” and defeats the Soviet Union to earn gold in the Olympics. The country is shocked, and severe economic damage is caused, when Mt. St. Helens erupts in May 1980. The year closes out tragically with the assassination of John Lennon.
Economy
Unemployment: Moderate-high
Inflation: High
Economy: Recession
Short-term economic forecast: Potential recovery
Notable Social and Political Happenings
Personal computers and consoles become more popular. Spanish elections held. Star Wars premieres. Camp David Accords. Iranian Revolution. Three Mile Island nuclear accident. Thatcher becomes UK Prime Minister. Mt. St. Helens erupts. CNN launched. Rubik’s cube and Post-it Notes debut. Miracle on Ice. John Lennon killed.
Regulations
Fuel: Regular Unleaded (universal), Premium Unleaded (common in metro areas, uncommon in rural areas). Catalytic converters REQUIRED for ALL vehicles.
Bumpers: 5 MPH bumpers required. Most bodies with integrated bumpers qualify. If it does not have a discernable integrated bumper, bumper(s) must be added
Front lights and fixtures: At least one pair of headlights required. Only sealed-beam (including pop-up) are allowed in this era. Only one pair of headlights is required, regardless of whether they are round or square. At least one pair of turn indicators required. Exactly ONE pair of parking lights is required. Turn signals and headlights may NOT be placed in bumpers, but parking lights MAY. There must be some form of visual separation between turn and park lights, either by physical separation (separate fixtures) or color separation (Different color bulbs in the same fixture)
Front light colors: No red may face forward. Turn signals MUST be amber. Headlights MUST be clear or white.
Rear lights: At least TWO pairs of brake lights. At least one pair of turn signals. At least one pair of reverse lights. NO lights may be placed bumpers (however, optional red reflectors may be). If turn and brake lights are in the same fixture and of the same color, there must be a minimum of THREE bulbs in the fixture.
Rear light colors: Brakes must be red. Reverse must be white. Turn signals cannot be white.
Side marker/signal lights: Front and rear side markers are required.
Side light colors: Front side markers must be amber. Rear side markers must be red.
Mirrors: Driver’s side required.
Aerials: Long mast or retractable antenna required if car has a radio.
Fuel fillers: Fillers MUST be on the side of the vehicle (either side). Fuel fillers must be on the opposite end of the vehicle from the engine. Pickups may have the filler either behind the door(s) on the cab, or on the bed side.
Tires: No semi-slicks.
Safety: Minimum score of 26.
File Naming Convention:
Model: G2R6-(category)-(username) Trim: (MFR Model Trim)
Engine: G2R6-(category)-(username) Variant: (Whatever you want)
Export and PM me the .car file, make a post about your car in your lore thread (if not already there), and post an ad in this thread BEFORE the round deadline.
Vehicle Categories This Round:
Economy Car (File naming convention: EC) - An inexpensive car, typically of a compact or subcompact body size. Usually powered by a 4-cylinder or smaller, though some cars of this era had a small 6-cylinder.
Performance (File naming convention: PF) - During this era, a wide variety of such cars was available. This can include pony cars, muscle cars, personal luxury coupes, grand tourers, or sports cars.
Full-size (File naming convention: FS) - The largest class of car in a lineup. These can run anywhere from modestly equipped sedans or wagons for large families, to executive or luxury cars, and can include large grand tourers or personal luxury coupes.
Remember, vehicle categories are based on your company’s lore for the US market, there is not a specific body size requirement or type for any category…
NO NEW COMPANY REGISTRATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED
Round 6 deadline: Saturday September 19, 4:00 PM PST (UTC-8)
Companies now eligible in this competition:
ALL COMPANIES NOW ELIGIBLE (Except those withdrawn or eliminated/dropped)
The following companies will be auto-dropped from the competition if they fail to submit this round:
Charge
The following companies will incur a Relative Rating penalty if they fail to submit this round:
(none)
