I totally didn’t use the same font either 
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Ardent Headquarters
Tuesday, October 9, 1979
Engineering Department Memorandum. For Internal Use Only.
Attn Engineering Division Employees:
The following is a summation of policies being implemented effective January 1st, 1980, as part of CEO Matthew Seldon’s “Path to the Future” strategy. All employees are expected to fully comply with policies applicable to their department no later than the implementation date.
- Smoking will no longer be allowed inside any Ardent Motors Corporation building, facility, or company vehicle. Smoking areas will be set up by Facilities near all building entrances. Smokers are to use these areas or their own personal vehicles, and must do so during their breaks or lunches.
- Ardent will provide an extension to all existing health insurance plans to 90% of programs and/or treatment to quit smoking and/or drinking for all Ardent employees. Use of this plan is optional; the choice of what is best for you is your own, but we are here to help if you want it.
- The corporate cafeteria will begin carrying an expanded range of lighter meal options, to be served alongside the existing daily menu.
- Consumption of alcohol on Ardent premises is strictly forbidden at any time, with the exception of company parties sanctioned by the office of the CEO. These are currently the 4th of July and Christmas parties. Any other functions will be announced by memorandum at least one month in advance.
- In accordance with our values as a clean workplace, employees may be subject to random screening for illegal drugs.
- All section heads must select at least two employees to complete a CPR and First Aid certification course. This course will be paid for by Ardent Motors Corporation.
In addition to the above policies, The Executives have departmental-specific directives for the Engineering Division.
- A complete, rolling refresh of the entire model lineup, to be completed no later than the 1986 Model Year.
- Develop new front-wheel drive platforms for the Chancellor and Marathon, modernizing two venerable, popular nameplates.
- Develop adaptable drivetrain components to allow small-platform vehicles to utilize existing Ardent 4-cylinder engines or the new, upcoming Toledo 4-cylinder.
- Full redesigns of the Taurus V8, Eridani V6, and Vela-6 engines, with focus on increased efficiency and reduced operational cost.
- Co-development of new compact pickup platform with Suzume.
- Development of new safety systems, to bring Ardent’s models to the forefront of technology.
Matthew Seldon extends his thanks to all Engineering Division employees who helped make 1979, and particularly the relaunch of the Sentinel and all-new Piper, such a strong success. We look forward to continued momentum in 1980 and beyond!
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Sinistra Motors Headquarters, Nevada
June 3, 1982
Luke glared at the Design Team, before throwing a few pictures down on the desk. “So, who’s idea was it to make the Swift a compact, when we already had the Traville as a compact? One of these needs to become a midsize in the next revision cycle, we can’t have two compacts and no midsize offering.”
“Was my idea, sir.” John said, looking at Luke. “I thought… Maybe a somewhat sporty compact would help our lineup. Next generation, we’ll make the Swift grow up, it just makes sense.”
“And Jeff, how’s the new project going?” Luke asked.
“Project Sunbolt is coming along well. We had to make a new 3 liter V6 for it, the 3.9 is just too big. But it should be available for testing in '84, and with any luck, we’ll be able to present it in '85.”
“And how will it handle?”
“Well, it should be a sports car, so it hopefully will be sporty. Luke, will you sign off on this plan for Project Sunbolt?”
“Yeah, I’ll sign off on it. And get Project Twin-Snail into testing with it, too. I want to drive this car.”
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IP OF AMERICA HEADQUARTERS
AUGUST OF 1980
“It is a hard time selling cars nowadays. The economy is going into a deep recession and we never know when a fuel crisis will strike again.”
“Oh, yes, you are so right. But at least we are in the right end of the market when being struck by bad times.”
“But how much will Joe Average be willing to sacrifice for the sake of economy?”
“Anything! Believe me. Anything!”
To be continued
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Reminder: This round’s deadline is Sunday night, not Thursday morning.
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Maintaining Epoch’s mission of affordable motoring that is reliable and engaging, the Epoch A14 provides owners with a zest and spark that no other vehicle on the road can offer. Featuring a modern and dependable front-wheel-drive platform, powered by a smooth and efficient 1.4L engine, the A14 maintains a sense of enthusiasm and purpose. Test drive today, and discover your own sense of Epoch.
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Epochs: Now on a scratch and dent sale. May have fallen out of container after shipping. 
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How does American automaker survive Malaise Era? Simple. Make smol cheap cars that Americans want to buy. And this little guy made sure the BMW E30 wasn’t the only compact luxury car from the 1980s that we adore.
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Detroit, Michigan
William Bennett: Madame President, it’s time to send out the press vehicles.
Rathbone: Ah yes! the press vehicles.
Bennett: I would like a better showing in Motor World Review than last time.
Rathbone: Why is that?
Bennett: They criticized our low gas mileage and high price.
Rathbone: Olympus is a luxury brand. It’s supposed to cost a lot. Olympus drivers aren’t driving around saying to themselves, “Oh, I’m going broke filling this thing with gas!”
Bennett: Still, it’s easier to spin positive reviews, than rely on esoteric claims of luxury.
Rathbone: Fine! send them the new Gemini
Bennett: I’m afraid that won’t be available in time for publication. We missed our deadline, and now are looking at an April 1/2 year launch.
Rathbone: Look! You’re the marketing genius here. I really don’t care! I’ve got cars to design. You can send them the Limo for all I care.
Bennett: I don’t think I should. Besides, they already did the Virgo back in '79.
Bennett: I think we should send them the Libra, or the Capricorn.
Rathbone: Ooh! That’s good! We should send them the special Libra.
Bennett: The Special Libra?
Lore here>>>>>Olympus Motor Group - #44 by undercoverhardwarema
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To be honest I’m kinda running low on lore ideas right now. But hey, I’m totally here if you need a tuned version of your car or like a chassis or engine… So yeah…
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“We’ve been having complaints about the bumper design on the Adventure, they say it’s excessive and redundant.”
“Then redesign the bumper for the 1980 model year.”
Rado had finally gotten something off the ground in the car market, and by 1981 they were ready to begin development on two new projects: Project Strength, their upcoming engine design to succeed the current 2.3 liter 4 cylinder, and Project Bone, a new platform. Despite, concerns about biting off more they could chew, the projects moved forward, although they would not be able to reach production until 1984/1985, so for 1982 something far more modest was done.
One of the advantages of the Adventure’s double-solid axle design was that it made it a decent offroader (having a lockable diff as standard also helped) and 4x4 versions were offered as well. However, some buyers and employees at Rado thought that the standard 2.3 liter engine was too lethargic, and since the 4.5 liter straight six (too long) or a V8 were both not feasible, the only realistic option left for the time being was to turbocharge the existing engine. The resulting car made 112 hp and 143 lb-ft of torque, coupled to a four-wheel drive system with locking differentials (standard on all Turbo models)
Employee: “Well, at least it isn’t brown.”
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Click image to go to forum post
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Morning all. I am still missing 14 out of 26 possible submissions. I am going to be out of town until Sunday evening, so this is the last warning I’m going to be able to provide. Get 'em in!
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At the start of the 1980s, Erin was in financial ruin. Their strong range of cars had been whittled down to just two models, and they were in desperate need of reform if they were to continue in any shape or form. Enter the Nasaro, a new mid-engine sports car designed to revitalise the company. Competing in the same price range as the hot hatch market with its entry-level 2.0l Turbo model (shown here) and with the sports saloon market (i.e. BMW M3 and the like) at the top end, the Nasaro was a bold step in a new direction for Erin.
Styled by newly hired Head of Design Chris Famerley and based on a secretive late-70s project called the “New Sports Concept”, the Nasaro would go on to be one of Erin’s most succesful sports cars ever, bringing in the necessary profit to update the rest of their range a year later, as well as seeing incredible success as a Group A touring car machine from 1983 to 1986.
Within the wedge-shaped lines of the mid-engined Nasaro, Erin’s climb back to success was to be found. it was the car that saved the company both from financial ruin and indeed itself as a whole, finally bringing the odd British brand in line with the general standards of different car classes for different markets. When Erin had tried to corporatise before (see the latter half of this post), it had gone disastrously, because in the company’s heart to do so. But now, left with little option but to conform and rebuild, Erin were finally ready to become a proper car company like their rivals, and they did it with all the flair that had ensured their fairly continuous success so far.
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